Author Topic: We have a crit group you can join (Read 53618 times)

Heradel · **on:** July 26, 2010, 08:47:42 PM

There have been threads about this before, but I figured it's worth a perma-stickied topic in the Writing Forum for when new people wander along. We have a crit group for short(ish) fiction that's open to people who have been on the forums and would like to take part.

There aren't really any strict rules for asking to join apart from the fact you should:

A. Be willing to critique and not just read
B. Be willing to post your original works for critique (not at any particular frequency, but the group works best when everyone contributes)
C. Be willing to do so in a constructive, respectful manner.

The Critique group exists in a private subforum nearby that regular members can't see, and preserves the right of first publication should (and hopefully when) a critiqued story is sold somewhere (like, for example, one of our fine podcasts).

The basic procedure is to Private Message eytanz, who is the group's current moderator, asking to join (using the link in this sentence will do the trick). Response is usually pretty quick but it may take a couple of days. If you are a new member to the forums, you may be asked some questions just to confirm that you're not a bot or a spammer (we've had applications to join from those before).

kibitzer · **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2011, 07:21:58 AM

Thank God I'm (A) but not quite (B) and I am (C) in both (A) and (B).

Scattercat · **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2011, 08:53:01 AM

Okay, so I'm apparently the only person who has posted ANYTHING to the crit group since April 8, comment or story or anything. What gives, y'all? We need a recruitment drive!

iamafish · **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:31:00 AM

been off the horse for a while, i need to post some more crits and write some more stories (jeez, my efficiently is terrible)

Listener · **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

It may be that you're just more prolific.

Scattercat · **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2011, 11:35:59 AM

Quote from: Listener on April 30, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

It may be that you're just more prolific.

You take that back! My mother was a saint!

Dem · **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:42:21 PM

Normal service nearing resumption as uni course comes to an end. One more piece to pull out of the hat and I can get back to bothering the forums and crit groups. Got a piece through slush here (close, but no cigar) so I have EP in my sights for a return match. I assume those drafts can be posted here. Yes? No? Incognito?

Heradel · **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:02:15 PM

The posting of a story in the crit group will have no impact on the story's consideration once it's submitted, except that the slush readers may already have already read it here and formed an opinion of the story.

Dem · **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:06:27 PM

Quote from: Heradel on May 11, 2011, 08:02:15 PM

The posting of a story in the crit group will have no impact on the story's consideration once it's submitted, except that the slush readers may already have already read it here and formed an opinion of the story.

So you have to judge whether or not that's a help or a hindrance - 'Oh no, not that old tosh again!' v 'This has smartened up no end'. Ok, good to know it's one's own judgement call, thanks.

Spindaddy · **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:51:51 PM

Quote from: Scattercat on April 30, 2011, 11:35:59 AM

Quote from: Listener on April 30, 2011, 11:01:00 AM
It may be that you're just more prolific.

You take that back! My mother was a saint!

Just read this and I laughed out loud.

Well played sir!

Sheps · **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:41:56 PM

How active is it? Long time listener but new to the forums and it isn't as hustle and bustle as I would've expected.

Scattercat · **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:16:26 AM

The crit group is pretty dead, honestly. We got up to three or four active people for a little bit there, but I don't think anyone's posted in it for months. If you can scrounge up like two or three more participants...

Dem · **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:07:46 AM

The problem I found was managing a critique technically. The forum engine doesn't really lend itself to much more than summary comments when in-line is often much more useful. Not sure what to suggest, really

Listener · **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:44:05 PM

Quote from: Dem on September 11, 2012, 10:07:46 AM

The problem I found was managing a critique technically. The forum engine doesn't really lend itself to much more than summary comments when in-line is often much more useful. Not sure what to suggest, really

When I do one-to-one critiques online, I use Google Docs. I share the doc with the critter and s/he makes annotations.

Dem · **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:59:28 PM

Not a bad solution. Takes it out of the forum though, which is where the problem lies. I wonder if EA would consider a closed crit group on Google that was accessed from here - if that would even work!

Umbrageofsnow · **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2012, 12:29:25 AM

Well for what it's worth, I'll throw in my disappointment at how dead it's been, and after my flash contest submissions are done I'd be happy to participate in the crit group again.

I found the forum set-up to be a bit difficult as well, as I still usually want to do line-by-line, and I can do them with lots of quotes, but I find myself spending hours per post.

