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Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) April commences in just 5 days! A little different from the November NaNo, Camp NaNoWriMo invites all kinds of word count goals, and all kinds of writing projects.

To support you through—or rather, after—Camp NaNoWriMo April, I am giving away a FREE manuscript critique of a manuscript or selection of short stories worth AT LEAST $500/£400/€450 to April Campers.

Is this giveaway for me?

Do you write in English or Dutch? Did you or are you going to sign up for Camp NaNoWriMo April 2018? Are you going to work on a novella, novel-length manuscript, or a selection of short stories? Then, yes.

What can I win?

A manuscript critique of your finished manuscript or selection of short stories.Read More →

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Happy New Year, everyone! To all the words that will be written, edited, cut, and rewritten in 2018!

As I was going over 2017 in the past few days, and was pondering the things I want to keep doing in 2018, one of the recurring themes was the wish to keep giving back to the community as much as I can. As you all know, I always organise a giveaway around the National Novel Writing Months, but last November, I couldn’t do it. Not only had I already committed to the Advanced Novel Writing with Harry Potter Special Offer organised by The World Needs Your Books, but I was also spent. I had taken on so much work in the months preceding NaNoWriMo—and I’m utterly grateful that I got to work on so many brilliant projects, don’t get me wrong!—and I was done. Finished. I couldn’t even complete my own NaNoWriMo goal, let alone take on more work by organising a giveaway.

But… after a week in the sun, and a month of taking it slow, I’m back. Re-energised, looking forward to what 2018 will bring, and ready to give back again!

To celebrate the start of what promises to be quite the rollercoaster—if I have to believe my yoga teacher, and she tends to be right about stuff like this—I am giving away a FREE full developmental edit.

Is this giveaway for me?

Do you write fiction or nonfiction? Are you planning on finishing a manuscript in the coming 12 months? Then yes!

What can I win?

Read More →

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Photo by Dave King

This past year has been more crazy than usual—on top of the usual madness I always find myself in, we decided to move house in June. Life is finally becoming regularly crazy again, which means the time has arrived for me to, once again, do the things I love. One of those is reading short stories, and what better way to get back into them then by giving away free story critiques?

Is this offer for me?

Do you write short stories up to 7500 words, either in English or Dutch? If so, then, yes.

What is a story critique?

A story critique is a critical report regarding:

  • Whether the story immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
  • Whether the story includes believable and well-developed characters.
  • Whether the dialogue serves the story and comes across as natural.
  • Whether the plot is well developed and well-structured. Does the pace serve the story?
  • Whether the story takes place in a setting that makes sense and serves the overall story.
  • Whether the ending has the impact it needs.
  • Any particular aspects you would like me to comment on.

How do I get my short story critiqued?

Simply email your story to me at marielle@mswordsmith.nl. If there are any particular aspects you would like me to look at critically, just mention them in your email and I will make sure to pay extra attention to them.

Are you going to critique every short story sent to you?

I wish I could, but there are only a limited number of spots available. As such, those who come first are served first.

Are there any strings attached?

None whatsoever 🙂

For inspiration, you might want to check out the wonderful article “5 Secret Tips to Writing a Successful Short Story” from the Huffington Post. Looking forward to reading your work!