reported by Margaret Roc, ARA/Online Critique Coordinator
I would like to thank all the Group Facilitators who have done a fabulous job giving their time and effort in starting and coordinating their groups and keeping them going with their enthusiasm and encouragement.
The Online Critique Group Survey sent out earlier this year confirms what we have experienced in the past with Critique Groups:
Some are continuing strong and productive.
Some are continuing with some members regular and committed and other members contributing on and off, while others lingering on.
Some are dormant now but intend to continue when personal workloads and responsibilities ease and the members have more time.
Others have met successfully for several years as members have developed writing and/or illustrative projects and have now moved on and disbanded.
A very small number, for various reasons, never got off the ground. (If you were in one of these groups and you are still interested, please apply again on the website and indicate at the bottom which group you were allotted previously.)
At present, we have short ‘waiting lists’ for most groups. However, I have received requests for members to join the following Groups:
Published PAL members
(authors/illustrators published by traditional publishing houses that do not charge money to author or illustrators).
PAL (Writers)
One group would like 3 more members (PB/JF)
One group would like 2 more members (PB – YA)
One group would like 2 more to join their JF/MG/YA group
PAL (Writers/Illustrators)
One group would like 2 more (PB)
There are also a number of published authors in some Non PAL groups below
PB (Writers)
Two groups want one more member
PB (Writers/Illustrators)
One group wants 2 more members
One group wants 1 more member
PB/JF/NF (Writers/Illustrators)
One group wants 1 more member
UMG/YA (Writers)
One group wants 1 more member
NF/PB/JF (Writers/Illustrators)
One group wants 1 more member
One group wants 4 more members
Please do not apply to join a group if you just think ‘it sounds like a good idea at the time’, without thinking it through. Groups are expecting new participants to be keen, enthusiastic, and prepared to participate regularly in critiquing each other’s work.
What Group Facilitators think that makes their groups successful.
Great group of people committed to helping each-other to improve.
Everyone understands that the feedback is to improve our writing and that it is also one person's opinion, so we have robust discussions.
We were disciplined in our meetings on the first Sunday evening of the month. We are also very understanding in our feedback and critique on each person's manuscript, we are lucky to not have any egos.
We have a chat group on messenger and have recently begun face to face zoom meetings.
Persistence, and sharing of knowledge regarding writing but also the publishing industry and opportunities out there.
Everybody understands the importance of giving constructive feedback, we celebrate each other's wins and genuinely care about each other's work.
We celebrate everyone’s successes. Members are wonderfully supportive and encouraging, provide insightful, thoughtful and helpful critiques, and generously share resources and knowledge. We share opportunities with each other rather than keeping them to ourselves. And we have a good sense of humour that keeps our communication light-hearted. Not to mention the incredible talent and dedication each member has!
We are pretty relaxed and accepting of everyone’s various restrictions and commitments. We are positive and encouraging. We spend time on giving thoughtful feedback.
We have a facebook group where we post and share our stories. 1st of the month is submission day where we all have the opportunity to post a manuscript for critique (this needs to be done within the first week of the month). We then all provide a critique on each submitted manuscript before the end of the month. This works well because it provides more time to write a critique and it also means that you can have a story critiqued monthly (if you have one ready). It is not a requirement to submit each month, but we are all expected to provide a critique to those who have submitted. It seems to be working for us!
What problems, if any, does your group face?
Finding time to meet up.
The 'busyness' of life/ work/ family commitments often impacts the group's ability to share, but all members seem happy to have the connection with fellow creatives.
Writing! We are all so busy working on our craft that submitting for critiquing regularly can be tricky
When some new members came on board, they didn't automatically have the same sense of trust that has naturally developed over time, and it all feels a bit impersonal - which is why we started the zoom meetings.
We struggle sometimes with the slow pace of the publishing industry and the -challenge of finding submission opportunities.
Establishing the frequency of uploads that suited us best. Life events did mean that at various times members can’t meet their commitments.
Some SCWBI Critique Group Successes
Multiple successful submissions (NF/articles) for the School Magazine for Yasmin Steurer / Karen Wasson and Megan Gim
NF PB for Karen Wasson
Rhonda Ooi
Collaborated with Mel Corrigan in the Just Write for Kids Picture It! Anthology competition. Their piece ‘Sweet Summer Days’ was chosen for publication in the Our Australian HeART anthology.
Signed 2 picture book contracts in 2023:
‘I’m Not an Owl’ (title not confirmed yet). Also illustrated by Mel Corrigan will be released in March 2025, published by Woodslane Press
‘Ned Needs to Build’. Illustrated by Maria Kristjandottir will be released mid 2025, published by Starfish Bay
Megan Gim
3 published NF articles in The School Magazine, one in Double Helix
Shortlisted for the Writers Unleashed Picture Book competition in 2022
Honorable Mention for the JWFK Pitch It Competition in 2022
Milly Reynolds
Self Published 'St Sebastian, Jack and The Silver Lining' 2022
Signed a picture book contract in 2023, 'The Problem Shared' to be published 2025 by Starfish Bay Publishing
Angela Toniolo
Contract with Wombat Books for a PB due for release in 2025
Runner Up in the 2022 Larrikin House Picture Book Competition
Longlisted in the 2022 JWFK Pitch it Competition
three articles published in The School Magazine
PB Winner of the Book Pipeline 2023 Unpublished Contest.
Sally Barns
PB due for release August this year with Affirm Press
Other comments
I am ever so grateful to SCBWI for facilitating the critique groups. It is an enlightening and inspiring experience to be part of one and it brings a level of professional camaraderie to what can be an isolating career at times… I know my own work and confidence (and skin!) has grown stronger for being part of a critique group, so thank you! (SCBWI Critique Group Facilitator, L V)
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all our SCBWI Online Critique Group Facilitators and members.
Margaret