Paid Critiques
For an additional fee of $45.00 (over and above Conference Registration Fees) you may opt to purchase critiques of your manuscript and/or synopsis and a fifteen-thirty minute critique session with the reviewer of your choice.
All submissions should follow standard manuscript formatting unless otherwise noted (Courier or Times New Roman font, 12 point font size, double spaced with 1-inch margins). You will be contacted and provided with instruction regarding your reviewer's preferred method of delivery. Submission must be received by the reviewer's deadline.
The Conference Appointment Coordinator, Casey Miller, will schedule your critique appointment. All times are CDT for the virtual conference.You will receive the date/time/location of your appointment prior to the virtual conference.
Adding a Paid Critique to your choice of additional options will be part of the Conference Registration process. Payment will be submitted along with Conference Registration Fees.
PLEASE NOTE: The Paid Critique service includes only ONE critique of the work submitted. Critiques of revised pages ARE NOT included and SHOULD NOT be requested from your reviewer.
Reviewers Available
Please read each reviewer's guidelines as they vary per submission length and entry deadline. On the Conference Registration Form, you will be asked to indicate a first and second choice, in the event your first choice is unavailable. Critiquers only have a limited number of slots available. Selection is done on a first come basis, so be sure to register early.
Genre(s): Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Joni M. Fisher writes award-winning suspenseful stories about heroines who don't wait to be rescued. Her stories feature friendship, family, faith, and crime. Her books have won awards in the Kindle Book Awards, Reader’s Favorite Book Awards, Christian Indie Book Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and others. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Florida Writers Association, she also served on the Southeastern University Arts and Humanities Advisory Board.
What to Send: The first 20 pages plus the synopsis.
Joni M. Fisher has judged the Daphne du Maurier Award and the Royal Palm Literary Awards for over ten years. She also edited books by two bestselling authors and multiple mid-list authors. For more information, see https://jonimfisher.com She h.as taught workshops on writing dialogue, research for writers, editing, and writing for magazines or paid blogs for over fifteen years to universities, the Florida Writers Association conferences, and writers’ groups. This year, she’s teaching her workshop on dialogue at the ACFW conference.
Genre(s): Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Multi-award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense, Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s an AWSA certified writer and speaker coach, and podcaster of “The Romantic Side of Suspense.” Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children and three cats.
What to Send: First 15 pages plus synopsis
I'm an award-winning romantic suspense author who's both indie and traditionally published.
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: E. A. Hendryx is an award-winning author, graphic designer, photographer, and podcaster living in Indiana with her husband, two dogs, and a cat named Pages. She writes fiction in multiple genres and spends more time on Instagram than she probably should. She grew up on a steady diet of Star Trek and Nancy Drew and believes that every idea is better in space.
What to Send: First 20 pages + high concept/log lines/blurb (basically proposal info)
I’m multi-published (so I love many genres) and I love working with authors at any stage!
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.lisajordanbooks.com
Bio: Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. She is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. Represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Management, Lisa also serves on the My Book Therapy leadership team and is a contributor to the Novel Rocket blog. Happily married to her own real-life hero for twenty-seven years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, crafting with friends and Netflix binging with her dog, Penny. Learn more about her at lisajordanbooks.com.
What to Send: 3-5 page synopsis and first chapter
Will critique contemporary romance, either full-length or short novel geared for Love Inspired
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Bruce is a multi-published author with writing credits in both fiction and non-fiction. Originally from Canton, Ohio, he and his high-school-sweetheart wife, Jeannie, settled in the San Antonio, Texas, area after a 21-year career in the US Air Force. San Antonio was home for 32 years until they recently relocated to Hickory, North Carolina, to be closer to family. Married 52 years, they’re the proud parents of three, grandparents of fourteen, and great-grandparents of one. Both are active in their local church, where Bruce teaches Sunday School, sings in the choir, and contributes to Sunday School curricula as well as other periodicals. He enjoys composing choral music, playing the 12-string guitar, and gold prospecting. Bruce’s fiction credits include a two-part Biblical historical series based upon the minor prophet Jonah, A Prophet’s Tale, (a third and final part being under construction); a split-time novel set in post-WWII East Berlin and present-day Berlin, Katia¸ with its split-time sequel, For Maria, focusing on the Kindertransport during WWII; and a split-time mystery trilogy, The Marble Falls Legacy, based upon a true historical hook set in 19th century Maine and spilling over into Civil War-era Boston (part three currently a WIP).
