Services
Critique service and mindful writing
Critique service
I will read and critique short stories up to 5,000 words or poem manuscripts up to 100 lines for £35. Any higher word count, please email me to discuss a fee, but at present I am not reading novel-length manuscripts, or collections, either of short stories or poems.
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I work by email only. You'll send me your manuscript and I'll send back a written appraisal plus some comments on the manuscript itself. My service to you will include two (briefish) follow-up email exchanges if required, if you have additional questions or to clear up any points.
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In my critiques, I try to adhere to Buddhist principles of compassion and helpful communication. I will try to see your writing from your side, treat you with respect, but tell you as fairly as I can what I think will help you.
I'm happy to look at both general and genre fiction, and all types of poetry, formal, free verse or hybrid.
Contact me: dharmavadana@btinternet.com
Mindful writing
Courses are in preparation. Watch this space!
Thank you for your poem
which I read this afternoon
as I lay on my bed
not because I was ill
but because I was indifferent.
It took me past the walls
stuck with flower-patterned paper,
away from the sentinel presence
of a blank computer screen,
away from the books
mounting in hope,
beyond the memories
of last night’s TV-obeisance
and internet-haunting,
gasping like a fish for new images,
beyond the drapes
and net curtains,
out where the sky spins
and the trees roar
and even the dim autumn lawn
is a spanned palm of welcome.
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- Dharmavadana