6 Ways to Find Critique Partners

Here’s a fun story. 

When my then-fiancé and now-husband got into design school in NYC, he had to find an apartment. He looked for a long time, desperate to find a living space that was larger than an oversized closet. His search brought him to Brooklyn, and he finally got in touch with someone looking for a roommate who had a promising apartment. Our conversation went something like this:

Him: I’m meeting with a guy today about becoming roommates. 

Me: Awesome! Does he seem nice?

Him: Yeah. He’s an editor at [insert name of Big 5 Publisher].

Me: …

Him: But we’ll see. The rent’s a little over my budget, so I may—”

Me: TAKE THE APARTMENT. 

Okay, I wasn’t that extra :) 

But I was super excited to meet the editor. We’ll call him Fred. At that point, I had already written my first book, a YA dystopia that will never again see the light of day because it is terrible. Around the time my husband moved in with Fred, I’d started writing a new book. I planned to query it, and had begun researching the strange and wonderful world of traditional publishing. Meeting a children’s book editor? It was like meeting a celebrity! Feeling star-struck by publishing professionals is common for aspiring authors. But as these professionals like to say, and as I eventually learned, they really are just normal, down-to-earth people. Thankfully, I had enough social grace to know I shouldn’t shove my book at Fred and ask him to publish it (PS…don’t ever do that). But I was able to pick his brain about the writing industry. He was even kind enough to read a few pages of my new book and gave me encouraging notes about my voice. I’ll always be grateful for that, and for the advice he gave me on how to get traditionally published. 

His number one suggestion? 

Find a critique group and build a community of critique partners (CP’s). He said every author he worked with had one. I knew it was important to share my writing with other people, but I’d never heard of a critique group before. It seems silly to admit that now…but we all start somewhere, right? 

What is a critique partner? A CP is someone, preferably another writer familiar with your genre, who reads your work and gives you feedback. If your writing is going to be the best it can be, you need feedback, period. And you need it from multiple people. You can ask someone to read your work without reading theirs, but that’s pretty rude. CP’s usually exchange their work. It’s a good way to develop a collegial relationship with someone and hone your skills as a writer. Good writers are good readers, as they say. You can request different levels of feedback, too. 

Cheerleading Read: You can ask your CP to only point out the things they like. Some writers prefer this type of feedback with early drafts so they know what’s working. It’s also a great way to ease into the process if you’re feeling nervous about sharing work. 

Don’t-Hold-Anything-Back Read: Conversely, you can ask your CP to point out all the problems in your draft. They can focus on what’s confusing, boring, or poorly written. If you’re going to ask for this type of feedback, it’s best to give your CP targeted questions so their criticism can be constructive vs. plain old mean. 

Goldilocks Read: I call middle-of-the-road feedback a Goldilocks read. Not too harsh, but not too rosy either. Most CP’s I work with give this kind of feedback and it’s also my default. This type of feedback includes what’s amazing and what needs work. This is great for any stage in the writing process as you get boosts of encouragement with pointers on how to revise. 

Regardless, most writers email their CP’s with questions they’d like them focus on i.e. “is my protagonist believable?” or “how’s the pacing in chapter 1?” Knowing what to ask about a draft means you’re taking a critical eye to your work, and that’s essential! 

So, if you’re like me six years ago and need tips on how to find CP's, here are some reliable and easy ways to get started.  

1. SCBWI local critique groups
   One of the benefits of being a member of the * Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is you gain access to all the local chapter resources. That includes listings for critique groups! You can filter groups by genre, location, meeting times, and more. Reaching out to critique group organizers is easy, and it’s how I connected with a few local writers.
   * SCBWI recently received criticism re: their interactions with a Palestinian writer. Their apology is linked here. I only share this so that writers, minority writers in particular, can have access to information they might otherwise be unaware of. As always, use your best judgement and do what’s best for you.
   

2. Author Mentor Match, Pitch Wars, and The Write Team
   Writing mentorship programs require applying and sending in material, but if you get into one, it’s an incredible way to find CP’s amongst fellow mentees.

   • As a former mentee of Author Mentor Match, I can’t recommend this program enough. Run by author Alexa Donne, it matches agented or published authors with aspiring authors. You not only get matched with an incredible mentor who helps you perfect your book, but you also get access to current and former mentees with whom you can exchange work. I met my best writing friends through AMM.

   • Pitch Wars is a similar (and extremely competitive) program that matches aspiring authors with industry professionals. I’ve never participated, but several of my writing friends have. I’ve only heard good things.

   • The Write Team, as described on their website, is “a sister program to The Write Cohort, [and] focuses on community and support. We strive to provide writers with a support system as they move forward in their writing journey.” This program is specifically designed to help writers build connections via Twitter. A good friend of mine Kalie Holford has mentored several writers.

3. Sub it Club on Facebook
   
   If you’re still on Facebook, Sub it Club is a private group for writers to connect with each other, ask questions, and share stories about their writing and querying journey. I met my first writing friend and CP through their sub group, Sub it Club Critique Partner Matchup. Angie Thomas was also a member of Sub It Club early in her writing journey. You may have heard of her :)

4. #CPMatch on Twitter
   
   You can use this hashtag on Twitter to search for writers who also need CP’s. There’s no guarantee anyone will see or respond to your tweet, but writers regularly use the hashtag.

