When do you think is the best time to do this? Before it goes out for peer review? Is there any value in doing one of these workshops after you have received readers' reports and/or revised the manuscript?
So sorry for my delayed reply to this, Sara! I would say that the timing for a manuscript workshop is very similar to timing for working with a developmental editor (https://manuscriptworks.com/blog/developmental-editor-timing), in that there are many points at which it can be beneficial so it's really about figuring out which will be most helpful for you, personally. I think people *tend* to do them before having the manuscript peer reviewed, since peer reviewers' feedback will likely carry the most weight when it comes to the publisher's decision. If your workshop participants give you wildly different feedback than your peer reviewers, you might be torn as to what you should do. However, if you already have peer reviews in hand, your workshop participants might be able to help you figure out how to address the reviewer comments. It's sometimes possible to have your workshop participants serve as peer reviewers too, though this would be up to the discretion of your press and editor. It doesn't hurt to ask! If it's a possibility at your press, this would be a point in favor of holding the workshop before peer review. Hope these thoughts are helpful!
When do you think is the best time to do this? Before it goes out for peer review? Is there any value in doing one of these workshops after you have received readers' reports and/or revised the manuscript?
So sorry for my delayed reply to this, Sara! I would say that the timing for a manuscript workshop is very similar to timing for working with a developmental editor (https://manuscriptworks.com/blog/developmental-editor-timing), in that there are many points at which it can be beneficial so it's really about figuring out which will be most helpful for you, personally. I think people *tend* to do them before having the manuscript peer reviewed, since peer reviewers' feedback will likely carry the most weight when it comes to the publisher's decision. If your workshop participants give you wildly different feedback than your peer reviewers, you might be torn as to what you should do. However, if you already have peer reviews in hand, your workshop participants might be able to help you figure out how to address the reviewer comments. It's sometimes possible to have your workshop participants serve as peer reviewers too, though this would be up to the discretion of your press and editor. It doesn't hurt to ask! If it's a possibility at your press, this would be a point in favor of holding the workshop before peer review. Hope these thoughts are helpful!