Critique Groups
As of January, 2005, we have a total of 80 critique groups, 54 of which are open face to face critique groups spread out over New England. All SCBWI members who are looking for a group to join can email critiquegroups@nescbwi.org with your name and interests, so that we can have them on file.
If there are no open groups listed in your area, think about starting one up. We have starter packets available with information, books to suggest and experienced group leaders who will be happy to answer your questions. Email critiquegroups@nescbwi.org for more information.
Online Groups
Unfortunately at this time, we don't have any open online groups. If you'd like to start one, or if you have questions about the way an online group works, please read Everything You've Always Wanted To Know About Cyber-Critiquing (but were too much of a CLUC to ask) by SCBWI member and online group leader, Peggy Tromblay.
Offline Groups
These critique groups are only open to members of the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators. If you are not yet a member, please join us.
If there are no email addresses for group leaders, please email critiquegroups@nescbwi.org
| CONNECTICUT: |
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Cheshire |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Fairfield Group |
jamm@snet.net -The group concentrates on middle grades and YA's. They meet once a month in the evening with people who are actively reading and writing in the genre. |
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Guilford/Shoreline Area |
KathKud@aol.com-Once Upon a Shoreline Writer's Group welcomes all and orally critiques any material (manuscript or portfolio) aimed at the children's market. We draw from an area stretching from New Haven, CT east through Lyme and inland to Middletown and, in seventeen years, our members have popped champagne corks 83 times for new contracts signed. The group currently meets at Guilford Community Center on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:30-10:00pm. |
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Newington |
ihcc95@cox.net |
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Stamford |
Bearrat77@aol.com |
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Western CT Picture Book Group |
westernctcritgroup@nancycassidy.com |
-The Western Connecticut Picture Book Group draws from a 25-mile radius of New Milford, CT, including Danbury, Litchfield, Newtown and points beyond. We meet monthly in New Milford. This group's focus is on the creation of picture books and illustrated early readers. We are primarily illustrators, but also welcome PB writers. If you are interested in joining, please send an email with "Critique Group" in the subject line. Tell us something about yourself, include any titles you may have written or illustrated and, if you are an illustrator, a link to where your work may be viewed. Indicate whether or not you're an SCBWI member.
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| MASSACHUSETTS: |
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Acton |
VictoriaJCoe@yahoo.com |
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Amherst |
zide@aol.com |
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Andover |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Arlington |
claireblumenfeld@hotmail.com |
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Bellingham Area |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Cambridge |
pcsherman@earthlink.net |
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Cape Cod |
sgmg@comcast.net |
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Chicopee |
juliec71@charter.netLooking for genre and age range variety? Look no further! We are a diverse group of writers with open minds and sharp pencils ready to welcome new authors. |
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Duxbury |
BarbOC@aol.com |
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Easthampton |
RVIllustrators@yahoogroups.com River Valley Illustrators |
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East Sandwich Illustrators Group |
mnoise@adelphia.net |
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GBIG-Greater Boston Illustrator's Group |
pfd@pfdstudio.com-GBIG meets once a month, usually on the third Sunday afternoon, at the Weston Library. |
New! |
First and Last Wednesday Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Critique Group |
asummershayes@comcast.net-Hadley-First and Last Wednesday Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Critique Group-This group is open to published and unpublished writers. The objective of this group is to build a supportive community, share ideas and experiences, and to provide a forum for writers to critique each other's work. First meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 (the second being on Wednesday, March 30th). If you are interested, please email the group facilitator Amy Summers-Hayes at the address above. |
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Hatfield |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.orgThe Hatfield workshop meets at the Hatfield Public Library from 7-9:30pm, usually on the last Tuesday of the month. We workshop manuscripts from board books to novels and offer illustration critique twice a year. We do not meet in July or August. At the workshop, we pass on news of the publishing world, hear members' work and offer peer critiques of manuscripts and artwork. You may read your work every third time you attend. If there are few readers, the leader may offer a presentation or writing activity. If you are not a national member of SCBWI, you are welcome to attend the workshop for a $3 contribution at each workshop you attend. Money collected at the meetings helps pay for the mailing of semi-annual meeting date notices and champagne to celebrate members' first manuscript contracts. To get to the Hatfield Public Library, take Route 91 to exit 21. Follow the "To Hatfield" signs and continue for 2.25 miles where, after a deep bend in the road, the library is on the left, guarded by cannons.