5. Local Writing Workshops
   
   Depending on where you live, you may be able to find more structured critique groups through local writing workshops. I completed two workshops through Lighthouse Denver, and it completely changed my life! I would never be the writer I am today without the encouragement and feedback I received in those workshops. Unfortunately, most workshops like this do cost money, but dig around to see if there are scholarships or discounts.

6. Critique Match
   I haven’t used this site, but after doing some digging, I’d feel comfortable signing up if I were starting from scratch and needed to find CP’s. This website also has a great list of ideas for where to find critique partners. Full disclosure: I haven’t vetted all of these organizations/events/etc. or used them, so make sure you do your due diligence and research!

Not every option outlined above will work for every writer, so take the time to do your research and figure out what’s best for you. Specific Twitter hashtags and events offer writers many amazing opportunities to connect with like-minded people: check out my previous blogpost on Twitter Etiquette for more info!

Bottom line: No matter where or how you find CP’s, the most important thing for you to do is get to know the person first before sharing work. The one caveat is if you’re sharing work through a professional workshop or mentorship program (see #2 and #5 above) you don’t really need to do that. I wouldn’t have walked into my first Lighthouse workshop and been like, “wait, before you read my chapter I need to know your favorite pizza toppings.” But if you’re meeting someone on Twitter or Facebook, it’s a good idea to get to know each other before diving in. The best CP’s are people you like and feel comfortable with, so make sure you vibe with each other and have the same expectations when it comes to delivering and receiving feedback.

Happy CP hunting!

6 Do's and Don'ts of Using Twitter as a Writer

Hello Lovelies!

Today we’re going to talk about how to use Twitter to build a writing platform, or rather, how to not use Twitter to build a writing platform. Many of you may be active on the bird app already, some of you may not. Regardless, I felt it was important to create a guide for how to use Twitter as an aspiring or established writer. Not familiar with Twitter at all and need some basic advice on how to strategically use the app? Not sure what it means to “follow” someone or what a hashtag is? This blog post does a great job breaking it down.  

Why does this all matter?

When it comes to building an online writing platform (which isn’t necessary, but important imho if you want to become traditionally published) social media can be a helpful tool. It can also be your worst enemy. Whether you’re breaking into the writing world or you’re a NYT bestselling author, you’ve gotta keep some things in mind. So, here’s my unofficial guide to Twitter and the Writing Community.

1. Do use Twitter to build a writing platform

You might be wondering, why do I need Twitter if I’m a writer? Well, Twitter is an active hub for the writing and publishing world. It’s like that bar in Star Wars (the one Han Solo strolls into). It’s a great place to make connections and get information. It also occasionally gets messy and you may see a fight break out. On Twitter, agents tweet wishlists, authors promote their books and celebrate sales, aspiring writers search for critique partners and ask questions, general publishing news and updates are posted…you get the idea. Everyone from editors to agents to authors use Twitter, some of them primarily as a professional platform. Not all of them do, but many of them do.

And if you want to become traditionally published (or already are) you need to be part of a writing community. You need critique partners and beta readers. I’m sorry to burst your bubble if you disagree…but it’s true. Twitter is a great place to find such people. It’s also important to learn about the publishing world so you don’t end up shooting yourself in the foot. More on that later. How do you build those connections and relationships? Jump to my last three “do’s”. Finding and fostering relationships with critique partners deserves its own in-depth post, but I’ve got some resources in this one to get you started.

Okay, before we get too far ahead of ourselves…

2. Don’t be unprofessional   

As a teacher, I’m keenly aware of the stakes involved in digital communication. Every email I write to a student, colleague, or parent becomes a legal document as soon as I send it. So I better be able to stand behind what I write and keep it as objective and professional as possible. That attitude influences how I use social media, which is a good thing. Because friends, let me tell you…I have seen many writers act cuckoo-bananas on Twitter. And it hurts them. It hurts their reputation, it hurts their relationships, and it can irreparably hurt their career. Listen, you don’t have to act like a saint on Twitter. I certainly don’t. Sometimes my tweets include swear words or saucy jokes. Sometimes I’m self-deprecating. Sometimes I tweet vulnerable thoughts about my anxiety I typically wouldn’t share in a professional setting. But those are the exception. 

Most of my tweets fall under three broad categories:

1. Boosting or celebrating fellow writers (this is my favorite; I love supporting my friends)

2. Promoting books and writers I’m interested in

3. Building collegial relationships with other writers by sharing my daily writing tips, frustrations, joys, etc.

That’s it.

I should add I’m not shy about expressing my political beliefs on Twitter. No writer should, in my opinion. This is a post for another day, but writing is inherently political. *Writers are public figures with a platform. So as a writer, you have a responsibility to be vocal about the morals and values that matter to you. And you should never shy away from speaking out against racism, injustice, or inequity.   

