Critique Groups

Critique groups are a great way to meet like-minded people and improve your craft. We are happy to help connect you with others who are searching for critique groups or partners in the region.

SCBWI policy does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to participate in any of its events, including our critique group sessions.

In-Person Critique Groups

Boise, Idaho–Meets every third Tuesday of the month. For information on upcoming meetings, contact Tanager Haemmerle for details.

Logan, Utah–The Logan Critique Group meets the second Thursday of each month. We meet in the Sego Lily room on the second floor of the Logan Library at 6:30pm. For more information, contact Laura Nielsen.

Salt Lake City, Utah–Meets every third Thursday at 7:00pm at the Kearns Library (4275 West 5345 South – Kearns, UT 84118). Co-sponsored by the Salt Lake County Library System. All genres, age groups, and stages of writing and illustrating for children are welcome. For more information, contact Mattie Noall.

St. George, Utah–Meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at St. George Library. For more information, contact Lora Stead.

Upper Valley, Idaho–Meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00pm usually at the Idaho Falls Library, but not always. You can join the email list to be kept in the loop about future meetings. For more information, contact Stefanie Kilpatrick.

Online Critique Groups

Online Picture Book Group–Meets every second and fourth Tuesday. For more information, contact Kathy Dye.

Online Group–Meets 3rd Wednesdays of the month @ 7pm MT via Zoom. We prioritize writers who fully participate, which means leaving comments in Google Docs before the meeting AND attending the online meeting. Word count maximum: 1250 words. All kidlit genres/ages welcome: board book, early readers, picture book, middle-grade novels, and YA. To participate or for more information, contact Bruce Luck or Stephanie Jackson. Stephanie's website can be accessed here: https://www.stephaniewritesforkids.com/.

Orem, Utah–Meets every 4th Thursday at 7:00pm. All genres, age groups, and stages of writing and illustrating for children are welcome. For more information, contact Travis Rawlings.

Illustrators' Critique Group—Meets the first Tuesday of every month from 8:00–10:00 pm. Contact Kailee Morrill if you're interested in joining.

Finding Critique Groups or Starting Your Own

Our Critique Group Coordinators help SCBWI members connect with others in their area. We keep a current database of people who have expressed interest in a critique group, as well as other critique groups which may have openings. If you are an individual looking for a critique group or a group looking for a new member, please send us an e-mail.