Novel Critique Group
My guest blogger today is Meg Westley, who has this to say about a critique group for novels:
“The group I joined - Deadly Prose - is seeking new members and I couldn’t help think of all the great writers and critters who might be interested in getting whole novel feedback,” even if they’ve been done chapter-by-chapter in other critique groups.
“The Deadly Prose Critique Group consists of published and unpublished novelists dedicated to the full-novel critique and career-building. We exchange critiques using a detailed template. Deadly Prose is designed for people who have completed novel drafts and are ready to deliver and receive honest critiques.
“Critiquing sessions are scheduled for six- to eight-week periods. Your entire novel is critiqued in a few weeks (pretty intense when you’re doing the critting, but terrific when you’re receiving the crits!). You receive feedback on character, plot, pace, opening and closing of scenes, prose, dialogue, setting & point of view, as well as in-line nits –– all with the view of giving you the information you need to polish your work.
“The group is designed for serious novelists working towards a career, and there is an application process to join. If you are a published author (any genre), you’re asked to submit a list of publishing credits and a critique of a flawed chapter (that is supplied to you.) If you are an unpublished novelist with a completed novel, you’re asked to submit a writing sample (the first chapter of your novel) and a sample critique. An admissions committee of five reads submissions and votes on whether to admit the applicant or not.
“If you are interested in knowing more, you can check out the group’s public website. If you want to apply, it would be best to contact me directly: megwestley@gmail.com.
“In any case, I thought you might be interested in hearing about this group.”
(Jeannette writing now) I have to say that it sounds terrific. Most critique groups (IWW, Zoetrope, etc.) go through novels a chapter or so at a time, which really doesn’t allow for complete critiques — it’s a little like basing your opinion of someone’s physique on only having seen his or her foot, for example.
Aspiring novelists should check out the website, perhaps consider joining. And then you’ll be … beyond the elements of style!
Posted in About Writing, Words on May 6th, 2008