Critique Partner Meet Up!
Because my forum has some tech issues (that I am not savvy enough to fix), and because people still use it to connect with CPs… Well, I thought I’d start a post here instead, where you all can connect in the comments!
Just share the following info in your comment, read over what others have shared, and CONNECT!
Name:
Genre you like to write/read in:
Project and a short summary:
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader:
And if you want more information on critique partners and beta readers, here are some posts I’ve written in the past.
December 21, 2017 @ 6:56 pm
Okay I’ll start this off 🙂
Hi all, my names Davina and I love reading fantasy (mostly YA) but have discovered Dark Romance. Jerks and anti-heroes have stolen my heart lol.
I’ve always written YA fantasy, briefly heading into contemporary romance. But five months ago I decided this year was the year to write dangerously, and push myself out of my comfort zone by writing in first person with an anti-hero, placing my world right inside the bad-guys camp – in the paranormal genre rather than fantasy.
I’m about two-thirds of the way through the fourth draft of this novel. The story, mostly a romance (a little dark) is set in a shadowed sect – a collective of Houses – that have for over millennia served a dark echelon. These guys aren’t the good guys. And my alpha can be a jerk and crass (be warned) – but I adore him 🙂 It’s told in dual POV between the youngest daughter, Nelle, of the great ruling house, and an enforcer, Graysen Crowther.
A few years back House Crowther were granted a boon – they could ask for the hand of any daughter from any House for any one of their sons. So happens they pick Nelle for their second-eldest, Graysen. Of course, both of them intensely dislike one another. And, yep, there are sinister reasons why the Crowthers chose Nelle.
And Nelle…has her own secret. She’s other and therefore should have been given up at birth to the echelon they serve. She has no idea what she is, but she does know the Crowthers can never find out. Trouble is, in one month’s time she’ll be bound to Graysen.
This novel takes place over the span of a weekend where Nelle’s older sister is celebrating her engagement.
I joined a critique group a few weeks back. But my lovely ladies are all contemporary romance writers, and I would love to have a critique partner that reads/writes paranormal. Because I have no idea where this story fits as it’s not quite like the stories currently out there in that genre. There’s a lot of steamy heat in this book and foul language. But if anyone is interested in partnering up. Let me know. Cheers!!
December 21, 2017 @ 7:43 pm
Name: CL Mannarino
Genre you like to write/read in: Mainly YA (contemporary, fantasy, historical, a little sci-fi, romance) and some adult
Project and a short summary: I’m on the last book in my first (self) published series, which is about what happens when vampires invade small towns.
The first book was about a boy trying to rescue his father from a vampire before he wound up dead. The second book was about a wannabe vampire hunter trying to avenge her mom’s death, only to discover a much more sinister problem with the vampires that exist. The book I’m working on now is about that same vampire hunter attempting to rescue her organization from the grips of displeased vampires, before they discover that she’s the reason why they’re displeased in the first place.
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader: I’d like to work with someone who reads within the fantasy genre, who has a finished book up for sale OR who has written a couple manuscripts already, and who’s really good at asking big-picture questions about character, story, and setting. I’d like for us to motivate each other, too, and vent over our frustrations.
If you’re interested in reading the other books first, just let me know and I’ll be happy to send you a copy! If not, I’m happy to have you simply read this one as a stand-alone. Let me know! And thanks!
December 21, 2017 @ 8:52 pm
Hi everyone!
Thank you so much, Susan, for giving us an opportubity to connect.
I would love to get/be somebody’s critique partner.
I personally write mostly short fiction (fantasy, magical realism, sci-fi, horror) but I’m also working on longer projects (ya fantasy – my unfinished NaNoWriMo project) and would love to connect with someone who is interested in same genres.
I recently started a zine with my friend, for which I write short fiction and prose poetry.
