Today, dear friends, I’m bringing you a truly special post – thanks to author Jen Garrett. We were chatting the other day about how important it is to have good critique partners and how difficult it is to find them sometimes.
Jen graciously agreed to share some of what she knows about critique groups. And she knows alot. JEN Garrett writes for, about, and around children all day. But sometimes she finds time to do the dishes at her home in Northern California. She also finds time to be the SCBWI Critique Carousel Coordinator for her region, query agents, and read mountains of books. How? We don’t know. You can find more about her at http://www.lexicalcreations.weebly.com
Welcome, Jen! Thank you for stopping by Picture Books Help Kids Soar to chat with us. And before I turn the platform over to you, let’s tell everyone about the giveaway that accompanies this post. Jen has agreed to donate a picture book manuscript critique…and I will donate another. So TWO lucky winners will be chosen and announced on another special post next Monday, August 31st, when I interview Moose, the dog in Maria Gianferrari’s Hello Goodbye Dog. To be entered in the giveaway, please leave a comment and tell us how you feel about critique groups.
And now, take it away, Jen!
Five Ways to Find Your Critique Group
Critique groups come in all shapes and sizes. Some are online, while other groups meet in person. Still others have a combination of online and in person interaction. Finding the perfect one for you takes preparation, determination, and a little bit of luck.
Writing Events
#1 One of the best ways to find a critique group is to meet other writers in person and exchange info. Where can you meet local writers? At local writer events, of course!
Writer events are often advertised in local newspapers and community magazines. You can also ask at the public library, college campus, or look for neighborhood bulletin boards near where you live. An online resource for finding these events no matter where you live is Meetup.
If you can’t find any events in your area, consider hosting one yourself at your local library or a local restaurant. Bring business cards when you attend to make connections with. I found my picture book critique group through a writer’s event. Actually, they found me!
Join Organizations
#2 Organizations such SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), CBI (Children’s Book Insider) and other writing organizations often host events that are not widely advertised. Consider joining and/or attending sponsored writer’s conferences and events. If attending the conference provides you with amazing opportunities – such as finding a critique group – then joining the organization will likely benefit you even more.
Online writing organizations such as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and WriteOnCon (Writers Online Conference) provide forums for finding critique groups in your genre.
Hone Your Craft
#3 The more you hone your craft by taking classes and attending webinars, the more you’ll rub shoulders with like-minded writers. An added perk to such courses is meeting fellow classmates who are also serious about honing craft. Don’t be afraid to exchange emails to connect outside class!
Many agents, editors, and authors host online courses and webinars. Here’s a handful of my favorites.
- Children’s Book Academy
- Institute of Children’s Literature
- Writing Blue Prints
- 12 X 12 Writing Challenge
- Kid Lit Writing School
Get Social
#4 Connecting through social media is another great way to find critique partners. Some Facebook groups are associated to specific challenges – such as Storystorm and ReFoReMo (Read For Research Month). But others – Subitclub and KidLit411, for examples – also have “Manuscript Swap” and “Critique Match Up” groups you can join once you’ve been an active participant in their main group.
Make a Comment
#5 Scroll down on your favorite blog posts, and see who else has commented. I’ve seen people connect through blog comments, but with this idea comes a warning: be careful not to ask for a critique out of the blue. Connect first and make sure they are open to exchanging manuscripts.
Bonus suggestion: Once you find a critique group, don’t be afraid to keep it on a trial basis for a while. If it’s not working for you or if your writing focus changes, then be honest and exit graciously.
LINKS:
Institute of Children’s Literature
WOW…Jen, thank you so very much! I know this post will be helpful to all of our writer friends…I’ll bet plenty of them are bookmarking it right now.
If anyone has questions that haven’t been answered in the post, you are welcome to put them in the comments. Jen and I will try to answer them…or will try to find someone who can. And don’t forget leave a comment, telling us if you are in one or more critique groups and, if you are, how they have or have not helped you and why. There will be TWO lucky winners of a picture book critique…I’m donating one and Jen is donating the other. So please spread the word far and wide…this is a topic we all need to think about.
Have a great week! Those of you who follow me on Facebook already know that I’m going in for some emergency eye surgery Wednesday morning. I need these peepers in top condition so I can keep writing and blogging. I’ll see you back here on Friday and Saturday when Susanna Leonard Hill will be back in the house with another book blog tour!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Thanks Jen and Vivian! I love my crit group. We are a mix of kidlit, each of us exploring various outlets for our creativity (articles, educational presses, PBs, MG and YA). A couple people are also illustrators, and getting their feedback on Picture Book manuscripts is helpful – especially whether it leaves room for the illustrator, and how “image-ful” it is.
