Massachusetts Critique Groups

MA - Amherst/Northampton: NEW!

This critique group meets IN PERSON at the Forbes Library in Northampton. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience under your belt, join us to share your work and provide feedback. Our focus is on fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where members can improve their craft and get closer to publication goals. While we lean toward picture book projects, writers and illustrators working on middle-grade and YA are welcome to join as well. We will meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 3-4pm starting January 2025. For more information, please contact Emily at ellis.brune@ellisbrune.com.


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:

A children’s writer group at the Boston Public Library, Central Branch (Copley Square, 700 Boylston St., Boston MA 02116). Meetings will be held IN PERSON the second Saturday of the month from 3pm to 4pm. We are inviting writers and want-to-be writers who are working on picture books and early chapter books to come and share their work in progress and to give and get support. The library is located one block from the Green Line Copley Square stop and three blocks for Orange Line Back Bay stop. Also, we may have coffee/tea and sandwiches at the BPL’s lively Newsfeed Cafe. For more information contact: Young Yvonne Park at ypark7740@gmail.com or Linda Brown at mojolb2@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 – 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/Newton area every 3 weeks, on Fridays at 11 a.m. We currently meet at the Newton Free Library. The schedule may change, depending on the group’s needs. We are currently not accepting new members. For more information, please contact angela@angelalucillelongo.com.


MA – Newton:

This is a group of writers working on novels ranging from chapter books to YA fiction. All the members are published authors, educators working with young readers, or both. Having met for years at a public library, the group now convenes online on the last Wednesday evening of each month with an in-person get-together planned each fall. For more information contact jnolbell@earthlink.net.


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.