We hope you’ll find a great group here! If there isn’t an open group in your category, fill out this form and we’d be happy to help you find or start a new group.
*This is a long list…please scroll all the way to the bottom. The groups are in this order: picture books, author/illustrators, chapter books, PB/MG/YA Groups, novel groups, self-publishing.
Making Room for Picture Books
Leader: Carla Rojas Paz
Email: debarro3@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group: Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group: 2
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Monthly
What is the process for new members to become part of the group?
Email the group lead: Carla Rojas Paz debarro3@gmail.com
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include?
Group meets monthly. Manuscripts are due a week before.
Miami Picture Book Critique Group
Name of contact person for the group: Silvia Lopez
Email address: silvialopez1026@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 28
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Every other Thursday, 7 pm
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Must attend once before reading own manuscript
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? A great group. Very talented and very, very supportive
Grupo Crítica Literatura Infantil y Juvenil
Name of contact person for the group: Nydia Buch
Email address: nydia.buch@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 11
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Every other Thursday at 6:00 PM. Estern Time, via Zoom.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? To join the group, please contact: Nydia.buch@gmail.com (or) Cristinakeller56@gmail.com
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Spanish Language
Central Florida Critique Friends
Name of contact person for the group: Charlie Griffin
Email address: cgriffin293@gmail.com
Does your group have a co-leader? Yes
Name of co-leader: Jamal Wallace
Co-leader email address: bobbybrowniewrites@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 7
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? We’re meeting asynchronously – providing written feedback via Google Drive
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email Charlie or Jamal.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We’re still new, so we haven’t found a rhythm yet, but we’re looking forward to it.
Ready Set Write {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Julia Ruschmann and Ana Kelly
Email address: jrrusch6@gmail.com, anakellyinla@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 6
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? We meet the first Monday of the month at 7pm EST via ZOOM. Manuscripts are due via email to members the second Monday of the month. Critiques are due to individual members by the fourth Monday of the month. Members revise their manuscript and present it at the meeting.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Send an email to Julia or Ana expressing your interest in joining our group. If we have an opening, we will invite you to attend our next meeting to meet our members and get a feel for how we run our group. This gives current group members a chance to see if you will mesh with the rest of the group. If everyone agrees, you can join the group and submit a manuscript for critique for the next month.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Our group members try to give meaningful, actionable feedback to each other. This requires a level of trust and time commitment from each member.
StoryStellars {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Michelle Ramirez
Email address: mitch.ramirez8@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Occasionally social zoom calls but critiques are all done through google docs and our private FB page.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Simply need to show interest.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Manuscript submissions due by 15th every month and critiques due by end of same month. One ms submission per member per month max.
Yes, We Can! {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Ruth Folit Email address rfolit@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Once a month at 6:30 pm usually on the third Monday of the month, using zoom.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Contact me a the above address, or Alexis Hernandez-Hons at ahernandez.hons@gmail.com
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We are a new group as of April, 2022
Get It Write {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Taylor Girard
Email address: taylorgirard@gmail.com
Does your group have a co-leader? Yes
Name of co-leader: Melissa Hope
Co-leader email address: lissa.horne@hotmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Once per month via Zoom.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? If the group does decide on adopting a new member, we would request a writing sample, vote, and proceed from there.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? All critique groups are different and finding one that gels with you while offering growth to you and you returning that favor can be tough. It’s out there though and if you don’t find it here, keep trying! You’ll find it/them!
PB and Young Readers {Full}
Name of contact person for the group: Thornton Blease
Email address: tblease@gm.slc.edu
Does your group have a co-leader? Yes
Name of co-leader: Glorienne Polacheck
Co-leader email address: gloripgmp@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet?Monthly on Zoom
What is the process for new members to become part of the group?Send an email with a PB writing sample.
Name of contact person for the group: Kim Nolan
Email address: kidlit@kimwnolan.com
Does your group have co-leaders: Yes
Name of co-leaders: Juliana Castro and Alexi Lillis
Co-leader email address: julianacastr.c@gmail.com
Do you meet face-to-face or virtually: Virtually
What is the focus of the group: Illustration, Nonfiction, Young Adult Books, Middle Grade Books, Chapter Books, Picture Books, Graphic Novels
How many members are currently in the group: 3
Do you have openings for new members at this time: Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet: We meet once a month using Zoom. Work is submitted online via email and/or google drive.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group: We are open to illustrators and author/illustrators of all genres. Please send an email to the group expressing interest along with a link to your portfolio. You do not need to be published to be part of this group but you must be an intermediate-advanced illustrator.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include: To be part of this group you will need to be available for daytime meetings. We are all freelancers so meetings day/times vary depending on everyone's schedules but they are currently held once a month on Mondays at 4pm.
Name of contact person for the group: Kim Nolan
Email address: kidlit@kimwnolan.com
Are you a current SCBWI member? Yes
Does your group have a co-leader? Yes
Name of co-leader: Liz Greaser
Co-leader email address: lgreaser@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books, Illustration
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? We meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month on zoom from 7pm-8:30pm
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Send an email to group leaders, Kim or Liz expressing your interest. Include a link to your portfolio and a short bio. If we have an opening, the group will vote. If we think you’re a good fit, we’ll invite you to a meeting and you can decide if you want to join us.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? This is an intermediate-advanced group of illustrators. You don’t need to be published but you must already have a background in illustration.
