Year of the Book | Need a Critique Group?

A group of Yiddish writers: Bialik, Ben Ami, Sholem Aleichem, Sholem Yankev Abramovich (Mendele) (Source: Benny’s Post Cards)

When I announced 2017 as The Year of the Book, among those The Whole Megillah readers who wanted to participate, two write picture books. I suggested we form a critique group. Within the two weeks, we’ve shared and commented on at least eight books between the three of us.

So I began to wonder whether other readers are also interested in forming “virtual” groups. In particular, perhaps fiction (MG, YA, adult) or creative nonfiction (MG, YA, adult).

Why a critique group? If you’ve never participated in one before, having another set of eyes read your manuscript can give you new insights into your work. Reading someone else’s manuscript helps that author and it helps you. You may become inspired by what someone else wrote or you may see issues you have in your own writing.

Why a Jewish critique group? Because you don’t have to explain why you place your characters at Camp Mishigas, why your characters lament the Holocaust, or why your characters struggle with Jewish identity.

Just comment below and I’ll try to match you up, depending on the response I get.