Many of our members belong to critique groups and have found them invaluable in improving their craft. In this location, we hope to provide a way for groups to find new members and for those needing a group to locate or start one. However, this process is only as good as those who list here and keep their listings up-to-date.

Please let the Website Coordinator know if there are changes in your status (your group is closed or you have found a group and no longer need to be listed).

Groups can be in-person where authors or artists meet on a regular basis or online, where members exchange manuscripts or art and receive and give feedback via e-mail.

Following are some helpful articles and links regarding the pros and cons of critiques, how to handle yourself, and more.

Our gratitude and thanks to RMC-SCBWI member Kate Wilson for compiling the links and writing some of the articles!

“Getting Your Feet Wet” by Kate Wilson. A short intro to exploring online groups.

“Long Distance Groups” by Kate Wilson.

“Some Do’s and Don’ts for Critiquers” by Kate Wilson.

"Writer's Critique Groups: Where to Find Them" by Margot Finke, children's author and writing advisor, in her "Musings" column 1/05 on "The Purple Crayon: A Children's Book Editor's Site."
Personal anecdotes from a number of writers describing their critique group experiences. Includes many links, not all of which are still live.

"Starting Your Own Critique Group" also by Margot Finke, "Musings" 2/05.
General guidelines and advice.

"Starting a Critique Group" by Jan Fields, from the Rx for Writers section of the Institute of Children's Literature website.
Questions to ask yourselves as you set up group rules and norms.

"Critiquing in Your Jammies" by Gail Martini-Peterson (who organizes online crit groups for SCBWI Western Washington), also on the ICL site.
Helpful hints about group "growing pains," the mechanics of using email for critiquing, and how to give and receive critiques.

"The Give and Take of Critique" by Linda Sue Park, author of 2002 Newbery Medal winner A Single Shard; When My Name Was Keoko; and many others.
This article is targeted toward face-to-face groups, but her suggestions concerning areas to focus on when critiquing apply to any kind of group.

"Maybe What You Really Need Is a Critique Group" by children's author Pamela Smith Hill.
Guidelines for face-to-face critique groups, mostly concerning how to give and accept critiques.

SCBWI article

Starting a Critique Group is available to SCBWI members. Log in to SCBWI and choose For Our Members, SCBWI Publications to locate the article.

Critique groups often open their doors to new members. If your group is actively seeking fresh blood, tell us about it here!

Finding the right group can sometimes be a real challenge. We’re here to help! Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll post your wishes for other members. Perhaps you’ll find the perfect match--or maybe you’ll even start a group of your own!