My website is ninavrye.com and I have the same username “ninavrye” on both Twitter and Instagram, if you would like to connect there 🙂
Nina
December 21, 2017 @ 10:04 pm
Hi everyone. I’m Michelle Roberts. I’m looking mostly for beta readers (or anyone who wants to swap a sensitivity read for a crit) for a YA fantasy that’ll be, hopefully, heading into the query trenches later in the spring. I could definitely use a couple CPs too, but this project shouldn’t need tearing apart anymore. 🙂
Genre: ALLL the fantasy. Seriously. Second world fantasy in either YA or adult is my jam. I’ll read dystopian, space opera (think the old Star Wars EU books by Aaron Allston or Christie Golden), and urban fantasy/paranormal, but those are harder sells for me personally because I’m generally a love it or hate it reader.
Some faves: V.E. Schwab, Robin Hobb, Outlander, GRRM, SJM, Tolkien, Leigh Bardugo, THE BONE WITCH, RED SISTER, HEARTSTONE, Star Wars, MCU, Marco Polo (Netflix), Medici (Netflix), Anne with an E (Netflix), Vikings, Knightfall (History Channel), Pokemon, Big Bang Theory, Witcher III, Assassin’s Creed games, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Dragon Age
Project and a short summary: YA fantasy. It should be ready for readers early Feb. Tori, a scribe who dreams of being a librarian, wants only to get her family out of debt before she’s sold as an indentured servant. Unfortunately the best chance to do that is to work for the ducal heir–whose father signed a law that spawned riots that killed her fiance. Tori, the ducal heir, his bodyguard, and 2 elves team up to defeat the corrupt Council and keep the elven population from being purged from the capitol and sparking a nation-wide civil war.
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader: I like honesty, but gently. I like to know why you’re making a comment too (esp re: worldbuilding and character) because that’s almost more useful. If something’s confusing, I wanna know and also why you think so.
If you think we might be a good match contact me on Twitter @ michroberts90 or email at: michroberts90 @ gmail.com. 🙂
December 22, 2017 @ 3:15 pm
Hi everyone! One of my critique partners and I are setting up a large beta reading group for the new year. Our goal is to have 30-50 writers in the group so everyone will have 3-5 beta readers when they’re ready to post their manuscript for a beta read. It’s specifically for young adult and adult science fiction and fantasy writers, so if it’s something that interests you, please send me an email so I can get you more information! karyne{dot}norton{at}gmail{dot}com
December 22, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
Hi all! Here’s some info about me/my project:
Name: Kait
Genre: YA fantasy, that leans a touch literary at times
Project and a short summary: this is a current WIP I am redrafting after NaNoWriMo 2016 – tentatively called War Hounds – it’s about three sisters in the far north of Scotland, who become the Morrigan. I’m still working out plot kinks but it’s about identity, family, and learning to trust.
What I’m looking for in a CP: Someone I can bounce ideas off of/brainstorm with and working through plot sticking points with. Someone I can send bits and pieces of my WIP to as I’m working through it. I’ve never had a CP before (though I worked as an editor for several years so I think I have a lot to offer), so I’m pretty open to trying out different styles of CPs since I’m not 100% sure what I want/need, but ideally I’d like to work with someone who is familiar with fantasy, particularly YA.
You can email me at kaitlyn.sykes@me.com and follow me on Twitter + Instagram at @ktsyks.
December 22, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
P.S. Thanks Susan for reviving this – one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to prioritize writing more so this is coming at the perfect time for me 🙂
December 22, 2017 @ 11:19 pm
Hello! I’m pretty much in the same boat as I have never had a critique partner but I’m working on a YA fantasy project at the moment (plus publishing short fiction), so we have that in common 🙂 However, I am not sure what I can offer in return 🙁
December 27, 2017 @ 7:03 pm
Hi,
my name is Emily. I love YA fantasy and high fantasy but also really any other form of YA. I personally am still stuck in the first draft (currently trying to make it a second) of a YA magical realism about a mystery hunt involving a ghost.
My favorites include anything by Leigh Bardugo (though Six of Crows is a personal favorite), Susan Dennard and others along those lines.
I really would like to join some form of writing community because I feel really alone in this journey. I’ve been writing for a while and now I’m getting serious about it and there is just no one to share it with. If there’s anyone who feels the same or is someone who has a writing group, I would love some support and would, of course, support right back.