That said, I'm willing to spend hours per post, I've done a few crits in the group before, never posted my own work, due to deadness and lack of stories I'm ready to share at non-dead moments. But every time I get ready to post things, or feel I should be responding to critique responses, I find myself moving cross-country or something.

I've had a seriously chaotic last two years, full of death, failure, and constant moving. I admit that it has caused me to be flakier than I'd like, but I shall try to make up for that, assuming my life is going to actually be stable these next few months as I think it will be. I've been writing more regularly at least. Anyway, count me as a not-as-defunct-as-I-appear member of the crit group.

Scattercat · **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2012, 01:21:38 AM

Does anyone live near Charlotte, NC? Maybe we should just try for a meatspace group. :-D

kibitzer · **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2012, 03:35:48 AM

Could maybe try something more collaborative like G+ hangouts or Google groups? Could even setup something like Liferay Social Office (includes document sharing and wikis and stuff)

Dem · **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2012, 10:31:48 AM

I'm on G+ but hangouts don't usually work for me when everyone else is in the US - you're hitting the coffee when I'm hitting the sack! A collaborative docs group might work though.

Max e^{i pi} · **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2013, 04:33:44 PM

Dead crit group is dead?
Fortunately it's only mostly dead. Mostly dead is a little alive.
Lemme just put some chocolate paste on this here horse-pill....

Ivy Wood · **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2013, 10:15:25 PM

I wish it wasn't dead. I keep asking around my town (not near Charlotte) about any sort of writer's groups. Can't find anything. Sigh.

Umbrageofsnow · **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2013, 11:02:33 PM

Ivy,

You should send a PM to Eytanz to get group access (or one of the other mods, Heredal isn't around anymore) and post something in the group. I'll volunteer to take a look at it for you, and I've been meaning to revise my story from the EP flash contest into a longer one anyway, so maybe I'll revise and post that if you'll give it a look. I've also done a bit with Google Docs and it works very well for a line-by-line, but maybe we can sum things up with the forum? Let me know how you would like me to look at your story and we'll see if we can get something going. Maybe we can punch some life into this thing.

That is not dead which can eternal lie.

Cutter McKay · **Reply #22 on:** March 04, 2013, 12:37:11 AM

I just recently had Eytan add me to the group. I just haven't posted anything yet because I've been waiting for a little more activity on the forum and polishing up my new story to post. But I check it, if you post something I'll give it a read. Though this may not be the ideal time to to start, what with the 153 flash stories I'm about to read,

Scattercat · **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2013, 12:46:36 AM

I'll post the final cut of Enginesong when I get that finished. (It's been three months so far!)

The only other recently finished thing I have I've already sent out a couple places (and honestly am pretty happy with it overall), but if it would help people to have something to chew on, I can toss it up.

Umbrageofsnow · **Reply #24 on:** March 04, 2013, 12:57:21 AM

Honestly, between trying to catch up on the slush pile this week, and the Pseudopod contest, and rewriting "Autumn Leaves" into something I'm happier with, I think I've got enough on my plate with just committing to Ivy's story, but I will certainly try to reliably read anything that goes up there. So I don't personally need extra stuff to chew on, but maybe the best way to revive the group is to just...

Max e^{i pi} · **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2013, 07:18:41 AM

I also joined the crit group a while back, but so far have refrained from commenting on anything a year old.
I don't have anything to contribute right now, the only thing I had ready was for the EP flash fiction contest.
But I do check the forum regularly, and will provide feedback for whatever new stories appear.

Ivy Wood · **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2013, 02:41:08 PM

Umbrage, I would like that. Let me arrange all my necessaries and tweak my story a bit! Yes, I'd be happy to look at your story, too. It'd be so nice if we could resuscitate this floundering beast.

DoWhileNot · **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2013, 01:41:14 AM

I'm interested, and I've got a story that I could really use some critiques on.

So, Eytanz is the one to ask for membership?

Ivy Wood · **Reply #28 on:** March 09, 2013, 04:09:44 AM

I'll try to post a little something this weekend. My schedule is finally beginning to open up a bit.

Scattercat · **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2013, 04:33:43 AM

I wrote another 112 words on "Enginesong."

Why is there not an emoticon for exhausted fake exultation?

Ivy Wood · **Reply #30 on:** March 19, 2013, 02:55:49 AM

Well, I finally worked up the courage. It's late and I'm off to bed, but I did post a story, so...there's that.

