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Announcing the 2024 Crystal Kite Winners

2024

Erica Wood

Carolinas Critique Groups

Complete this form to have a Critique Coordinator contact you regarding joining or forming a group.

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Critique Group Inquiry

<h3>NC Open Groups</h3><ul><li>Asheville-Hendersonville: Story Weavers meets online monthly via Google Chat, drawing members from Buncombe and Henderson counties. Nancy McCorkle is the contact person at <a href="mailto:nkmccorkle@gmail.com">nkmccorkle@gmail.com</a>. Please contact via e-mail with a brief note about your interests and background.</li><li>Brevard: Transylvania Storytellers is open to writers of picture books through middle grade. We meet the third Saturday of every month at Quotations Cafe in downtown Brevard. Contact Carolyn Fraiser at <a href="mailto:carolynbfraiser@gmail.com">carolynbfraiser@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Chapel Hill/Carrboro: The CCC (Carrboro Crit Collective) is a new group for MG/YA fiction writers who write novels or graphic novels. We will meet on Tuesdays once or twice a month at a private residence outdoors without masks or indoors with masks. Dogs who are friendly to cats and other dogs are welcome. Open to one more group member. Contact Maria Oglesby at <a href="mailto:mariaoglesbyart@gmail.com">mariaoglesbyart@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Chapel Hill/Durham: Meets once per month in Chapel Hill and Durham locations. ​Contact. Chris Hoerter <a href="mailto:chris.hoerter@yahoo.com">chris.hoerter@yahoo.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Charlotte: Picture book authors in the greater Charlotte area meet one Thursday each month from 9-11am at the Harris Teeter on Central Avenue. Contact Marcella Capaldi at <a href="mailto:mhreiz@gmail.com">mhreiz@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Charlotte: Queen City Critique Group meets on the first Saturday of every month from 9-11 am via Zoom. For more information, email <a href="mailto:qckidlit@gmail.com">qckidlit@gmail.com</a>.  </li><li>Charlotte: New group for MG/YA authors in the Charlotte area meet online one Monday night each month at 7 pm. For more information, contact Camie Stevenson at <a href="mailto:camiestevenson@gmail.com">camiestevenson@gmail.com</a>. </li><li>Greenville: Coastal Carolina Kid Lit meets at 10 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month at various members’ homes. We currently have openings for a few more members. Please contact Eileen Lettick at <a href="mailto:eileenlettick@gmail.com">eileenlettick@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Kernersville (Triad Area): Meetings are every other Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Kernersville. We are focusing on picture books and chapter books. Contact Rhett Trull for more information <a href="mailto:rhettreep@yahoo.com">rhettreep@yahoo.com</a></li><li>Lake Norman: Lake Norman Critique Group is open to picture book and middle grade authors. They meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Davidson Green School in Davidson. Contact Sarah Meade at <a href="mailto:sjw2lilo@gmail.com">sjw2lilo@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Raleigh: We have a new online group just for writers in the greater Raleigh area that meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm via Zoom with some in-person meet-ups planned. For more information, contact Linda Hargrove at <a href="mailto:linda.l.hargrove@gmail.com">linda.l.hargrove@gmail.com</a>. </li><li>Raleigh: Inklings Critique group for writers of stories for preschool through elementary-aged children is seeking a few new members. Inklings meet the last Tuesday of the month at the Lake Book Trail Starbucks. Contact Laura at <a href="mailto:laramsteele@yahoo.com">laramsteele@yahoo.com</a> for more information. </li><li>Wilmington/Myrtle Beach: Carolina Creatives We’re a group of kidlit writers mostly in the Wilmington/Myrtle Beach area. We write a range of genres within kidlit. We critique monthly via Google docs and meet via Zoom one Saturday morning/month and in person 3X year. Contact person: Tonnye Fletcher <a href="mailto:tonnyefletcher@gmail.com">tonnyefletcher@gmail.com</a> 910-770-3670.</li></ul> <h3>NC Closed Groups</h3>(Check with group to see if they are taking new members)<ul><li>Apex/Raleigh: The Inklings meets the last Tuesday of each month from 10 am - 11:30 am at the Lake Boone Starbucks in Raleigh. Contact Laura Holley (<a href="mailto:lauraholleync@gmail.com">lauraholleync@gmail.com</a>) or Laura Clarke (<a href="mailto:laurasteeleclarke@gmail.com">laurasteeleclarke@gmail.com</a>) for more information.</li><li>Asheville (Downtown): The Secret Gardeners is currently closed to new members. Contact: <a href="mailto:conlombardo@hotmail.com">conlombardo@hotmail.com</a>.</li><li>Cary (Crossroads Area): Third Thursday Writers, a mix of MG and YA authors meeting monthly. Contact Dena McMurdie at <a href="mailto:denamcmurdie@gmail.com">denamcmurdie@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Chapel Hill: Critique Group focus is on MG and YA fiction. For more information, please contact Monica Sanchez at <a href="mailto:monica.northcarolina@gmail.com">monica.northcarolina@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Charlotte: Critique Group for middle grade and YA authors. Please contact Rebecca Laxton at <a href="mailto:rlaxton@carolina.rr.com">rlaxton@carolina.rr.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Charlotte: Creative Inkers is an online picture book group for seasoned authors that meets the second Monday of each month. Please contact Cathy Sheafor <a href="mailto:csheafor@gmail.com">csheafor@gmail.com</a> or Elizabeth Rawls <a href="mailto:EBRawlArt@gmail.com">EBRawlArt@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Hickory: Hickory Critique Group for picture book and middle grade writers. This is a monthly group. Please contact Helen Fisher at <a href="mailto:hmfisher416@gmail.com">hmfisher416@gmail.com</a> or 870-656-8333 for more information.</li><li>Triangle area: Triangle Circle Critique Group meets on-line in a Zoom meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. All genres and age levels are welcome. Contact Anne Runyon for more information, <a href="mailto:amr-illustrations@nc.rr.com">amr-illustrations@nc.rr.com</a>.</li></ul>