Thanks!
December 28, 2017 @ 1:25 am
Hi everyone! I’m Ellie and I write YA, primarily spec fic and historical. I love a good, old fashioned fantasy quest a la Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Prydain, but my favorite thing is fairytale retellings (I’ve written far too many over the years). But any sort of ground-up world, from low fantasy like The Winner’s Curse or Rosemarked, or high fantasy like Mistborn or Truthwitch, appeals to me. My favorite series of all time is The Lunar Chronicles, which combines basically all my favorite things ever and is exactly my kind of scifi. I also love Jay Kristoff and Amy Kaufman’s Illuminae and other, more steampunky historical scifi, like Illusionarium by Heather Dixon, who just so happens to my my favorite author. Historical, especially classics, own my heart as well. My favorite novel in the world is Jane Austen’s Persuasion. A common tie between what I enjoy reading and writing is a romance plot and a character-driven story,
I’m currently querying my most recent project which is a gender-swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast. My current WIP is my NaNo project which I’m still writing to completion. I’d call it alt history with some scifi trappings. Think Fallout 4 meets Stranger Things with a candy-coated aesthetic, set in post-nuclear fallout 1987. When her mother, the mayor of New Jersey, is caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs, seventeen-year-old gangbanger Holly Van der Veer must cross the fences into a radioactive Jersey City rife with violence to save her.
I’m looking for somebody who is interested in the same sort of genres as me and writes full-length fiction with intent to query and publish. I’d love a CP who is in some way involved with the pre-pub process, even if you’re not quite ready for querying, just knowing that you’re serious about writing and publication is a big plus for me.
I also have a huge need for and emphasize communication–I’ve unfortunately been burned by some critique partners in the past, including long term ones. If there’s some reason you don’t want to swap anymore or don’t have time to commit to critiquing often and diligently, please consider that beforehand or tell me if anything comes up. I totally understand that things obviously crop up, but don’t just disappear on me without word. I’d personally love to have a CP who is also a friend and supporter–as I will obviously be for you as well! I love chatting about books and, most importantly, about our manuscripts, from brainstorm sessions to big picture problems, and anything inbetween. If you’re interested, you can email me at kittenstoes(at)gmail(dot)com, and we can swap blurbs and excerpts or first chapters. Thanks!
January 12, 2018 @ 8:22 pm
Hi all, My name is Nancy and I’m currently working on a YA Historical with strong Magical Realism elements. I’m in my fifth draft, and hope to be ready to query by the late spring. As soon as this draft is done, and I’ve cleaned it up, I’ll be interested in joining a YA critique group, as well as a group of BETA readers. I enjoy reading all genres in YA and MG. Looking forward…
March 8, 2018 @ 4:36 pm
Hey y’all, first off, I’m not southern, i just love saying/ writing y’all. fun fact about me haha. Anywho, my name’s Val and I adore fantasy. I read mostly YA but new adult is also something i enjoy, especially romance. I have written several short stories which are my own take on famous fairytales and are a bit on the villainous side, but I have completed 2 finished drafts of a fantasy stand-along book and am working my way through a second draft of a fantasy story that was based off another story i was writing. Sorry if that’s confusing, but it’s not as bad as it sounds.
My book that I’m working on now deals with angels but that’s all i want to say. in my mind, this book sounds amazing and full of surprises and (hopefully!) original, so unless you would be interested in becoming a critique partner of mine, this is all im willing to share for now, sorry! it delves into different themes and i want to expand it into at least 4 books, and i promise you i have enough material to give the reader for me to do so.
i’m not looking for anything specific in a critique partner, and because I already have one that is really nice and helps me a lot, the only thing I would like is for general thoughts on story and subplots, if they’re clear enough or not, sentence structure/ grammar errors you might see that i need to fix, characters and if they’re “complex” enough at the beginning stage of the story, etc. i know this might be a little vague but i’m just focusing on improving my story and entertaining the reader (hopefully keeping them at the edge of their seats lol). If you are interested in this, please only contact me at writerrreaderr@gmail.com. Thanks so much!
