Critique Groups, Part 3: Finding Your Perfect Critters

I’ve posted before about the six types of toxic feedback, as well as five reasons to quit a group that’s not working. The good news is, when you find yourself in this position (because you inevitably will), there are countless opportunities to go forth and find new, improved crit partners. Whether you want to swap manuscripts with these people individually or you’re looking to form a new group, here are a few ways to go about the search for your dream critters.

1. Join writing organizations. Seek out local organizations, like RMFW and Pikes Peak Writers, where you’ll get the most bang for your buck because you’ll be able to attend most events. If you write in a niche, get involved in organizations devoted to that niche: Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. And don’t just join; be active in your organization. Volunteer, write for the blog, show up to the lectures and workshops. You’ll be amazed at how many kindred spirits—and potential crit partners—you’ll meet along the way.

2. Attend events. RMFW, like many writing organizations, hosts an annual conference, a holiday mixer, and monthly free events. Many conferences offer critique sessions, where you can not only get feedback from other writers but also search for crit partners. Libraries and indie bookstores often host book launches, book signings, author interviews, and other literary events. These are all great opportunities to meet other writers and find new critters.

3. Take classes. Some of my first-ever crit partners came from an online writing course I took several years ago. We couldn’t meet in person because we were all over the map, so we exchanged feedback online, and I learned so much from them. There are all kinds of classes out there, from RMFW’s online classes to Lighthouse’s local workshops to UCLA and Stanford’s online offerings.

4. Use newsletters and message boards. Existing groups seeking new members and writers looking for crit partners often post ads on these venues. Keep your eyes open, and when an opportunity catches your interest, contact the advertiser promptly. If no ads pop up that are a good fit for you, post your own. I’ve used both methods to find or form crit groups in the past, and I’ve found some wonderful beta readers this way.

5. Get involved on social media. If you’re already on Twitter, you know there’s a vibrant writing community there. The same is probably true for other platforms, like Facebook and Instagram. There are all kinds of get-to-know-people events on Twitter, where you can spend an hour answering questions and chatting with other writers. Use these opportunities to make connections, and when you find writers who seem like a good fit, contact them about swapping critiques.

The take-home message here is to get involved—in your organizations, at conferences, and on the web. Getting involved is the only way to meet new people, which is the only way to find new critique partners or find your perfect critique group. From there, be sure to keep in mind what you want in a group and what you need at this stage in your writing journey. These things will change over time, so periodically assess your critters to make sure the relationship is still working for you.

Finding and cultivating the right critters is a challenge, but it’s very much worth the time and energy.