North Carolina Groups

<h3>SC Open Groups</h3><ul><li>Charleston: Charleston Critique Group meets the third Saturday of each month on Zoom at 12:30pm (we plan to meet quarterly in-person at the Main Library at 68 Calhoun St., Downtown Charleston (meeting room B), or another agreed upon venue). We are a group of Picture Book authors and author/illustrators and include other writing genres from PB through YA. Please contact Mo Morris at <a href="mailto:info@momocollections.com">info@momocollections.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Daniel Island: Daniel Island Christian Writing Group meets the 4th Friday (Noon to 2pm) of each month in the home of Vijaya Bodach. If interested, contact her at <a href="mailto:vijaya_bodach@yahoo.com">vijaya_bodach@yahoo.com</a>. </li><li>Greenwood-Abbeville: The Lakesland Writer’s Guild meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings at 6:30 at the Due West Retirement Center, Carlisle conference room. Contact Mary Hill at <a href="mailto:Marykatbpc@yahoo.com">Marykatbpc@yahoo.com</a> or 302-9030</li><li>Landrum: Landrum Critique Group meets at the Landrum Library the second Monday of the month from 4:30 until 5:45. We include both writers and illustrators from picture books through young adult. Those wanting to join should contact Alice Jackson at <a href="mailto:ajacksonsprague@gmail.com">ajacksonsprague@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Lexington: Lexington Area Critique Group: Please contact Angie Raymond at <a href="mailto:araymond2323@gmail.com">araymond2323@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li></ul> <h3>SC Closed Groups</h3>(Check with groups to see if they are taking new members)<ul><li>Greenville: Greenville/Upstate Children’s Writers’ Group meets monthly during the day. To place your name on a wait list or to form a new group, Jan Kovaleski <a href="mailto:jkovi@charter.net">jkovi@charter.net</a>.</li></ul>

South Carolina Groups

<h3>Online Open Groups</h3><ul><li>Experienced PB writers. Please contact Sallye O’Rourke at <a href="mailto:snor@comcast.net">snor@comcast.net</a> for more information.</li><li>Pen &amp; There is a new critique group just for KidLit illustrators. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. on Zoom. For more information, contact Katie Dwyer at <a href="mailto:katiedwyerart@gmail.com">katiedwyerart@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>NEW! Online group for picture book and chapter book authors and author-illustrators has just formed and is open to new members. The group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 8 p.m. via Zoom. Contact Stacie Crawford at <a href="mailto:staciecrawfordvw@yahoo.com">staciecrawfordvw@yahoo.com</a> for more information. </li><li>NEW! Online picture book critique group is now meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. For more information, contact Amy Jane Williams at <a href="mailto:amy@amyjanewilliams.com">amy@amyjanewilliams.com</a>. </li></ul> <h3>Online Closed Groups</h3>(Check with group for openings)<ul><li>A/I Critique Group for author/illustrators meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Contact Kerri Ross at <a href="mailto:kerryt.ross@gmail.com">kerryt.ross@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Caro-Liners is a new online picture book critique group that meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Li Wang at <a href="mailto:jclwangli@gmail.com">jclwangli@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Charming Revisionaries Online Critique Group is currently full. If you would like a copy of our group guidelines or information on starting your own group. Dorothy Griffin at <a href="mailto:mdgriffin1@bellsouth.net">mdgriffin1@bellsouth.net</a>.</li><li>The Critique Group for MG and YA authors is currently full. Please contact Dave Kwee at <a href="mailto:kweeda@gmail.com">kweeda@gmail.com</a> for more information.</li><li>Mountains to the Sea is a new online picture book critique group that meets on the second Friday of every month at 9 a.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Sandra Chambers at skchamberswrite@yahoo.com or Stephanie Hankins at <a href="mailto:scoblehankins@gmail.com">scoblehankins@gmail.com</a>.</li><li>Picture Book Critique Group meets monthly on Mondays @8:30 PM. Online hybrid model with Zoom meetings and email correspondence. Authors and Author/Illustrators. Contact: Cathy Sheafor, <a href="mailto:csheafor@gmail.com">csheafor@gmail.com</a> and use heading: SCBWI Carolinas Critique Group.</li><li>Linked-in-Ink is a Middle Grade Critique Group that meets via Zoom the third Wednesday night of each month. For more information, contact Vicki Evans evansvp@yahoo.com or Kim Newland <a href="mailto:kimnew2561@gmail.com">kimnew2561@gmail.com</a></li><li>Durham: Artsy Authors is an online picture book group that meets the second Wednesday of each month. Please contact Elizabeth Rawls <a href="mailto:EBRawlArt@gmail.com">EBRawlArt@gmail.com</a> </li></ul>

Online Groups

Premium members can find groups that meet in North Carolina, South Carolina, and online.