Volunteer reader guidelines

How does the process work?

Volunteers will begin to receive works through email to consider during the winter break, likely within a few days after the submission deadline.

All information about the author is removed to prevent bias from the volunteer regarding the age, gender, or professional position of the author. By removing this bias, volunteers are able to focus on the work itself and judge the content accordingly.

Each piece will be sent to three different volunteers. If at least two readers rate a piece YES, then it moves on to a second round of consideration, which is the editorial board’s round. Comments made by the volunteers on each piece will only be seen by the project managers.

Volunteers may receive up to three pieces to read and consider at one time. Responses are expected back within five days. Volunteers who respond quicker will have the opportunity to review more pieces than others.

Responses should only be YES or NO. If you think that a piece is a MAYBE, say YES, and it may be kept or eliminated later in an additional round of reading.

Volunteer feedback

Volunteer feedback should include a YES or NO. Please clearly indicate which pieces have received what decision and include the title of the work.

Please include a brief explanation for your decision. This can be in point form with a minimum of three points.

Remember that statements like “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it” are not sufficient. Provide reasons such as “the plot was convoluted” or “the theme was poorly handled”.

Criteria for judging literature

Do not base your judgments solely on personal preference. Assess whether the piece is well written. Do not judge based on personal bias against genre, content, or style.

Pieces that receive a YES will:

• Be well written and polished
• Have correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar (one or two errors should not change a YES to a NO)
• If it is a story, have a strong story line, cohesive plot, and good structure
• Be ready for publication without needing further editing

Pieces that receive a NO will:

• Be poorly written
• Have spelling errors, lack punctuation or proper grammar
• If it is a story, have a weak story line, lack continuity, or appear cliched

Criteria for judging visual arts

Do not base your judgments solely on whether or not you like the piece. Assess its general quality. Avoid bias based on medium such as drawing, painting, or photography.

Pieces that receive a YES will:

• Be polished and finished according to its medium
• Display originality
• Have striking composition including effective lighting, good use of colour or lack of, and purposeful use of space

Pieces that receive a NO will:

• Be poorly or hastily composed
• Appear unfinished (assess whether unfinishedness is artistic)
• Appear cliched

Can I submit if I am a reader?

Absolutely. You are encouraged to submit your literature or visual art as long as it meets the submission guidelines.