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I’m so grateful for the illustrators in my critique group, too. They have wonderful insights on my picture book manuscripts!
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Thank you for this post Vivian and Jen. I admit to being afraid of critique groups for a long time but now that I am in one (online), participate in Julie Hedlund’s 12×12, and have another individual I exchange with I realize how important it is. The biggest surprise was how much I learn-not just from getting critiques-but also from giving them. Hoping all goes well with your surgery tomorrow, Vivian!
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Good points! Yes, I find I improve my own manuscript when critiquing others’ work, too.
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Yes, great advice and resources, thank you! Critique groups are so important! But I’m also glad you mention not being afraid to exit a critique group if it’s not working for you or at some point stops working for you because it’s important to recognize the moment when you’ve “outgrown” a group. Or if you’ve decided to change direction. We, as writers, should always seek growth and if you reach the potential of what a group can offer, it’s time for a change. It happens often, but I don’t think people talk about it because it might sound wrong or offensive. It’s a reality. Different people help you reach different levels and that’s normal. Don’t get stuck in one place just because you’re afraid people might get their feelings hurt. Find a group that works. Be in a group that works :).
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That is so true! There are so many reasons a certain group might not work out, and that’s OK. You need to find a group that matches your personality, critique style, schedule, and push you to grow as a writer.
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Thanks, Jen, for this advice, especially the last tip about exiting a critique group graciously if it is not working for you. I was afraid to offend the others by doing that, but your permission to do so has given me the courage to find a better fit.
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I’m so happy to hear that! In my own experience, members of my critique group have left, and new members joined. I myself have left groups because I felt it no longer fit my goals as a writer – one of the groups I had started! I’ve found it is better to exit graciously than pretend something is working when it’s not.
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Thanks for the tops and links Jen. What a wonderful opportunity to get a critique from one of you! You are the gift that keeps on giving Vivian. 😀
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I think every writer should be in a critique group. I belong to one that meets every week. I look forward to each and every meeting.
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Wow! Talk about an information packed post! I’ve come & gone from several groups that didn’t feel like a fit. I’ve now found a few trusted friends that give great feedback. I also learn so much about my own writing by giving feedback to others and helping them tighten their stories.
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I’m so glad you shared this experience! Sometimes a formal critique group that meets regularly isn’t the answer. Having trusted critique partners can be just as invaluable.
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I started out in a critique group, but it gradually fell apart as we moved in different directions. Now I’m trying to enter picture books and it’s so difficult to write one! S this giveaway is such a help to writers like me. Thank you!!!
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Writing picture books is deceptively hard, yes!
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I was in a face to face group for over 15 years, but people started moving in different directions and some quit writing, so I am now in one online group mainly;and a second one that I swap manuscripts with from time to time. It is a MUST as far as I am concerned. Otherwise, I would be just treading water and not getting anywhere. Two critiques as a prize. Awesome!
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I have been in several different critique groups over the years. The current group consists of 7 ladies who meet once a month. It is so important to get feedback on my stories as I am too close to them and the suggestions, input, and knowledge of other writers is so valuable.
I also have a critique partner that lives in another state so we share our works in progress via email.
I have grown in my writing because of what I have learned from my critique partners. Not only do we provide feedback on our stories, but we share what we have learned from writing classes, webinars, and conferences we attend. We support each other and cheer each other on toward our writing goals!
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Great job with this, Jen! So much help here–
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I found my critique group through my local chapter of SCBWI. At just about the time I was thinking to myself, “I know I need to join a critique group, but I don’t know how to go about finding one in my area,” our chapter posted a blog with a link to the established critique groups. Someone had recently moved near me and wanted to start a group, so I inquired and attended the first meeting. That was about 3 years ago and 3 “original” members are still with the group plus a few more we’ve gathered along the way. I have learned so much through the experience of critiquing others’ work and receiving critiques. I know my writing has improved, and so has the writing of my critique partners. Each of us provides a different perspective to our work. We use meetings to share and discuss our manuscripts, goals, things we’ve learned at conferences or on-line, and our ups and downs in the business. We support each other and have become great friends.
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I had to look at twice at your name, because you basically described how my critique group got started. I’m one of the “few additions” but sometimes the originals forget that fact because it feels like I’ve been there from the start. 😉
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I met my critique group at our state SCBWI meeting. We have since added 2 new members and 5 feels just right. I feel that we are all improving our ability to critique as we continue to write and attend workshops. Our group is entirely online. We meet at the twice yearly conferences. I wish we could see each other more frequently.
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I love that even though your group is entirely online, you make a point to meet at the conferences. I know sometimes distance makes a regular in-person group impossible, but isn’t it wonderful that we have technology to create critique groups anyway?
