Author Q&A

Author Q&A: Mary Collins

Author and journalist Mary Collins directs the manuscript critique program being offered by faculty from Johns Hopkins University's graduate writing program at the 2004 Washington Writers Conference. She herself will critique nonfiction submissions. A contributor to Smithsonian and the New York Time s, she is the author of several books. There is a separate registration fee for the critique program.

What can a participant expect to get out of participating in the critique program?

Showing your work to your mother or spouse probably won't move you forward as a writer. To crack the better publications or to sell a book proposal to an agent and then a publisher, a writer needs someone with a trained eye to look at his or her material. The Hopkins' professors who will participate in the critiquing program have all published in national publications and/ or sold books. They know the difference between decent writing and marketable writing. So many of my students arrive at the graduate writing program because a friend or co-worker has told them, "You could be a professional writer." Of course, the students are always shocked when they actually go through the rigorous process of producing a polished, published story. WIW authors who participate in the critique program will get the candid, fair and tough assessment their work needs and deserves.

Who should submit a manuscript? New writers? Published writers?

About 15 years ago I remember submitting a book manuscript to an editor at a WIW conference because I wanted some fresh advice, even though I'd published another book already and many articles in major publications. Anyone who feels they need a shove in some direction to get something moving should send in material. When I say anyone, I include poets, fiction writers and nonfiction writers, since the Hopkins' staff will offer assistance in all of these areas. There's no such thing as being too experienced for good advice and there's no such thing as being too young or inexperienced to aspire for bylines in major publications.

How will the program work?

An applicant will send in a copy of his or her writing to WIW and a Hopkins' professor will read through it prior to the conference. Personally, I usually write a two to three-page single-spaced comment (depending on the volume of material I'm looking at) and then mark up the copy as well. The professor will bring these written comments to the in-person 20-minute meeting to be held on Friday, June 4 . The author and professor will discuss the author's work at length and then map out a potential revision plan or marketing plan or both (depending on what the author is looking for). In many instances the professor will look at a revision to see if the author is absorbing the advice and making relevant changes.

Why are these critiques special?

When I first came to Washington as an intern for The Washington Monthl y, I couldn't get any of the major editors to sit down with me and discuss my work. Everyone was so busy. They didn't have time for such handholding. Look how hard it is to get editors at any major publication to even glance at your stuff! These critiques sessions will provide participants with the undivided attention of a top professional. These professors work regularly with publications like Esquir e, the Washington Post, Smithsonian and major literary journals. Hey, what I wouldn't have done to get the ear of such a person when I was 25 and trying to find my way as a writer in D.C.!

*Participants can submit work in four areas: nonfiction, fiction, memoir and poetry. The cost (not included in the flat conference fee) is $100, and space is limited. For information and to register, call the WIW office at (202) 737-9500.