Tomorrow I'll read the work of my daring brethren in the crit group and I'll try to give my most thoughtful comments. It would be great if we could get this going.

Oh, btw...the story I posted, Borderlands, has been rejected twice. I wrote it a couple of months ago. It's one my longest short stories, around 3,800 words, I think.

Thanks all! G'night!

Mouseneb · **Reply #31 on:** May 21, 2013, 01:51:17 AM

Hmm. I don't have enough forum posts yet to officially request access to the crit group, although I do listen to all three podcasts a ton and love them so.

If there is still a crit group though, I'd like to officially register my interest

MonsieurMoustache · **Reply #32 on:** August 31, 2013, 06:58:33 AM

Unfortunately I've just joined, but I'm willing to be on probation and crit a while until my good counsel earns me a spot on the king's table and all that. Would that be alright?

Mouseneb · **Reply #33 on:** August 31, 2013, 07:57:56 AM

This group appears to be dead. I propose we form a new one.

eytanz · **Reply #34 on:** August 31, 2013, 09:38:42 AM

It's not dead, though it is very slow. But the procedure for joining it needs to be updated.

For now, if anyone wants to join, please PM me. I'll update this thread and tidy it up later.

Cutter McKay · **Reply #35 on:** August 31, 2013, 02:33:58 PM

It's definitely not dead, Max posted a story just this week, although I'm the only one who has commented on it $:-\$ It usually just takes a week or two for people to find time to read and comment.

Umbrageofsnow · **Reply #36 on:** September 10, 2013, 07:23:51 AM

I've had a very stressful couple of months, but I hereby swear that I will read and comment on all the stories in the crit group once I (and/or everyone else, but I'm really going to try to do a lot this week because I have some serious free time) get the EP slushbox looking a bit less terrifying!

Anything that doesn't have a post saying "don't bother, I sold this thing already."

Might take a while, but damn it, I want this Crit Group to live, even though I've done almost nothing to accomplish that this year. Stupid year...

*wanders off muttering to self*

SpareInch · **Reply #37 on:** July 31, 2014, 10:51:43 AM

Can I take it that since no one has posted to this thread since September that the group is rolling along OK?

If it is, then I'd be interested. I'd love some feedback to tell me why my stories are no good... Or great, of course. So far, the nicest thing anyone ever said about one was that it needed a whole new ending.

Scattercat · **Reply #38 on:** July 31, 2014, 11:04:31 AM

Still ticking along nicely, yes. Unfortunately, the guy who knows how the forum buttons works (eytanz) is having a bit of Real Life. It might be a wee bit before he can get you added and/or tell one of us incompetents how to manage it. ;-)

SpareInch · **Reply #39 on:** July 31, 2014, 11:39:24 AM

Quote from: Scattercat on July 31, 2014, 11:04:31 AM

Still ticking along nicely, yes. Unfortunately, the guy who knows how the forum buttons works (eytanz) is having a bit of Real Life. It might be a wee bit before he can get you added and/or tell one of us incompetents how to manage it. ;-)

So... Better to hold off? Or just message and be prepared for a long wait?

Scattercat · **Reply #40 on:** July 31, 2014, 11:47:28 AM

Well, he'll see this thread, I'm sure, but you could also message him directly if it makes you feel better. :-D

eytanz · **Reply #41 on:** July 31, 2014, 12:16:53 PM

Yup, caught it and added you to the group, SpareInch. You should see it now on your board list.

gunsofchekhovia · **Reply #42 on:** August 07, 2014, 12:35:09 PM

Ooh ooh me. I want to join. Me.

gunsofchekhovia · **Reply #43 on:** August 07, 2014, 12:41:23 PM

Sorry. I don't have more than a dozen posts on the forum, but I promise I'm not a robot. And I'm pretty damned good at critting.

Varda · **Reply #44 on:** August 07, 2014, 01:12:46 PM

Quote from: gunsofchekhovia on August 07, 2014, 12:41:23 PM

Sorry. I don't have more than a dozen posts on the forum, but I promise I'm not a robot. And I'm pretty damned good at critting.

I'll enthusiastically vouch for Guns joining the crit group.

gunsofchekhovia · **Reply #45 on:** August 07, 2014, 03:10:59 PM

Thanks! I love it when people enthusiastically vouch for me!

