Critique Group

Critique Groups are essential to a writer’s ability to polish work, improve craft, and grow. Plus, critique groups offer motivation, emotional support, and connection.If you are interested in joining a critique group, please contact the group leader listed below.

If you would like to lead a new critique group or add a group, please reach out to the NJSCBWI Critique Group Coordinator Lauri Meyers ([email protected])

Note: You must be an active SCBWI member in order to join an SCBWI Critique Group. Each Critique Group is unique, shaped by the talents and focus of the Critique Group Leader and participants. Critique Groups are responsible for scheduling and connecting. NJ SCBWI will not be responsible for making sure members attend meetings or managing the groups. It is up to the member’s discretion. However, if any member finds that a group has not operated in the highest integrity or has not been consistently reliable, please inform NJ SCBWI and we will remove it from the list. 

Advanced Middle Grade Writers Group

Middle Grade Writers

Advanced, Published, or Agented

In-person at Barnes and noble, Eatontown   

Once a month

Limited space available

Contact: Michele Prestininzi - [email protected]

Middle Grade Writers

Beginner

In-person at Ridgewood Coffee Co., 133 E. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ

Once a month

First Tuesday of the month 7pm (subject to change based on members)

Contact: Jennifer Geishenen - [email protected]

Monday's Monthly Meters

Beginner to Intermediate Picture Book Writers

Via Zoom

Monthly

Monday at 7pm EST

Contact: Caitlin Jascewsky - [email protected]

Monmouth County Write In/Critique

Intermediate Level Writers

PB to YA

In Person at: Starbucks, 310 US-9, Tennent, NJ 07763

Contact: Jennifer Roman - [email protected]   

PB Makers (Currently FULL)

Picture Book Authors & Illustrators 

All Levels (beginner to advanced)    

Online via zoom

Every other Sunday, 4PM

Contact: Ghenet Harvey - [email protected]

PB Critique Group

Advanced Picture Book Writers

Online via zoom

Every Monday afternoon

Contact: Pooja Makhijani - [email protected]

Picture Book Critique Group - Written Feedback Only

Intermediate/Querying Picture Book Writers

Virtual via Google Docs with option for occasional Zooms

Frequency: Share a piece every other week (with a week in between to provide written feedback)

Contact: Lindsey Konkel Neabore - [email protected]

South Jersey PB Writers Critique Group

All level writers (beginner to advanced)

Picture Book to Chapter Book

In-person at: Barnes & Noble, Cherry Hill

Saturday mornings

Contact: Alicia Guide - [email protected]

Westfield Author & Illustrator Critique Group

Intermediate to Advance (some experience submitting) Picture Books

In-person at Westfield Public Library, 550 E Broad St., Westfield, NJ 07090

Every other Wednesday, 6:30PM

Contact: Karine Lozewski - [email protected]