Looking to improve your writing or share your editorial expertise? The Blue Pencil Café is a cornerstone of the Wordbridge Writers’ Conference, offering brief, one-on-one sessions where writers receive focused feedback from an experienced editor in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Whether you’re submitting or editing, it’s a meaningful way to connect and grow within the writing community.
Did You Know? The Origin of the Blue Pencil
The term blue pencil comes from traditional publishing, where editors used special non-repro blue pencils to mark changes on manuscripts. These pencils were designed so their markings wouldn’t show up in photocopies or printing plates, making them ideal for guiding revisions without affecting the final printed product.
Over time, “blue penciling” became a term for editing text, especially in publishing and journalism. Today, it represents the editorial process itself: thoughtful, constructive feedback that helps a writer’s work shine.
For Writers: Get Professional Feedback
Want constructive, personalized feedback on your writing? The Blue Pencil Café gives you a free 15-minute one-on-one session with a professional editor to review the first three pages (~750 words) of your work-in-progress.
This is your chance to get insight into pacing, tone, clarity, structure, grammar, and voice, all tailored to your piece and writing goals. It’s a fun, supportive space to grow your skills and gain confidence in your work.
Details:
- Sessions take place on-site during the annual Wordbridge Writers’ Conference and last 15 minutes.
- A valid conference ticket is required.
- This feedback is free with your ticket, should you choose to apply.
- Writers are matched with an editor based on submission genre and editor expertise.
- Submissions must be double-spaced, in 12-point font, and submitted as a Word doc, no more than ~750 words.
- You’ll receive confirmation of your session and editor assignment about two weeks before the event.
- Deadline to register and submit: March 18
- Limit: One Blue Pencil Café session per person.
Spots are limited and fill fast so please register early to secure yours!
Sign up to receive feedback here.
For Editors: Volunteer to Offer Feedback
Are you a professional editor or experienced writer with a strong eye for craft? We’re looking for volunteers to join the Blue Pencil Café team and provide 15-minute one-on-one feedback sessions to writers attending the conference.
As a Blue Pencil editor, you’ll be matched with writers based on your genre expertise and asked to offer supportive, constructive feedback on the first three pages (~750 words) of their work-in-progress.
Requirements & Details:
- You must have a valid conference ticket to participate.
- If you are also participating as a presenter or panelist, you will receive a complimentary ticket to the event.
- Editors must register no later than one month before the conference.
- You will be notified if your application has been accepted shortly after applying, and no later than two weeks prior to the event.
- Editors are expected to offer focused, one-on-one feedback in 15-minute sessions, based on the writer’s submitted work and your area of expertise.
Blue Pencil Café sessions are a fantastic way to connect with fellow writers, support the community, and make a meaningful contribution to the Wordbridge experience, as well as potentially meet new clients.
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