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Hingham |
hollymatisis@yahoo.com |
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Holliston |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org-Our group focuses on all kinds of picture books, middle grade and young adult. We ask that if you are sharing a chapter book that you limit your work to one chapter or ten pages, whichever is correct for your project. For picture books we will look at the entire manuscript. Currently we have no illustrators in our group, but illustrators are welcome to join us and we will gladly share reactions and give comments.
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Hull |
writemor@quik.com-
Name of group: Sure-Lines in American History. A serious-minded group, dedicated in completing our manuscripts!
Location: Hull, MA... in our homes or on Nantasket Beach.
Focus:This group has a primary focus in American history. This is the only restriction. Works critiqued may be fiction or non-fiction; and may be written toward any age group.
Meets: weekly.
Specific Rules/ Number of members: this information will be determined by the interest generated and by those who join. |
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Leominster |
crimson290@comcast.net |
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Mansfield |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Marblehead |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Needham Illustrators Group |
cnjstudio@aol.com |
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New Bedford/Dartmouth |
C42357@aol.com |
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Newburyport |
CJEfiddle@aol.com |
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Newtonville |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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North Billerica |
marioneldridge@comcast.net -Our group is for writers, illustrators and author/illustrators and we meet once a month on Thursday night.
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Northborough |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.orgOur group spans many genres, including picture books, poetry for various ages and middle grade fiction and non-fiction. |
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Peabody |
yetti@frenkelfamily.org |
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Saugus |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Southern Berkshire Group |
willpower40@hotmail.com |
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Springfield |
Allwrite4us@aol.com-The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the West Springfield Library, in the 2nd floor conference room. |
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Waban |
critiquegroups@nescbwi.org |
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Waltham |
memoh.yee@att.net |
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Westport |
C42357@aol.com-The group meets every third Friday at the Westport Library. The library opens at 10:30 a.m. The meeting starts at 10:30 and goes until noon. The group has six active members and always welcomes new writers. |
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| NEW HAMPSHIRE: |
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Bedford |
MLDuboi@aol.com |
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Nashua |
Iseethemoon95@aol.com |
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Nashua Illustrators |
drawing4kids@aol.com-The Nashua Illustrators Critique group meets the first Tuesday of each month in the East Wing of the Nashua Public Library from 6:30 - 9:00. We are open to illustrators interested in children's illustration, from beginners to published. We offer support, advice and critiques of each others work. We share news and information and often accompany each other to conferences. First timers bring your portfolio and current work for critique, and please contact before first meeting.
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Newport |
hotdog@sugar-river.net |
New! |
Portsmouth |
harveekiti@yahoo.com-Children's Poetry Group is looking for interested members. The group meets one Wednesday a month from 630-830. Contact Nancy Knapp at above email address for further information. |
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| RHODE ISLAND: |
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East Bay Critique Group |
mberkley@etal.uri.edu-We're a new group looking for members in the Newport, Portsmouth, Middletown, Bristol, Warren, Barrington, area. People in the neighboring areas, including SE Mass, Seekonk area also welcome.
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Smithfield |
LilyandCo@aol.com |
New! |
Warwick |
ThePeanutFarm@msn.com or maya473@aol.com-Please put 'critique group' in the subject line of all emails. The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00-11:00am at the Warwick Barnes & Noble. |
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Westerly |
childrenslit@yahoo.com |
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