Wild About Chapter Books {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Lorena Tejada
Email address: lorena.tejada1@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Once a month via zoom
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Submit short synopsis and first 10 pages of a CB or MG story for group critique
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We are an active & supportive group of children’s literature and illustration.
Immersed In Verse
Name of contact person for the group: Diane Lee Sammet
Email address: meetdiane1@comcast.net
What is the focus of the group? Novels-in-Verse
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Monthly email critiques and Zoom meetings.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group?To become a member, email Diane expressing your interest. Submit a short bio, why you love novels-in-verse, and the titles of some of your favorites. Potential new members submit up to five poems and provide feedback to current submissions.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? All members are well versed (no pun intended) with the novel-in-verse genre and actively writing free-verse poems in narrative form.
MG Masterminds {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Debra Getts
Email address debragetts@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Middle Grade Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Sub and crits monthly; several times a year meet by Zoom, and 1x to 2x per year meet in-person hangout
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Must be an SCBWI member. Submit 3000 words sample pages for audition to debragetts@gmail.com and crit one page of each existing member’s wip.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Our goal is to help each other’s writing and stories flourish and to traditionally publish. Members must be agented or pre-published highly advanced (e.g., highly edcuated in craft, awards for wip, agent ms requests). Must join InkedVoices.com as that is where we sub and crit. Must meet deadlines, be responsive to group communications, professional, friendly, sense of humor, thoughtful critiques given, acceptance of critiques received (with full discretion to apply or not to wip, of course), committed to writing, committed to enriching children’s lives with books.
Monthly Generic Critique Group
Name of contact person for the group: Brent Zionic
Email address: bzionic@gmail.com
Do you meet face-to-face or virtually? Virtually
What is the focus of the group? Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Wednesdays at 12:30pm EST. Typically on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, but we change depending on members.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email me your interest, read through our critique group rules and agree to participate!
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We ask for submissions one week in advance, 5-10pg double spaced, and uploaded to our Google Drive folder. Other participants read and offer commentary online, and then in person when we meet on Zoom.
Bi-monthly Remote Critique Group
Name of contact person for the group: Brent Zionic
Email address bzionic@gmail.com
Do you meet face-to-face or virtually? Virtually
What is the focus of the group? Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Twice a month on Thursdays, 6:30pm. Typically the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month, though we shift depending on members.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email me, read and agree with our rules for our critique group.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We ask for submissions one week in advance, 5-10pg double-spaced, to be uploaded to our Google Drive. Others read and offer commentary online, then we meet and discuss in a Zoom meeting.
Wild About Chapter Books {FULL}
Name of contact person for the group: Lorena Tejada
Email address: lorena.tejada1@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books
How many members are currently in the group? 5
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? No
When, where, and how often does the group meet? Once a month via zoom
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Submit short synopsis and first 10 pages of a CB or MG story for group critique
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? We are an active & supportive group of children’s literature and illustration.
Palm Beach Gardens Critique Group
Name of contact person for the group: Jill Ross Nadler
Email address: JillRossNadler@gmail.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books, Nonfiction
How many members are currently in the group? 15
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? The fourth Wednesday of the month at 6PM via Zoom.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email JillRossNadler@gmail.com and you will be added to the list. We ask that new members don’t read at their first meeting so they can get a feel for our group.
Aventura Group
Name of contact person for the group: Stacy B Davids
Email address: drdavids@bellsouth.net
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books, Nonfiction, Illustration, Board Books
How many members are currently in the group? 10
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? We email 1 pb ms or 10 pages of a novel ONCE A MONTH, anytime during the month.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email the critique group leader your request to join the group, incl. brief background info about yourself and your area of writing interest or genre. Must have attended at least one SCBWI conference or have been a part of a critique group in the past. Must already have knowledge of writing for the genre you’re interested in, e.g. have read about how to write a publishable picture book or novel and understand the basic structure.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Members must be able to handle honest, constructive feedback. Process: Member emails ms pages to whole group, the other members reply with feedback to only the author usually within one week.
Midnight Muses {Full}
Name of contact person for the group: Jill Watson
Email address: JLW326@aol.com
What is the focus of the group? Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult Books
How many members are currently in the group? 4
Do you have openings for new members at this time? No
If not, do you have a waitlist for potential members? No
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Submit on the 1st, return critiques within a week or two, resubmit with revised and meet via Zoom towards the end of the month.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? Limited to four members to allow for higher word count per submission
Self-Publishing Support Group
Name of contact person for the group: Robert Herrick
Email address: studioh@bellsouth.net
Do you meet face-to-face or virtually? Virtually
What is the focus of the group? Self-Publishing
Do you have openings for new members at this time? Yes
When, where, and how often does the group meet? The group meets once a month on the Third Sunday of Month from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The meetings are held on Zoom.
What is the process for new members to become part of the group? Email the group leader with a request to join.
Do you have any additional group info you would like to include? The group will provide guidance and support to members that want to self-publish their picture books and novels. New members that are considering self-publishing their book are also welcome to attend to help determine if self-publishing is the right choice for them.