Online critique groups are forming now! If there isn’t an open group in your genre, send me a form and I’d be happy to help you start a new group.
Picture Book Groups
Group Leader: Colleen Johnson
Contact info: colleen@infinitecortex.com
Date this form was submitted: September 7, 2021
Accountability and critique group: The intent is to develop a group dedicated to working together online, sharing how we are doing and what we are working on. These would be through an online chat/meeting medium to be real time. This is intended to be supportive and assist with accountability for our work. We can decide as a group which of the working sessions will be a critique session for feedback. I envision meeting at least 3 times per week to work together. Open to suggestions on this too. We could stagger them to be flexible.
Structure of the group: We would start with a welcome and share what we plan to work on. We would start a timer and begin working for the allotted time (around an hour). Would love to keep a chat running during the work time in case anyone has to leave or comes in late. In order to keep it under the cost mark we may need to keep the whole meeting under an hour or we can start with me hosting then switch to another group member to continue the closeout. After the work time, we would share what we have accomplished.
When are critiques due? See above.
Do you submit via e-mail, forum, Facebook group, Yahoo, etc? This will depend upon the media through which we decide to meet. I am open to suggestions.
Number of members in group: 10 Members
Open to New Members? Yes
Focus/Genres: Picture Book writers and illustrators of all experiences.
SCBWI Florida Online PB Critique group
Group leader: Amy Moyer
Contact info: amymoyer47@gmail.com 772-919-2547
Date this form was submitted: Sept 18, 2020
When, where, and how often the group meets:
Facebook private group/ twice a month 1stor 15th subs due, critiques due on the 15th/1st
Members in group: 6
Open to new members? Yes (until we get 6)
What to bring to meetings: your PB manuscripts and lots of happy positive critiques. 🙂
Focus/Genres: PB
GetItWrite Critique Group
Group Leader: Taylor Girard (co-lead) and Melissa Hope (co-lead)
Contact info: Taylor Girard – taylorgirard@gmail.com and Melissa Hope – lissa.horne@hotmail.com
Date this form was submitted: 8-2-20
What do you send the group and how often do you submit? 1st submissions due 1st – 5th and 2nd submissions due 15th – 20th
When are critiques due? 1st critiques due by 15th and 2nd critique by end of the month
How do you submit? Facebook
Number of members in group: 4
Open to New Members? Not at the moment
Focus/Genres: Picture Books.
Range of group’s experiences: Intermediate
Online PB Critique Group
Group Leader: Sheila Fernley
Contact info: loves2writecbs@gmail.com
Date this form was submitted: June 3, 2020
What do you send the group and how often do you submit? This small and active PB writers critique group is for those who write regularly and want comradery and feedback more often than once a month. Your work in progress (WIP) that is up to 5 double-spaced pages (12 pt Times New Roman or Calibri) is to be emailed to each group member twice a month on the 1st and 15th.
When are critiques due? For WIPs that are sent to the group on the 1st of the month, critiques are due on or before the 15th. For WIPs that are sent to the group on the 15th of the month, critiques are due on or before the last day of the month. There will be an optional virtual Zoom meeting once a month to discuss WIPs submitted that month, share successes, and discuss challenges.
Do you submit via e-mail, forum, Facebook group, Yahoo, etc.? Submissions are to be e-mailed to group members.
Number of members in group: 4, including the group leader
Open to New Members? This group is currently full.
*If group is closed to new members, is there a way to be placed on a waiting list? Yes–for active SCBWI members
Focus/Genres: Picture Books
Range of group’s experiences: (can say something like newbies to published, intermediate, etc.): novice to published
StoryStellars
Group Leader: Michelle Ramirez
Contact info: mitch.ramirez8@gmail.com
Date this form was submitted: September 25, 2021
What do you send the group: WIP, submit from the first of the month to the 16th, then offer critiques to the end of the month.
When are critiques due? By the end of the month.
