Before the five people enter the room, prepare one concise set of Board Papers. This is not a submission package and Stonecurrent Press will not receive it. The material remains with you.
Download the working pack and complete the Day Zero pages. You will need:
- the working title;
- genre or subject;
- approximate word count and current stage;
- a one-sentence description;
- a reader promise of no more than 150 words;
- a synopsis of no more than 750 words;
- the intended reader;
- three reasonably comparable books; and
- the opening 2,000 words.
Finally, write down the question you most fear the five people will expose. Do not answer it, soften it or use it to revise the manuscript. Seal it until Day Six.
Rules of play
- Wear one hat at a time.
- Support every important judgement with evidence.
- Record strengths as carefully as weaknesses.
- Distinguish personal taste from a demonstrable problem.
- Give each problem one practical next action.
- Do not revise while the Board is in session.
- Treat green, amber and red as signals, not votes.
- Remember that not ready is a diagnosis, not a defeat.
When the Board Papers and Sealed Fear are complete, close the manuscript. The Reader will enter the room tomorrow.
Privacy note: Stonecurrent Press does not receive or store your manuscript, Board Papers, answers, reports or final decision. Complete the pack locally and keep it with you.
Download the Day Zero and Reader pack (PDF)
A genuine free resource from Stonecurrent Press.
If this stage link was forwarded to you, please start at the main Five Hats page so that you receive the stages in the intended order.