END OF YEAR REPORT 2025
by Margaret Roc SCBWI Online Critique Coordinator – Final Report
SUCCESS OF OPERATION
Online Critique Groups, our exciting initiative to help writers and illustrators link up to share their work and learn from each other, has now completed its 10th successful year.
From a small beginning in 2015 of 2 groups with 8 members, when we started, I am pleased to report that we now have 39 Online Critique Groups, with 204 members, covering all genres from Picture Books through to Middle Grade/Young Adult, for writers and illustrators. The number of groups and participating members vary from year to year as new groups are formed and old groups close.
GROUPS AT PRESENT
At present we have the following groups:
Picture Books (writers only) 14 groups 82 members
Picture Books (writers/Illustrators) 7 groups 35 members
Picture Books (Illustrators only) 1 group 7 members
Junior Fiction (writers) 0 (often these groups merge into (PB/MG/YA)
Junior Fiction/Middle Grade (W) 3 groups 18 members
Middle Grade/Upper MG/YA 3 groups 12 members
Graphic novel (Writers) (New Gp) 1 group 2 members
NF(Writers) (writers/Illustrators) 2 groups 7 members
PAL PB/(also JF/MG) (Writers) 5 groups 28 members
PAL (JF/UMG/YA (Writers) 1 group 6 members
PAL (NF) PB/JF/UMG/ YA(W/I) 1 group 5 members
PAL (Illustration Only) 1 group 2 members
As can be seen above, many groups start off as only one category but over time merge into other categories. This often happens with groups.
GRAPHIC NOVEL (Writers) is a new group recently formed with only two members.
GREAT FEEDBACK
I am very grateful to the many members who have been in touch to tell me how much they enjoy their Online Critique Group and how valuable the feedback, friendship, support and the wonderful suggestions and ideas they get from each other, and how they enjoy critiquing and supporting the other talented writers in their group and learning themselves along the way.
SUCCESS STORIES
There have been amazing success stories from critique group members over the years. These are just some successes taken from the 2025 Report: (These are not the group names)
Group A: one member signed with a UK agent and has 2 books coming out. One member has a PB contract, the book coming out later 2026. Another member has had two JF books published 2025.
Group B: Not yet published but reported it has been lovely being part of this group and we have had some positive reports from publishers.
Group C: One member’s book became a CBCA Notable book (2025); another achieved 2 PB contracts and one had her first PB published.
Group D: One member got a contract for a MG novel, and another got a job as a creative writing teacher.
Group E: Reported that since critiquing together from 2021 they have had 15 books published and have 4 on the way.
Group F: One member has had a PB published and another has won some competitions and has signed with an agent.
Group G: 4 publications in 2025 and one Fellowship for emerging writers for researching a MG book.
Group H: No successes yet but hoping for one soon.
Group I: We’ve all reviewed a MS each. We’re all really great writers, I’m so relieved. Everyone is super supportive of each other – feels like a little cheer squad. (new group)
Group J: We have had several success stories some of which we cannot make public at this time.
Group K: One member has had a PB published and is working on another; 2 are in the process of submission and another has illustrated 2 PBs and is contracted for another book and a graphic novel series for this year.
Group L: There have been competition wins, shortlisting, articles for the School Magazine and 4 PB books published and 3 more due 2027 and another on the way.
These are the reports of only some of the groups.
A MEMBER DRIVE TO ENCOURAGE NEW MEMBERS TO FILL SMALL GROUPS AND FORM NEW GROUPS IS RECOMMENDED FOR 2026.
Many successful published SCBWI members today (writers and Illustrators) have started their careers in Critique Groups made up of talented, keen, unpublished writers and illustrators so if this is something that appeals to you, we encourage you to join up, participate, widen your networks and have fun. You can find the link here.
Margaret Roc ARA
Online Critique Coordinator