Springs Writers May Critique Group Meets This Saturday

Someone related an interesting perception regarding who attends our critique groups. Is the Springs Writers critique group only for people who write books?

Nope.

It’s for any writer—whether you blog, write web content, pen 100 word articles or 100,000 word books or family memoirs.

Do you …

• * want to brainstorm a book idea in a confidential, creative setting?
• * wonder how to get rid of passive verbs, adjectives and adverbs but don’t know how change empty words into an active, powerful statement or question?
• * question how to apply writing skills pointed out by the speakers to your writing?
• * have your book written, but need to figure out chapter formatting or write a query or book proposal?
• * want to improve your writing and editorial skills to be a compelling communicator?

A critique group bolsters your confidence to put your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and stories swirling in your head and heart onto paper. Springs Writers fiction and nonfiction critique groups focus on encouragement, support, insight, feedback, and editorial and marketing input to turn writing dreams into polished, marketable writing skills.
Feeling too scared, insecure or intimidated to attend?

That’s normal.

From concept to written word to publication, a critique group provides a mini-focus group of readers to inspire you. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. Do you want someone cheer you on to express your voice and God-given talent? Join others pursuing the passion to write. Springs Writers is here to serve you.

Springs Writers Fiction and Nonfiction Critique Groups

When: Saturday, May 1, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM

Where: 5209 Del Paz Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Get Driving Directions

Questions? Call or text: 719-209-9066

The fiction and nonfiction critique group meets this Saturday, May 1. Haven’t already emailed your manuscript for feedback? Bring copies to hand out. Those who submit by the two-week-before-the-meeting deadline are critiqued first. 

April: Springs Writers Critique Group

When: April 17, 2010, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Where: 5209 Del Paz Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80918

If you don’t have the courage to submit a manuscript, we encourage you to come and observe. Never participated in a critique group? Post a comment below, provide your email and we will send you a fiction and nonfiction critique checklist to review.

There are two groups—fiction and nonfiction. The current participants agreed:

• Each person e-mails their group (fiction or nonfiction) their submission.
• If you are new, bring five copies of your manuscript for a read through critique.
• You have two weeks to get your submission in to your group (fiction or non-fiction) and then you have two weeks to critique others' submissions.
• Bring copies of your critiques with you to give to the author—either "hard" copies, i.e. printed out, or on your laptop.
• Bring one printed copy of your submission, just in case someone new joins.

Springs Writers 2010 Critique Group Meetings and Submission Deadlines

Starting in May, our critique group will meet the first Monday of the month. We changed from the second Saturday of the month, because we don’t want to conflict with ACFW’s monthly meeting.

Below are the dates for submissions and the critique group meeting. Submissions are sent two weeks before the critique group meeting. If you want to send your manuscript to the group sooner, that’s gives critiquer’s even more time.

Summer critique groups and vacations often clash. Please note that the regular critique group attendees will decide whether or not to meet in June and July.  

• April Meeting: April 17, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: ASAP

• May Meeting: May 1, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: April 17, 2010

• June Meeting: June 5, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: May 22, 2010

• July Meeting: July 3, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: June 19, 2010

• August Meeting: August 7, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: July 24, 2010

• September Meeting: September 4, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: August 21, 2010

• October Meeting: October 2, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: September 18, 2010

• November Meeting: November 6, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: October 23, 2010

• December Meeting: December 4, 2010, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Submission deadline: November 20, 2010

Springs Writers Critique Group Manuscript Format

Please submit your manuscript in a Word document 97-2004 in the format listed below. This format reflects the professional guidelines required by most publishers.  If submitting to a particular magazine or publisher, please include the writer's guidelines. That way critiquers can provide feedback based upon the target audience and publisher's guidelines.

 

Header

Flush left

• Last name (or your pseudonym's last name)
• Book title or key word, if the title is long.

Flush right

• Page number

Margins

• 1-inch on all sides

Paragraph indent

• .5

Font:

• Times New Roman
• Font style: regular
• Size: 12

Spacing:

• Double space

First page format

• Upper left hand corner:
• Name
• E-mail
• Word count
• Middle of page:
• Chapter 1 (for fiction)
• Title
• Byline (only for articles)

 Springs Writers Critique Group Submission Guidelines

• Spell check before submitting your manuscript.
• Submit two weeks before the group meets.
• Send the entire article or chapter, however, members are only required to critique five pages.

Critique Comment Boxes and Highlight Colors

Highlight words, sentences or passages, then highlight with the appropriate color. Of course, every writer loves to see green.

Use Comment Boxes

• Highlight word, sentence, or paragraph
• Click on ‘Insert’
• Click on ‘Comment’
• Type your critique in comment box.

Use Highlighting

• Highlight word(s)
• Click on ^ABC on toolbar.
• Choose highlight color

Critique Highlighting Colors

Highlight words, sentences or passages, then highlight with the appropriate color. Of course, every writer loves to see green.

• Blue (rework)
• Yellow (passive)
• Fuchsia (repetitive)
• Green (love it)
• Red (adverbs/unnecessary words)
• Grey (delete)