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I have been a part of several critique groups over many years and many original members have moved, stopped writing, or passed away. All of us became great friends and we learn from each other. In one instance some members seemed more interested in talking than critiquing. It’s a difficult decision to make if you feel it’s time for you to move on and try to find others who will encourage you, support you, and most importantly be honest about your writing. My online group is incredible and I’m so grateful for their insight, feedback, and encouragement! Thank you, Vivian and Jen for a wonderful post and your suggestions. Valuable information, to be sure!
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If you feel it’s time to move on, then certainly you should take action on those feelings. It’s hard when a critique group becomes more about socialization and cheerleading than critiquing and improving your craft. Recently, a member of my critique group expressed that we need to push harder on becoming better writers and less on brainstorming. I was probably the biggest offender in the brainstorming department, and I’m so glad this member didn’t just sit quiet and let us stray from out group goals.
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What a wonderful giveaway opportunity!
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Finding a critique group can be a lot like dating. I have been in several. My first was at a bookstore but it contained adult and children’s writer’s so it was difficult for us to offer helpful suggestions. Another group was formed from our local SCBWI. It folded when several moved away. I’ve met some lovely people in online groups, but as the “dates” went by, we discovered we weren’t a fit. I’m now forming a group from people I’ve met at conferences. Face-to-face seems to be the best way to match personalities, genres, work ethic, experience, etc. Hope your surgery is a huge success Vivian!
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Yes, I found the same thing about multi-genre critique groups. It’s hard to critique a manuscript targeting adults when you are writing for kids, and vis versa. The publishing environment alone is so different!
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Thank you for sharing this post. I am very fortunate to be part of a critique group that I met through the Spring Spirit Conference. This might sound silly, but one challenge for me is when you’re critiquing a piece that you genuinely love. Personally, when I submit a story for a critique, I am hoping for suggestions on how to improve. It can be hard when you feel that the piece is polished and ready to go when the writer is hoping for insights.
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I know exactly what you mean! When I’m in that situation, I usually ask what the goals are for the manuscript. If the author is looking for an agent, for example, then I might find some agents to suggest. Or I might find a few comp titles to recommend. In any case, I let the author know that I think it’s ready and tell them I’d buy the book if it were published.
Another related challenge is when there’s a piece that seems polished, but I don’t love it. That’s harder because I don’t have any suggestions, but I don’t connect with it either.
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Excellent suggestions! I’ve found a group through 12×12 (and now a partner through there, too) and a group through SCBWI. Good luck with everything Vivian! It’s the day after and I hope all is going well!
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You are so sweet, Erik! Yes, the surgery went really well…and I saw the doc in her office today for the post op…she says all leaks are repaired and the blurry vision should clear as the pressure builds back up.
I love that you have a 12×12 critique group..my very first critique group was also through 12×12…in 2012…and we are still going strong.
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I say THANK YOU, like everyone else. We do NEED critique groups and I am in 2 small ones. One meets once a month and the other meets every Friday. Since retirement I have been traveling a lot so I don’t always make the meetings and I really miss them. They are very humbling and most helpful. I feel my writing has improved tremendously because these people are honest and smart. SCBWI also has been a great help.
I hope you eye continues to improve and all will be well. Thanks for this post. 🙂
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This post is filled with many thought provoking ideas. Thank you for sharing, Vivian and Jen.
As a writer under construction, I feel it is important for critique partners to meet the needs of each other by supporting one another along the path to publication. Critique partners must be a good match. Expectations must be established. Encouraging each other to submit polished manuscripts ultimately leading to a goal of publication is a serious commitment.
Giving and receiving constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement help each writer to grow and learn together. Receiving vague comments and accolades of *What a great story! or You did a good job,” are not helpful to the improvement of the manuscript. Speaking the truth with deep kindness and a sense of hope are best. Critiques should leave a writer feeling energized and filled with excitement to revise, edit, and polish. Additionally, I feel all writers, no matter the genre one writes, can learn from one another, however, it is best to exchange manuscripts with writers who read and write in the same genre.
A good critique group encourages each other to be a SCBWI member and to attend writing conferences, webinars, and other writing opportunities. Outstanding critique partners read mentor texts and suggest titles. Supportive writers celebrate writers’ success together.
An excellent read: THE WRITING GROUP BOOK Creating and sustaining a successful writing group Edited by Lisa Rosenthal.
Thank you for the opportunity to earn a critique from you ladies. You both are admired.
~Suzy Leopold
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Thanks for your like Suzy. If you ever want a free critique send it to me. Would love to help you on your path
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Love your comments, Suzy! And really appreciate the critique resource recommenation!
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