Looking for a critique group? There’s 5 to choose from! Click below and jump to page.
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SoCal Writers meet every fourth Sunday of the month. |
Inland Empire Writers meet every third Saturday of the month. |
Bilingual Writers meet every second Tuesday of the month. |
Author Illustrators meet every 3 months. This is a book dummy critique only. | Illustrators meet every second Saturday of the month. |
Jump Here: SoCal Writers
Welcome SoCal Writers!
To support your writing, you’re welcome to join other PB, MG, and YA writers to get feedback on your pages.
WHEN:
Sunday, March 26, 2:00 pm
Submissions due: Friday, March 17, 11:59 PM
SoCal writers critique groups meet at 2:00 p.m. after our main meet-ups on the fourth Sunday of each month. Our next meetings are scheduled for:
- Sunday, April 23, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 4/14)
- Sunday, May 28, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 5/19)
- Sunday, June 25, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 6/16)
- Sunday, July 23, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 7/14)
- Sunday, August 27, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 8/18)
- Sunday, September 10, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 9/1)
- Sunday, October 22, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 10/13)
- Sunday, November 26, 2023 (submissions due Friday, 11/17)
- No meeting in December-Happy Holidays!
Please be sure that all submissions are in Word format and that you’ve familiarized yourself with the “Track Changes” feature of Word. To learn more, click here.
WHAT:
We break into subgroups by type of writing–picture book, mid-grade, young adult–then read the submissions aloud to one another and then provide feedback. We ask that if you would like to receive a critique, please participate by providing critiques to others.
| Picture Book (PB) | Middle Grade (MG) / Young Adult (YA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Submit to | Submit to Christine Creque at: Christine.creque.np@gmail.com
In the email subject line, write “PB Manuscript, (date of meeting).” |
Submit to Christine Henderson at: cmhwrites@aol.com
In the subject line, write “MG or YA manuscript (date of meeting)” |
| Submission deadline | The Friday midnight a week before the meeting. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you miss the deadline, you can re-submit for the following monthly meeting. | The Friday midnight a week before the meeting. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you miss the deadline, you can re-submit for the following monthly meeting. |
| Submission length | Send in one manuscript. 1,000 words or less. | Send in five pages (double spaced.) |
| Document type | Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.) | Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.) |
| Document name | GENRE (PB), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE | GENRE (MG/YA), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE |
| Document formatting | Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides. | Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides. |
| Document header | Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right) | Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right) |
| Example document | Click here to download PB formatting guidelines | Click here to download an example of an MG/YA submission. |
MG/YA writers: If you are submitting a chapter that is later in the novel (not chapter 1), it is helpful to provide a “here’s what has happened so far” summary. It is also helpful to the critiquer if you include a complete synopsis of the novel so they can judge the excerpt within the entire context of the novel. These are merely suggestions, not requirements, to help you maximize the quality of the feedback from your group.
First-time submissions: It is highly recommended you attend a meeting once before participating in a critique group. That way, you will know the process we follow. It is important you know the process as this is a moment of vulnerability for members of the group. We want to guide and inspire, not crush our aspiring writers.
For more complete information on genre and guidelines, please check out this article.
WHERE:
Zoom meeting
A link will be provided via email prior to the event. If you are a SCBWI SoCal member, you are already on our email list. If you’d like to be added to our list, please email Bev Plass at socal-ra@scbwi.org
Jump Here; Inland Empire Writers
Welcome Inland Empire Writers!
Come join other Inland Empire Writers of PB, MG, and YA to discuss writing and publishing and critique our work.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 15, 9:00 am
Submissions due Saturday, April 8, 11:59 PM
Inland Empire critique groups are usually held the third Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 1:00 am. Our next meetings will be held:
- Saturday, May 20, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 5/13)
- Saturday, June 17, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 6/10)
- Saturday, July 15, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 7/8)
- Saturday, August 19, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 8/12)
- Saturday, September 16, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 9/9)
- Saturday, October 21, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 10/14)
- Saturday, November 18, 2023 (submissions due Saturday, 11/11)
- No meeting in December-Happy Holidays!
Pages for critique are due via email the Saturday (this is changed for the March meeting) before the meeting at midnight, unless otherwise noted. Please submit to: Carlene Griffith at cgriffith7338@gmail.com.
WHAT:
WHERE:
Zoom meeting
For more information or to attend, email Carlene Griffith at cgriffith7338@gmail.com
Jump Here: Bilingual Writers
Welcome Bilingual Writers!
