Critique Groups: The who, what, where, when, and why!

Diving into the kidlit community for the first time was daunting. There is a lingo and lexicon to learn, along with just understanding the ins and outs of this new world and the community within it. One term that jumped out at me everywhere I turned was critique groups. Authors I followed talked about theirs with awe and thanks. Everyone gushed about how amazing and helpful they were.

It became a refrain I saw all over social media and all I could think was - what are they and how do I get one?? A critique group almost seemed like some unattainable goal that needed a winning lottery ticket to access. I am so happy I was wrong!

So here I will break down the who, what, where, when and why of critique groups to help demystify it for anyone out there having the same experience!

So, first things first. What is a critique group?

Simply put, it is a group (usually ranging from 3-5 people in my experience) that swap stories and critique them. That is basically it! But each group has its own life and style, depending on the members and what works best for the group.

Now the who...

Other writers that are usually knowledgeable in the genre/age-range you are writing for. However I have heard of kidlit writers and adult writers being in groups together. And cross genre groups as well. But if you can find a group of writers that know the industry you are writing for, that is great as they will know exactly what to look out for. For example, a group that know PBs might look out for word count, art notes, lyrical vs. punchy writing, etc. For CBs, they might look out for cliff-hangers endings, and quick pacing, etc. And if you write in a very specific genre or style (non-fiction or rhyme for example) it can be very helpful to be in a group with other non-fiction writers or rhymers. It is not necessary though!

Where? And when?

This is all group dependent! Mine are all online, so we meet on zoom, chat via apps like WhatsApp, and swap stories on google docs. But there are in-person groups that meet up regularly as well. It is all about what works best for you and the group. As for the when, that is whatever works best for everyone too! Some swap stories every month, some every few months. Some meet every month, some never meet at all! Figure out what works best for you and your schedule and find a group that works within it.

And finally - why? Why are these groups so important?

The "why" is so vast that it is hard to sum it up. Think of your critique group as editors, cheerleaders, and reviewers. They are a group of people that know exactly what you are going through, know the industry, know your intended audience, and know what you are trying to achieve. They might let you know what's working, what isn't working, what doesn't make sense, what needs more explanation, what is funny, what is falling flat, and even whether you should continue with the story!

But not every person can and should do all these things. Which is why it is important to have a group or two - each person might spot something different. Some might be strong in dialogue (I need that - I am awful at dialogue!!), some in pacing, some in heart, some in rhyme, etc. So having a trusted group look over your stories can help strengthen them.

Another reason why - these groups can be more than just critique groups. They become your cheerleaders, your support network, and tribe! Writing can be lonely - finding people that are going through the same thing can help! You can also share opportunities, competitions, when agents are open/closed, comp titles, and everything else in between!

A caveat : I am sure you have heard that too many cooks can spoil the broth. The same is true for a story! So make sure you keep your own voice and intention within your story. It is easy to try to incorporate everyone's suggestions - don't do this! Sit with their feedback and see if it rings true to the story you want to tell. If it doesn't, then maybe you need to fix that part but in a different way.

Another question to throw in - how? How do I find one of these groups?

I can lean into my personal experience here with my groups, although I am sure there are many other ways and approaches people can take.

I found one of my PB groups through 12x12 - it was the first place in the forum I went! We share stories once a month and meet monthly (on zoom) to discuss, although the last few times we haven't shared much and just chatted writing, industry, life, etc.!

I found one of my CB groups through 12x12 as well - kidlit writers often write across age-groups. It was via the FB group though that we came together. We meet once a month (zoom) as well and are still settling into a good rhythm for sharing things.

My other PB group was actually through a competition (KidLit Chuckle Challenge) and X! Someone was doing the challenge and put out a call to see if anyone wanted to swap stories. A few of us responded and we all swapped, loved the feedback, and just kept going! We have only met up once for a writing session (zoom), so everything is done via a WhatsApp group and google docs shared folder. We share things (stories, comp entries, pitches, queries, whatever PB related thing we need eyes on!) one or two times a month, depending on people's capacity.

And I have one more - a PB/CB/bit of everything group! This one started via a call-out on X as well. It was primarily for CBs but we have branched out as to include anything and everything! We started by sharing 2 chapters a month and now just share things as/when they are ready or needed. We also meet once a month via zoom and one of our members always has a fantastic slideshow ready with great questions to get us into the creative mood!

So my advice on "How do I get one?" - just ask! Whatever writing community you are in, ask in the forum, ask in the FB group, ask anywhere you can! There are so many ways of connecting with individuals and groups - you just need to put yourself out there.

Another great way of gaining a community is PB Party and PB Party Critique Trains. PB Party actually organises critique groups for the participants! I met an amazing critique partner and friend through PB Party and have met many more through the Critique Train! SCBWI might also have a local critique group in your area - check and see! There is also the 411 Manuscript Swap group on Facebook. I haven't used it myself, but there are often calls for story swaps and critique groups to be set up. Basically, just put yourself amongst writers and ask questions - everyone is wonderfully supportive and helpful and there is at least one or two people always looking for a critique group!

OK - you have a group! Awesome! Now what? Here are some tips and tricks I have learned in the last few years.

• Trust your people! It is really hard putting your work out there. Very hard! It is like cutting out a chunk of your heart and laying it on a chopping block for people to judge. Or maybe that is just how it felt like for me! But you have to trust that your group will handle it with care and just want the best for you and your story. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes and when you see your work getting better and stronger because of it, you crave critiques! At first, I wouldn't send out anything that wasn't at least the 3rd or 4th draft because I didn't want anyone to see the crazy messiness that is my first few drafts. Now? I often haven't even finished a draft and I am sending it out to one group or another asking them if it makes sense, or if the voice works. Or just saying "this is really rough but interested to hear if you think it is worth finishing..."! The more you trust your group, the more you will get out of it!

  
  

• Ask for specific help. I just finished watching Radical Revision with Michelle Cusolito - Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations by Kirsten Larsen and they talk in-depth about critique groups and have a great piece of advice - ask specific questions to your group! Tell them what bits you are interested/struggling with (voice, arc, line edits, etc.) and see what they say. If you are open to any comments, say that. But giving your critique groups direction on how they can best help you is a fantastic approach!

• Don't overcommit. I have been tempted when I see callouts to join new groups but I know if I did, I would be overstretched. And one thing you should always do is put time, care, and attention into your group's stories. It is not simply a quick read through and done. As I have learnt more about the craft, I find I am spending longer on each story and analysing it from a few different directions - hopefully that means I am providing more helpful critiques (fingers crossed!). But it means it takes longer, so just keep that in mind.

• Be nice! Being in a critique group means offering constructive criticism, emphasis on the constructive part! Every story has positive aspects - make sure you talk about them as well as offering some ideas or questions the author might want to think about. If you are not sure about your comment, just think about whether you would be happy receiving it or not. I have found that helps me!

Whew - thanks for sticking with me until the end! If you already have a critique group, I would love to hear how you found it. Anything you do that I didn't mention above? Let us know in the comments!