How do you submit? email
Number of members in group: 5
Open to New Members? This group is currently full.
Focus/Genres: picture books, fiction and non fiction
Range of group’s experiences: newbies, some published
My Best Picture Book
Group Leader: Julie Augensen
Contact info: Swivelskier@verizon.net
Date this form was submitted: June 10, 2020
What do you send the group and how often do you submit? All participants are submitting picture books. Fiction, nonfiction, rhyme, or prose. As long as it’s a picture book, it works.
We submit and critique two manuscripts a month. One during the first half of the month and the second during the last half.
To be a member, we prefer SCBWI members who have attended at least two conferences. Our current members are either agented or published.
When are critiques due? By the 15th and the last day of each month.
Do you submit via e-mail, forum, Facebook group, Yahoo, etc? We submit through a private Facebook group.
Number of members in group: As many as four with the group’s approval.
Open to New Members? We are closed to new members.
*If group is closed to new members, is there a way to be placed on a waiting list? At this point, we do not have a waiting list. When an opening occurs, we generally find a match within our writing community.
Focus/Genres: Anything picture book.
Range of group’s experiences: All members are agented and/or PAL published and active SCBWI members.
Seaside Writers
Group Leader: Christina Frigo
Contact info: christinafrigo@mac.com
Date this form was submitted: 11/18/21
What do you send the group and how often do you submit? Once a month submissions: One PB MS/dummy, or up to 10 double-spaced pages of MG or YA MS
When are critiques due? After the critique meeting
Do you submit via e-mail, forum, Facebook group, Yahoo, etc? E-mail
Number of members in group: 4
Open to New Members? Yes
Focus/Genres: Mainly fiction PB, but we will accept MG & YA, as well as non-fiction
Range of group’s experiences: a mix of experience levels
PB Groups for Author/Illustrators
Chapter Books
Wild About Chapter Books
Group Leader: Lorena Tejada
Contact Info: lorena.tejada1@gmail.com or 229-460-0600
Date Submitted: 6 August 2020
Focus/Genre: Chapter Books
Submission Guidelines:
- This group proposes TWICE a month submission: first submission on the 1st of the month, with critiques due by the 10th; second submission on the 15th of the month, with critiques due by the 25th.
- Each submission may be one chapter or up to 10 pages.
- Groups members will collaborate and adjust the above guidelines as needed.
Technology: This group will conduct monthly sessions using an agreed upon virtual meeting platform, i.e., Zoom, Cisco Webex, FaceBook, FaceTime, etc. The group will also agree upon the desired platform for submissions and critiques, i.e., email, FaceBook group, Google, etc.
Number of Members: Maximum of 6
New Members: If/when the group is closed to new members, the group leader will maintain a waiting list.
Invited Experts: Guest speakers, experts and/or other SCBWI members may be invited to attend one or two sessions. Invited guests should possess recognized expertise that would benefit the group. Individual group members may propose a guest attendee to the group for discussion and approval.
Range of Member Experience: A diversity of member experience is desired: novice writers to published, intermediate writers, those with prior critique group experience, attendance at a variety of SCBWI workshops and conferences, etc.
YA Groups
YA Writer Group
Group Leader: Amanda Whitaker
Contact info: amandagwhitaker@gmail.com
Date this form was submitted: 09-23-2018
What do you send the group and how often do you submit? Once a month send up to 3000 words.
When are critiques due? Due the first of every month
Do you submit via e-mail, forum, Facebook group, Yahoo, etc? Submit via email
Number of members in group: 5
Open to New Members? Yes
Focus/Genres: YA Fiction
Interested in Joining an Online Critique Group
Name:
Contact info:
Genre/s that you write:
Are you looking for a group for all genres you write, or do you prefer to focus on one, if possible?
If there aren’t any open online groups that fit your current needs, would you consider leading or co-leading a new online critique group?
Short summary of your writing/critiquing experience: