MA – Amherst/Northampton:
This group currently meets on Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. except in November when we meet outside the Thanksgiving holiday week. The group consists of writers and illustrators at every level of experience. We're sorry, but the group is temporarily closed. We'll re-evaluate this decision periodically. Contact Carol at carolmunro.personal@gmail.com.
MA – Andover:
The group meets the second or third Wednesday of the month from 7-9 PM at The Memorial Hall Library Activity Room in Andover, or virtually via Zoom. Find out more about some of our members at our group blog, Writers’ Rumpus (http://writersrumpus.com). Please contact Marianne Knowles to confirm meeting date and time, and to receive group guidelines: mpknowles85@gmail.com.
MA - Boston/GBIG (Greater Boston Illustrator's Group):
The Greater Boston Illustrators’ Group meets in person the second Wednesday of each month from 6:45 - 9:00 pm at The Weston Public Library in Weston, MA. Contact Priscilla for more information. Priscilla@priscillaalpaugh.com.
MA- Boston/North Shore:
A critique group is meeting either at Barnes and Noble in Peabody or Burlington. Looking for experienced writers of board/picture books and/or early chapter books. Let's drink coffee or tea or whatever and inspire each other! Muffins will always be waiting for you! Get in touch with Paula at picturethiswow@aol.com.
MA - Brookline/Newton/Cambridge and Beyond:
A small critique group for experienced picture book writers** meets every two weeks on Thursdays, late afternoon, and primarily online. (Writer/illustrators may ask for their art to be reviewed, as well). Every 6-8 weeks, the group meets in person in Needham. The focus is on the critique, but if time allows, the group may also move into industry news. At this time, 1-2 slots are open. (** “Experienced picture book writers" is defined as writers who have been published in a traditional house, have placed in a major writing competition, have attended semester-long writing classes, etc.) For further information, contact Sheila at skberenson@gmail.com.
MA - Boston/Roxbury:
NEW! A children’s writer group is starting February 9th at 10 am at the Boston public library (BPL) Roxbury branch (149 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119). Meetings will be held the second Friday of the month at 10 a.m. and we are inviting the writers and want-to-be writers who are into PB and early chapter books. The library is located next to the police station, the municipal court, and Dudley Bus station. There is ample street parking and a BPL parking lot as well. In this neighborhood offering a vibrant urban atmosphere, we may have a coffee/tea and sandwich at its local-favorite Dudley café nearby after the meeting. For more information contact: Young Yvonne Park at ypark7740@gmail.com.
MA – Cape Cod/ Hyannis:
Cape Cod Critique Group is now forming. Writers and writer-illustrators of all levels and genres are welcome. We will meet the second Tuesday of the month from 6-7 at the Barnes and Noble in Hyannis, MA. Bring up to 6 pages of your work in progress, each member will be given an allotted time for a critique of their work. For more information please contact Kate Lynch at writermom62@gmail.com
MA - Hudson:
The Writers' Loft Picture Book Critique Group generally meets on various Wednesday mornings (10:30am-12:30pm) and Thursday evenings (7-9pm) periodically each month. The PBCG is a drop-in group, so there is no need to attend every meeting. Meetings are limited to four manuscripts per meeting. Membership at The Writers' Loft if not required. For more information, email The Loft at writersloftma@gmail.com and visit https://www.thewritersloft.org.
MA - Needham/Newton Writers Group:
We are a small group of PB, MG, and YA authors who meet in the Needham area every 3 weeks, on Fridays at 11 a.m. Place may vary. The schedule may change, depending on the group’s needs. All are welcome. Please contact Debi at debramrath@gmail.com for more information.
MA - Sturbridge:
A small critique group focusing on picture books is accepting 1-2 more members. We meet virtually for now on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8pm. If you are a serious author looking to give and receive feedback on manuscripts and queries, contact Daryl at edengott@sbcglobal.net.
MA- Wakefield:
KidLit writers of picture book through young adult, all levels. RSVP and submit a writing sample 3 weeks prior to each meeting. Writing will be distributed 2 weeks prior to each meeting. Please submit writing that is approximately 10-minutes or 10-pages in length to: info@theroomtowrite.org. The KidLit Critique Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Boys & Girls Club of Wakefield Location: Ground Floor of the Americal Civic Center, 467 Main Street, Wakefield, MA. For more information visit: The Room to Write/Critique
MA- Wakefield:
Writers at all levels and of all genres are welcome. RSVP and submit a writing sample 3 weeks prior to each meeting. Writing will be distributed 2 weeks prior to each meeting. Please submit writing that is approximately 10-minutes or 10-pages in length to: info@theroomtowrite.org. The Writers Critique Group meets the 3rd Thursday of every month 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Boys & Girls Club of Wakefield Location: Ground Floor of the Americal Civic Center, 467 Main Street, Wakefield, MA. For more information visit: The Room to Write/Critique.
MA – Western Mass:
Do you dream in 32-page spreads? Do you rattle off daily routines in rhyme? Do you live and breathe to construct the perfect query letter? Do you dig writing picture books? Do you fiddle with metered verse? If you answered yes to any of the above, this is the group for you. Take the plunge towards the golden ticket of publication and join our group in the Westfield/Southwick area (close ride for Northern CT). This is a strictly picture book group for all writers serious about their craft. Please be willing to share and read others' work and provide/accept support and constructive criticism. All members hope to bring our works to publication. We welcome contact by writers with similar goals. Meeting location/schedule will be determined by member consensus. The potential for online critique will also be discussed. Contact Nicole Markel at nicolemarkel@comcast.net. [Currently not accepting new members]
MA - Worcester:
An online critique group based out of the Worcester, MA area through Zoom. All PB and MG writers are welcome. We will meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7pm - 8:30pm. Contact Deborah at deborah.davey@comcast.net for more information.