Come join other bilingual Latinx writers to discuss writing and publishing and critique our work.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 12, 6:00 pm
(submissions due 4/4)
The Bilingual Critique Group meets virtually the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:00pm. Our next meetings will be held:
- Wednesday, April 12, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 4/4)
- Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 5/2)
- Wednesday, June 14, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 6/6)
- Wednesday, July 12, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 7/4)
- Wednesday, August 9, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 8/1)
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 9/5)
- Wednesday, October 11, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 10/3)
- Wednesday, November 8, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 10/31)
- Wednesday, December 13, 2023 (submissions due Tuesday, 12/5)
WHAT:
We share all manuscripts via Google Docs for feedback. Email Cynthia De La Torre (the group organizer) ahead of time to let her know you’ll be sharing your MS. She will send an email with the names/emails of those participating, and you will then share your MS with those participants. Add your feedback to the doc, save, and send back to its author.
If you submit a manuscript and receive written feedback, don’t forget to reciprocate feedback. If you don’t have a manuscript to submit, but would still like to participate in Zoom meetings, you are welcome to. Do not feel obligated to provide written feedback, but you can if you would like.
Note: Every other month, we only share Google Docs (i.e. we do not meet via Zoom) and give each other written feedback only. And every other month, we meet via Zoom and share Google Docs.
Submission guidelines: We ask that manuscripts be no more than 4 pages long, Times New Roman, 12 inch font, double spaced, and with 1 inch margins on all sides. For MG and YA, feel free to include a paragraph at the top of your MS with background/setting/storyline, etc. All manuscripts will be sent via Google Docs.
WHERE:
Zoom meeting
For more information or to attend, email Cynthia De La Torre at socal-ara2@scbwi.org.
Jump Here: Author Illustrators
Welcome Author Illustrators!
This critique group is specifically for people who both write and illustrate and have a goal to create dummies that can be submitted to publishers and/or agents. The purpose of this group is for writer/illustrators to have their dummies critiqued by fellow writer/illustrators. Those who write and illustrate meet quarterly, and it’s hosted by Samantha Winkler.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 15, 10:00 am
Submissions due Sunday, 4/2, 11:59 PM
Meetings are held four times a year on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Picture Book and Graphic Novel Dummies for critique are due two Sundays before the meeting via Dropbox. For more information, contact Samantha Winkler at sjwinkler@gmail.com. Our next meetings will be held:
- Saturday, July 29, 2023 (submissions due Sunday, 7/9)
- Saturday, September 23, 2023 (submissions due Sunday, 9/10)
- Saturday, December 2, 2023 (submissions due Sunday, 11/19)
WHAT:
We will be meeting via Zoom with Breakout rooms of no more than 5 to a group.
After introductions, we will split into groups of Picture Book & Graphic Novel creators.
Spend time to create these stores that you can bring to the meeting. A book dummy is needed for the most positive participation. It can be line work, rough sketches with some color samples but please submit something to get the most out of the group. If you are a member of the group and you do not have something ready for the meeting you can still participate. The more feedback the better.
What should be critiqued? Placement of text from the manuscript, illustration elements and principles, pacing of the story, page turns etc. (the dummy as a whole).
Each member will have roughly 25 minutes for his/her work to be critiqued. Any additional comments can be placed in the CHAT.
Submission guidelines: The dummy should be submitted as a word doc or pdf to the Dropbox link provided.
Here are some helpful tips on creating a dummy:
https://taralazar.com/tag/how-to-make-a-picture-book-dummy-in-9-easy-steps/
https://taralazar.com/2009/02/22/picture-book-construction-know-your-layout/
WHERE:
Zoom meeting
If you would like to be added to the group, please contact Samantha at sjwinklerart@gmail.com. Don’t be bashful.
Jump Here: Illustrators
Welcome Illustrators!
We critique illustrations during our monthly meeting.
Illustrations We Critique:
Monthly prompt – Prompt will be announced one month before the meeting
Portfolio hot seat – Illustrator can submit their portfolio to be reviewed by the group. You can ask once a year.
Any kidlit related Illustrations – Deadline for submitting to Shiho (socal-ic@scbwi.org) is one week before the meeting so we can prepare notes before the meeting.
WHEN:
Aril 8, 10:00 am
Every second Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Our next meetings will be held:
- Saturday, April 8, 2023
- Saturday, May 13, 2023
- Saturday, June 9, 2023
- Saturday, July 8, 2023
- Saturday, August 12, 2023
- Saturday, September 9, 2023
- Saturday, October 14, 2023
- Saturday, November 11, 2023
- Saturday, December 9, 2023
WHERE:
For the time being we are meeting only via Zoom
Please email Shiho Pate at socal-ic@scbwi.org to receive the zoom link
Happy critiquing!
Art by Steve Bjorkman