awl's script appraisal process is designed to ensure that:

• all scripts submitted to awl are appraised independently and objectively by at least three members of awl's reading panel;
• scripts are selected for performed reading exclusively on the basis that at least two members of the reading panel support the proposal;
• writers whose work is referred back for further development (and subsequent reappraisal if the writer wishes) gain some useful feedback as to why the play has not been accepted for performed reading;
• awl is able to keep track of scripts and to give a status report to writers on request;
• the identity of the writer is not revealed to the readers, so that any personal prejudices may be eliminated;
• the identities of the readers are not revealed to the writer;
• readers receive a modest reward for their script appraisal work.

Note that the following procedures are not intended to apply to competition night scripts.

Acceptance of Scripts

The Secretary is responsible for maintaining a register of scripts. Accordingly it is essential that all copies of scripts received are given to the Secretary in the first instance.

Any writer who enquires about how to submit scripts should be encouraged not only to read awl's Guidelines for Writers but also to submit scripts in person (i.e. at an awl meeting) rather than by post or email. They should also be informed that we do not accept scripts from non-members.

This is partly to encourage writers to attend meetings (to see how things work and to let others see that they are not just exploiting awl), but it also makes our work easier. For example, if a script is poorly bound, it can be handed straight back to the writer without incurring unnecessary effort and costs.

Even writers who come from afar should not be exempt from this rule. How can they possibly know whether they are going to benefit from a reading at awl unless they make the effort to attend at least a few meetings beforehand? We certainly cannot know whether we will be able to help them.

Any writer wishing to submit a script should be directed to the Secretary or, in his/her absence, to the person who is fronting the meeting.

The recipient should immediately perform the following checks:

• If the scripts are not properly bound or if the playtext is hard to read, they should not be accepted at all.
• If the scripts are printed double-sided, they may be accepted but the writer should be advised that a full set of single-sided scripts may be required in due course.
• If there are fewer than three copies of the script, the writer should be advised that the appraisal process may be delayed accordingly.
• If the writer's name appears on the script, the writer should be advised that our readers work on unnamed scripts so that they achieve maximum objectivity, and that we may need to remove the cover page or otherwise deface the scripts to remove identifying details.
• If the writer's contact details do not appear on the script, the recipient should ensure that we do have a full set of contact details for the member (some members fail to give full details on the members' register) and that some written record is made to enable us to connect the script with the writer again in due course.
• If the writer is not well known to the recipient of the script, the writer should be informed that the script appraisal process is for members only and that the process may be terminated without notice if the writer allows his/her membership to lapse.

Then, provided the scripts are accepted, the recipient should immediately issue an acceptance letter to the writer (Click here to download a copy of the letter) and enter the play in the register of scripts for appraisal (Click here for a copy of the register entry form).

Distribution to Readers

The scripts should then be passed to the Script Reading Co-ordinator, who will perform the following tasks:

• Remove all identifying details from the scripts (taking care to ensure that the name of the play is not also removed).
• Assign each of the scripts to a member of the reading panel. The Script Reading Co-ordinator may use his/her discretion in deciding which readers to assign. Broadly speaking, every member who volunteers to read scripts should be given his/her fair share of scripts to read. Having said that, the Script Reading Co-ordinator may simplify matters and speed things along by selecting three members of the panel who happen to be present at the meeting when the scripts are distributed rather than waiting for the return of a reader whose turn is overdue.
• Prepare an appraisal form for each assigned reader by writing the name of the play on the front of the form and writing the reader's name and the date on the back of the form. The reason for putting the identifying details on the back of the form is to make it possible to show the forms to the writer without revealing the identity of the reader.
• Give the script and the appraisal form to the readers, asking them to keep these out of sight in order to avoid any chance conversations that might prejudice the appraisal process.
• Take note of the readers assigned to the play and the date on which the scripts were handed to them.

Completing the Appraisal

The Script Reading Co-ordinator should then aim to collect three appraisal forms and returned scripts for each play. If fewer than three scripts are available, the scripts must be recycled accordingly.

Upon receipt of each completed form, together with the corresponding script, the Script Reading Co-ordinator should notify the treasurer that the reader is eligible for a "script reading credit". Each credit entitles the reader to a £1 reduction in his/her entry fee at a single awl meeting.

When three completed appraisal forms and the corresponding scripts have been returned accordingly, the Script Reading Co-ordinator completes the appraisal process by drawing conclusions based on the views expressed by the readers.

Broadly speaking, no play should be read in full unless at least two readers propose this and no play should be read as a Shall I Go On? unless at least two readers propose this. However the Script Reading Co-ordinator is free to exercise his/her discretion as appropriate, for example if the readers respectively say perform in full, perform as SIGO and don't perform at all, or if the readers suggest different changes to be made before the play is performed.

Finally, the Script Reading Co-ordinator returns all scripts and appraisal forms to the Secretary together with his/her conclusions, including an estimate of the running time of the proposed performed reading.

Scheduling

The Secretary then undertakes the following tasks:

• Record the outcome of the appraisal process in the script tracking register.
• File the appraisal forms for later reference.
• Write the name of the writer on each of the scripts.
• If the play is to be performed, issue a confirming letter to the writer, taking care to write any important details clearly on the letter (for example if the reading is subject to certain cuts or if it is to be a SIGO). Click here to download the confirming letter.
• Hand all copies of the script to the casting co-ordinator or return them to the writer as appropriate.
• Schedule the play in consultation with the writer, making sure that the writer understands the meaning of any notes added to the confirming letter.

The Chair should undertake the task of informing writers whose work has not been accepted for reading. There is no standard letter for use with rejected scripts, as these are best discussed personally with the writer. The appraisal forms, though obviously not the readers' names, are to be shown to the writer to demonstrate that the project has received serious consideration.