What is a Critique Group?
A critique group is a team of writers, illustrators or a combination of both who provide constructive feedback about each other's works in progress (WIP). Some groups focus on the same reading level, art medium or genre, while other groups welcome a broader membership. Each group sets its own tone for how they want to function and how often they want to meet. Some groups meet online, while others get together face-to-face.
Why Join a Critique Group?
The biggest benefit to joining a critique group is receiving feedback on your WIP from writer or illustrator peers at various stages of their creative careers. Other benefits often include growth in your craft, more confidence in your skills and a community you can turn to for encouragement and support as you work to create quality books for children and teens. It isn't unusual to see life-long friendships grow out of critique groups in the Midsouth.
How to Find a Critique Group:
- Become an SCBWI Premium member. Preview users are not eligible to join an SCBWI critique group.
- To find a Midsouth-specific critique group, fill out the Critique Group Interest Form here: https://forms.gle/iT9Lv9a7zq6LZ4gA7
The Critique Coordinator will contact you as soon as a critique group that best meets your needs is available. Please note that new groups are formed in the spring and in the month following the regional conference in the fall unless there is enough interest to form a new group in the interim. The formation process is managed by a volunteer, and we appreciate your patience.
- While waiting, we encourage you to find support in the following ways:
- Visit the SCBWI Critique Group resource under the "My Critique Groups" tab in your Member Home to find a group, or start your own. These groups are open to any SCBWI member worldwide and are not specific to the Midsouth. You are welcome to join BOTH a Midsouth critique group (via the form above) and a group you find through the global resource.
- Join the Midsouth Writers Facebook Page, Midsouth Illustrators Facebook Page or Discord channel to connect with other Midsouthers.
- Attend a Midsouth meetup to connect with other Midsouthers who live near you. We have groups in the following areas: Bowling Green, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Lexington, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville and Northeast Tennessee, as well as a virtual group that meets online for those of you outside of the areas listed above. If you are interested in starting a group in your area, please contact a member of the Regional Team at [email protected].
- Consult The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, a free resource for members to download that contains information about critique groups.
By joining an SCBWI Critique Group, I agree to abide by the Critique Group Code of Conduct as outlined HERE.
Still have questions?
Contact the Critique Coordinator at [email protected].
Upcoming Online Critiques
The Midsouth offers the following opportunities for members to receive peer feedback on their works in progress:
Illustrators:
Join Illustrator Coordinator Scott Soeder and fellow illustrators, artists and graphic designers for sharing of art and feedback on your work. Scott will be hosting an online Illustrator Peer Critique Group on the following dates at 7 p.m. Central/8 p.m. Eastern:
- Tuesday, July 14
- Tuesday, Nov. 10
The link to join the Zoom will be in the monthly Midsouth newsletter.
Bring your work in progress! You can show up to 3 pieces to get feedback on from IC Scott Soeder and fellow Midsouth Illustrators. You will have the ability to show your screen through Zoom, so if you have traditional pieces for sketches it is recommend to scan them in for the best presentation.
Writers:
Join Critique Coordinator Sara Hoy and fellow writers for feedback on your work. Sara will be hosting an online Writer Peer Critique Group on the following dates:
- Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Central/7:30 p.m. Eastern
The link to join the Zoom will be emailed to you a week before the event.
Bring up to and no more than 500 words of a manuscript. You will be asked to share your screen for this critique, so please have your document available and ready to share. Attendees will be divided into breakout rooms (picture book writers with picture book writers, middle grade with middle grade, or novelists with novelists, etc.) based on the number of people who attend. Each member will then have up to 15 minutes to read their piece aloud and receive feedback from the other group members.