March 26, 2018 @ 1:46 am
Hi everyone! I’d like to connect with a beta-reader/critique partner here for one project and I would love to offer my services in return for anyone who would like to work with me. So here’s the lowdown:
Name: Savannah N.
Genre you like to write/read in: Fantasy is my big one, adult/new adult but also YA. Additionally, I’m a fan of sci fi.
Project and a short summary: this project is fully written, but is in need of some feedback and polish. It’s high fantasy that I would consider new adult or adult. The elevator pitch for it is thus: A girl becomes ruler, shackled with a deadly legacy. Her adviser ventures to the depth of a forest to seek help from the oldest creatures alive. A cursed child travels across the world to meet the new monarch. That child’s brother plots the end of the new ruler.
What I am looking for in a CP/beta reader: someone who looks at the big picture and tells me if it works. I’d love to have some feedback on pacing, characters, world building, and the plot in general. I’m not as focused on the grammar and the line by line edits but if you’d like to do that I certainly won’t stop you.
Please contact me at savannahnewton13@gmail.com if you’d be interested in working together. Take care!
April 5, 2018 @ 12:48 am
Name: Caitlin
Genre you like to write/read in: YA romance, paranormal, fantasy, adult mystery
Project and a short summary: I’m working on a short story about a mermaid discovering that her queen is a human in disguise, and then getting banished to land so that she won’t tell anyone. Now, she has to find a way back home so she can dethrone the imposter. I’m almost done revising and would love a second set of eyes.
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader: I’d like some feedback on the world building, pace, and anything that confuses you.
Reply to this post if you’re interested!
April 10, 2018 @ 3:06 am
Name: Nina
Genre you like to write/read in: Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-fi, Horror, Magical Realism and pretty much anything YA (I love books likes City of Dark Magic, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, A Discovery of Witches, and The Grishaverse)
Project and a short summary: My WIP is called Blood and Snow and is about a 15 year old girl studying to be a monster hunter. When she learns the man who killed her parents is now targeting her she makes it her mission to find and him before he finds and kills her first.
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader: I’m trying to make my WIP as strong as it can be and need someone to tell me what works/doesn’t work. I’d like to know where my worldbuilding is weak or where there are holes/inconsistencies that I can’t see since I’m too close to the story.
Please contact me at nzwebb11@gmail.com if you are interested in being a CP or Beta Reader. Thank you!
February 13, 2019 @ 3:50 am
年后第一次来，恭喜恭喜！
April 6, 2021 @ 12:58 am
Name : Jessica or Jess
I know this is an old thread, but hey! worth a shot! Here it goes;
Genre you like to write/read in: My current WIP would be considered a a New Adult or Adult High Fantasy novel.
Project and a short summary: I’m currently in the middle of drafting my first novel that is [tentatively] called Falcon’s Calling. Here’s the summary: Fallyn Vintrix is nothing more than a brothel worker, abandoned as a child and in indentured servitude until her debts are paid off to her Madam. Fallyn dreams of nothing more than to be free and to be seen for more than just her body. Fallyn gets her wish, but not in the way that she could have ever dreamed of. Taken to the execution block for her parents crimes of conspiring against the crown, her fate is sealed, or so she thought. Fallyn is saved from the execution block by the rebel forces and comes face-to-face with their brooding leader, Cedrin Vorrai – King of the Durach people and enemy of the Crown of Aedomar. Their world’s collide and are turned completely upside down in this tale of deceit, magic, betrayal, slow-burn romance, and most of all- the tale of a girl who is thought to be a nobody, becoming somebody. Now she has to choose between to saving herself, or saving the lives of all.
What you are looking for in a CP/beta reader: I’m looking for someone who can give me feedback on pacing, character ARCs, world building, and the general plot. Line-by-line edits would be welcomed.
Would be happy to trade my advice on your WIP for yours on mine! Thanks in advance, if you’re interested please send any inquiry to jessicakbowling@gmail.com