AMC Info & History Page
[ Books for Sale ]
[ The Quill ][ AMC Newsletter ]
Mailing Address & E-Mail
Akron Manuscript Club
P. O. Box 13551
Fairlawn, Ohio 44333
E-Mail:akronmanuscriptclub@yahoo.com
Officers
President -- Bob Barrett
Vice-Presidents -- Olga Kurtz
Treasurer/Secretary -- Nathalie Ketterer
WebMaster
Anthony D. Adams
NewsLetter / E-mail
Valentina Ranaldi-Adams
Yearly Dues
$20.00
payable in September
Critique Guidelines for the Akron Manuscript Club
by Rae Hallstrom
Purpose: To help us help each other improve our writing.
Bring several clear typed copies for members to follow along while you read aloud. Prose should be double-spaced, 12 point or larger, for ease on the eyes.
In general, rather than “I like it,” or “I don’t like it,” try:
“I like this part because….”,
“I would like it better if…,” or “It could be improved by…”
We try to give and take constructive criticism in a kind and mutually beneficial way.
1. Does the piece hold your interest, or do you find your mind wandering?
2. Is it clear (but not banal), or is it confusing (in a nonproductive way)?
3. Does the flow and progression seem smooth, natural, jumpy, or discordant?
4. Does any particular word, line, phrase, paragraph, or scene jump out as one that is wrong for the context and intent of the piece, in your opinion?
5. Is it top-heavy with florid, excessive, tedious, or static description, including description commonly called “purple prose” or description that stops the action, the forward motion of the story?
6. Is the dialogue realistic, but not to the extent of being boring?
7. Does something specific distract you, take you out of the dream, and if so, what is it? (I was distracted by…)
8. Is there enough drama? Are the right parts dramatized? (Show me what’s important in a scene, Don’t Tell me in summary)
9. What’s missing? (don’t forget the 5 senses) What’s there too much of?
10. Is this a type of writing that you have little or no interest in? Do you generally dislike reading about this subject matter? (you may find it difficult to be impartial, and if so, excuse yourself from critiquing this time)
* Readings will begin to the left of the Club President and proceed clockwise. Critiques begin to the left of the writer who has just read and also proceed clockwise.
* There is no need to inform the group whether you agree or disagree with a comment or critique. You are under no obligation to edit your writing because of what someone in the group says. Take and use only what you like, what you agree with.
A Brief History of the Akron Manuscript Club
(The oldest creative writers’ club in the State of Ohio)
In 1928, Professor Pease challenged his Akron University English Composition class to pool their talents. Sixteen students responded and set a goal to write two manuscripts per year, with an aim to become published authors. Because editors required manuscript submissions to be legibly written in pen and ink, Pease dubbed the extra-curricular group, “The Quills.” In 1929, at the end of the semester, “The Quills” held a luncheon to celebrate their published works.
At that first annual May celebration, Pease founded the University Manuscript Club, or UMC, with the purpose: To help Akron area writers who might improve the art of writing through mutual study, work and association. He appointed Alma Gray program chairman.
The UMC held their first meeting on September 26, 1929, in the home of Harriet Wilson Ayers. Alma Gray was elected president. Years later, since the club accepted new members on the basis of writing ability independent of the university, the club's name was changed to the Akron Manuscript Club (AMC).
To honor AMC's roots, club members adopted the feathered quill pen on a scroll to be the club symbol. By 1962, club’s business was robbing the critique time and no one wanted to be bogged down as an officer. For seven years, instead of electing officers, AMC met in homes and the hostesses chaired the meetings. By 1969, membership outgrew homes. The AMC elected officers who found public meeting places.
AMC published two previous books containing the works of the club members. “The Silver Pen” was published for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the club and “The Quill” was published for the fiftieth anniversary.
In the year 2001, the AMC members fervently continue to help each other polish and market their manuscripts. This AMC anthology is to showcase the talents and styles of the existing members. The AMC welcomes all Akron, Ohio area writers who wish more information to contact the club at the following address or e-mail:
FOUNDER
Raymond B. Pease Ph.D. 1929-30
FIRST PRESIDENTS
Alma Gray 1930-31
List of Presidents
Doris Arbogast 1931-33
May Carlton Lord 1933-34
W. B. Kester 1934-35
Celia Dimmette 1935-37
Mary Miller Brown 1937-38
May Carlton Lord 1938-39
Evien Goldie Beaudry 1939-40
Doris Arbogast 1940-42
Marjorie Hall 1942-44
Dorothy Whittington 1944-45
Elma Peterson 1945-46
Pearl Laushell 1946-48
Leona Olsen Wagner 1948-49
Vivian DeWitt 1949-50
Alma Gray 1950-51
LeRee Martin 1951-52
Eleanore Hensel 1952-53
Alice Blair 1953-54
Catherine Dobbs 1954-56
Ruth I. Simon 1956-58
Elsie Teeter 1958-
Helen Gehman -59
Alberta Hawse 1959-60
Thelma Weissfeld 1960-61
Ruth I. Smith 1961-62
Vivian Preston 1962-69
HOSTESS CHAIRSYSTEM 1969-70
Ellen Margolis 1970-74
Lone Eisenberg 1974-75
Vivian Preston 1975-76
Eva Lemley Hamilton 1976-17
Catherine Montgomery 1977-78
Thomas Troyer 1978-80
Don Webb-Hamilton 1980-81
Joan Houger 1981-83
Karl John Jwuc 1983-85
Helen Backus 1985-86
Sylvia Martin 1986-88
Audra Carona 1988-89
Tom Raber 1989-90
Michelle Moore 1990-91
Rosalita & Gil Rowe 1991-94
Mike LoPiccolo 1994-95
Tom Crancer 1995-97
Greg Sager 1997-99
Allen Grimes 99-2001
Bob Barrett 2001-2002
Rae Hallstrom 2002-2004
Olga Kurtz 2005
Bob Barrett 2006