Welcome to a unique online critique for the opening pages of novels. How it works:

Editor Ray Rhamey, author of Flogging the Quill, a blog on the craft of storytelling, selects four writers to participate. Thus each workshopper get 4 sets of fresh eyes, one pair being that of a professional fiction editor.

The writers email the first chapters (as attachments) of their novels to Ray, who then distributes them to the workshoppers.

After each participant has read the chapters, Ray leads an online, 2-hour critique session, evoking comments from each participant about the first 5 pages of each sample, and adding his own critique. The focus is on creating the strongest possible opening to compel a reader to keep turning pages.

The online session is done via Instant Messaging. Workshoppers are free to keep in touch after the session--this could generate valuable online critique partners.

Rule 1: it's about the work, about what's on the printed page. We do not judge content from a personal perspective (i.e. "too much violence"), but instead we focus on how it is delivered.

Rule 2: keep it positive. Begin your critique with a virture of the writer's work.

Rule 3: we talk about opportunities for improvement, not what is "wrong" or what we don't like. In fact, never say, "I don't like..." That makes it personal. Better: "This didn't work for me because..." Offer suggestions rather than tell someone what to do, i.e. "I wonder if this would more clear if..."

Cost: special introductory rate is $15, to be paid in advance.

To pay: click on the PayPal button to pay with a credit card or your PayPal account. The session won't begin until all workshoppers have paid.