*Edit as of 7/6/21: While I still believe there are inherent responsibilities with having a public platform, I also recognize that social media can be complicated and toxic. There’s been ongoing discourse about the toxicity associated with using and being vocal on Twitter. This blog post offers an interesting perspective. Bottom line: take care of yourself and your mental health first!

3. Don’t be impulsive—think before you tweet, like, follow, or RT

The internet lasts forever. Don’t be quick to tweet, leave comments on, or RT material you might regret later. Because you can delete a tweet, comment, or unlike something, but screenshots can’t be deleted. People keep receipts, and authors, agents, and editors have a long memory. If you RT something problematic, people will notice. If you make an ignorant or hateful comment, people will hold you accountable. This isn’t meant to scare you—it’s just reality. So let me reiterate: be professional as a default. Be confident in what you post. Be able to back it up. Here are some situations where it’s wise to think before tweeting.  

Situation #1: You see someone post something that pisses you off and you want to immediately retaliate. I’m not talking about a serious offense, like a racist, homophobic, or violent tweet. If you see anything like that, please, respond accordingly. No—I’m talking about low-stakes stuff…like a snarky tweet about your favorite TV show Schitt’s Creek (PS that show is perfect—fight me). 

What to do: Don’t immediately retaliate. Take a minute. Breathe. Do you really need to comment? Or do you need to take a walk around the block and maybe throw back a glass of wine? Usually, when we respond to things in anger, we say unnecessary things we regret. Remember that I’m-a-teacher-so-I-have-to-be-careful-with-my-emails thing? If I'm responding to an email and I’m feeling frustrated or angry, I stop writing. Because the tone of my email will probably reflect that anger, and I want to remain professional. If you’re feeling pissed, let cooler heads prevail. Nine times out of ten, you don’t need to respond. 

Situation #2: A controversy or drama breaks out in the Writing Community (trust me, it happens a lot) and you have strong opinions on it. You tweet or RT your opinion immediately. 

What to do: Wait and do more research before reacting. Make sure you know exactly what’s going on, read about different perspectives, and then determine your position. Sometimes we don’t have all the information right away. Take time to suss things out. And maybe, after doing such research, you’ll decide your voice isn’t needed. Which brings me to my final point…

You don’t have to add your voice to every conversation. Sometimes all you should do is sit back, listen, and learn. Have the grace to know when your voice is necessary and helpful and when it’s not. And in any situation, be careful with sarcasm. Snarky or dark senses of humor don’t always translate well online. Best not to post anything someone could misinterpret or misconstrue. Oh, and no one likes a smart ass. You’re probably not as brilliant as you think you are. So, yeah. Interpret that as you will. 

4. Do use popular hashtags

Okay, onto the fun stuff! Here are hashtags that you can use to boost the visibility of your tweets amongst writers on Twitter. Boosted visibility means more likes, means more followers, means more opportunities to build your writing reputation and platform. 

#Writingcommunity

#Writerscommunity

#Amwriting

#Amquerying 

#Amreading

#Writing

#Writerslife

#Writers

#Writetip

To find potential critique partners or beta readers, try using these hashtags

#CpMatch

#CritiquePartner/s

#BetaReaders

5. Do participate in community-building events 

There are tons of weekly, monthly, and yearly writing events that you can navigate using specific hashtags. These are the ones I see used most often. This site gives an even more extensive overview of events, but things are always changing!

#MondayMixer — Founded by YA author J. Elle, this is a fun event every Monday where writers “chat about all things writing” and respond to questions. Happens every Monday 7-7:30pm EST. 

#1LineWed — Each Wednesday, writers share screenshots of their favorite lines from their works-in-progress. It’s a great opportunity to boost and support others, and celebrate your own success, too!

#MGBookChat — A weekly event for lovers of middle grade (MG) books. Great for writers, authors, librarians, and teachers. Happens every Monday 9pm EST. 

#NaNoWriMo and #CampNaNoWriMo — Every November, a certain group of brave, intrepid writers decide to write an entire book in one month. I’m…definitely not one of them. But I do set ambitious writing goals and try to keep up! Anyway, you don’t need Twitter to participate in National November Writing Month, but people regularly post about their NaNo experiences using the hashtag. 

6. Do participate in pitch events

Pitch events are when writers tweet pitches for books they’d like to receive representation for. It’s a great way to find potential literary agents for your manuscript, and there are tons of success stories out there! Some of these events are saturated, and tweeting a pitch for an entire book is…hard. So, this topic deserves its own blog post. In the meantime, I’ve got hyperlinks for each one so you can do a little research. PS traditional querying works perfectly fine, too. So no worries if this isn’t your jam.

#DVPit  — For writers of marginalized communities and identities to pitch adult, young adult, middle grade, and picture book manuscripts of any sub-genre. 

#DVArt — For artists and illustrators of marginalized communities and identities. 

#LatinxPitch - For writers who identify as Latinx. 

#PitMad — For writers of any age and identify to pitch manuscripts of any genre.

#PitDark — For writers pitching spooky, scary, or horror manuscripts.  

#SFFPit — For writers of science fiction/fantasy. 

#PBPit — For writers of picture books. 

And that’s it! Bottom line: have fun, be smart, and don’t get too distracted by the bird app. After all, that book isn’t going to write itself…