What to Send: First 20 pages with synopsis would be fine.
I love split-time, too, but a good representation of that may be difficult to deliver in 20 pages. I’ll look at the flow of the prose, readability, identify any plot disconnects/questions, as well as comment on grammar and spelling. The author should understand that this is only one person’s view of the manuscript, and there is always some subjectivity involved; however, I’ll adhere to common standards.
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fictionmagazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, 2021 and 2023, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.
Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website and read excerpts from each of her books at http://www.julielessman.com
What to Send: First 20 pages
Include synopsis for my overview only; will not be critiqued.
Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.carriestuartparks.com
Bio: Carrie Stuart Parks is a multi-Christy, Carol, Golden Scroll, Kudos, and Inspy award-winning author in addition to numerous other awards. An internationally known forensic artist, she teaches courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals across the US and Canada and is the largest instructor of forensic art in the world. Carrie is a popular speaker and presenter and has been the Special Guest at the Writer’s Police Academy, Early Bird Special Presenter along with Frank Peretti at the American Christian Fiction Writers, Keynote at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference, as well as presented at ThrillerFest, Daphne Du Maurier’s Kiss of Death, BlueRidge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference, and numerous other conferences. As a professional fine artist, she is a signature member of the Idaho Watercolor Society. Her paintings hanging in a number of corporate and private collections. She has written and illustrated non-fiction best-selling art books for North Light Publishers.
What to Send: First 10 pages plus synopsis. Participants will have a written critique of their work sent.
I'll be looking for ways to up the tension and create a page-turner.
Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Throughout her illustrious career writing fiction, nonfiction, and even children's books, Gayle has collected many accolades and honors such as the Carol Award, the RITA Award, the Holt Medallion, the Reviewers' Choice Award, and many others. But another thread has woven its way through the pages of her life--her deep passion for mentoring others.
What to Send: Chapter 1 or 10 pages double spaced, whichever comes first, and a one page single spaced summary
Critiquing is my superpower.
Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.carrieturansky.com
Bio: Carrie Turansky is the bestselling author of eighteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She writes both historical and contemporary fiction and is the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Crystal Globe Award. Carrie has been a member of ACFW since 2000 and looks forward attending the conference each year. She loves to encourage aspiring authors and pass along encouragement and ideas to help them polish their writing and move toward publication. Visit her website for writers’ tips and information about her books: http://carrieturansky.com/
What to Send: I’d like to see the first 20 pages or first chapter, and a one page synopsis with the genre listed.
I enjoy meeting one on one and will offer clear and encouraging feedback that will help you polish your pages.
Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.kathleenybarbo.com
Bio: Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and a family of three adorable Londoners. Though she’s an avid reader and loves road trips with her husband, if it’s a Saturday in the fall you’ll find Kathleen cheering on her beloved Texas Aggies.
Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and one very adorable Londoner.
What to Send: 1-2 page synopsis, the first chapter or first 20 pages
In your email, let me know what genre the book is and whether you’re targeting any specific publishers or if you’re planning to go indie
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site:
Bio: Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany now writes pop culture–infused romantic comedies for a generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. Bethany’s rom-coms have won the Colorado Book Award, multiple Colorado Authors League Awards, multiple Selah Awards, and been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s Vivian Award and the Christy Award. Her work has also been rejected by agents and editors some ninety-three times (and counting) and received some of the most glorious one-star reviews ever written. She’s very proud of her novels and even prouder of her two adult sons, but she considers her greatest achievement having met George Clooney’s dad when she was an adolescent, George Clooney’s mom on her (Bethany’s) fortieth birthday (when Mrs. Clooney sang to her and told her stories from George’s childhood), and once spotting George himself through a window, on the other side of a crowd of people. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case. (After nearly twenty-five years of marriage, Bethany can confidently declare he’s almost certainly not a serial killer as her parents once feared.)
What to Send: First 10 pages plus synopsis
Focus will be on voice development and strength of first impression
Participation of an individual presenter, agent, editor, or publisher in the ACFW conference does not constitute endorsement by ACFW. Conference attendees are advised to use due diligence and take personal responsibility when choosing industry professionals with whom to schedule appointments or enter into agreement.