Scuba Man · **Reply #46 on:** September 10, 2014, 12:13:52 AM

Quote from: Max e^{i pi} on January 31, 2013, 04:33:44 PM

Dead crit group is dead?
Fortunately it's only mostly dead. Mostly dead is a little alive.
Lemme just put some chocolate paste on this here horse-pill....

Will it work?
It'll take a miracle.
[I love me some Miracle Max]

thebroken · **Reply #47 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:10:15 AM

I tried following the instructions of sending a direct message to the person indicated in the stick thread. No reply. Should I attempt posting to the thread, or is the best idea to look elsewhere for a crit group?

SpareInch · **Reply #48 on:** March 25, 2015, 04:43:22 AM

Did you message Eytanz? Only the other guy who said 'Message me' isn't about any more.

The group is still going strong, and even just posting here should get you noticed. It worked for me

I don't know how much Eytan is about RIGHT now, but apparently, only he knows how to work the magic locks and let people in. When the Crit Group shows up at the top of the writing forum, you're in.

Aaronvlek · **Reply #49 on:** April 08, 2015, 03:49:04 AM

So, howdy. If I want to join the critique group and want to get "noticed" (not something I've ever gad a problem with) by posting, is that anywhere on the forum, or here specifically? I'm next to new(old fart) but newb to you.

eytanz · **Reply #50 on:** April 11, 2015, 02:09:47 PM

Since I've missed some posts on this thread lately, and the initial post was misleading, I want to confirm what SpareInch said - the current way to request to join the group is to message me.

HeartSailor · **Reply #51 on:** August 10, 2015, 11:56:22 AM

Dumb question, but I don't know how these things work. I've written a little piece for the upcoming Pseudopod Flash fiction contest- is it cool to post for the crit group? Or is that a possible breach of etiquette?

I'm very new at this (OK, this is my first crack at writing anything like this), so I want to learn and get feedback but I also don't want to do anything I'm not supposed to do.

Thanks!

HS

Varda · **Reply #52 on:** August 10, 2015, 02:19:46 PM

HeartSailor, if this is a story you want to enter into the flash contest, then I'd recommend you don't post it in the EA crit group. While you're certainly allowed to have people crit your entry ahead of time, anyone who knows your identity as the author will be disqualified from voting for that piece, since the contest is supposed to be anonymous. And since a lot of forumites have access to the crit group, you'd be cutting out a lot of potential voters before the contest even starts.

That said, one of the wonderful things about the flash contest is that people generally give lots of useful feedback when they read the entries, so if you don't win, you can revise it after the fact.

HeartSailor · **Reply #53 on:** August 10, 2015, 03:14:52 PM

Perfect!

Thank you. It will be a learning process!

HS

kibitzer · **Reply #54 on:** August 10, 2015, 10:59:52 PM

HS -- I feel it's worth noting that the FFC feedback can sometimes be... robust. I'm not saying folks will rip you apart -- that doesn't happen here -- but some of it can be blunt. Be prepared, but don't be afraid

It's all good.

Anthony Creamer · **Reply #55 on:** October 03, 2015, 05:03:10 PM

Quote from: Varda on August 10, 2015, 02:19:46 PM

And since a lot of forumites have access to the crit group, you'd be cutting out a lot of potential voters before the contest even starts.

How many people are in the writing group these days? I read through earlier posts in this thread where numbers seemed to be an issue and I am curious.

I'm assuming the group encompasses more than just the three genres of the escape artists podcasts or do members stick to those genres?

Kabal · **Reply #56 on:** October 03, 2015, 06:49:53 PM

I guess the real question is how many active members are there. It's been slow lately but off the top of my head: me, windup, Spareinch, gunsofchekovia and sunkist_sudafed.

Unblinking is always around lurking I think.

Let me know if I've missed anyone.

As far as I know, no genre restrictions.

SpareInch · **Reply #57 on:** October 03, 2015, 09:08:38 PM

Quote from: Poisonwaters on October 03, 2015, 05:03:10 PM

Quote from: Varda on August 10, 2015, 02:19:46 PM
And since a lot of forumites have access to the crit group, you'd be cutting out a lot of potential voters before the contest even starts.

How many people are in the writing group these days? I read through earlier posts in this thread where numbers seemed to be an issue and I am curious.

I'm assuming the group encompasses more than just the three genres of the escape artists podcasts or do members stick to those genres?

I have no idea how many forumites have access to the crit group, but any forum member is welcome, and I know that all the moderators and all past and present EA editors on the forum have access.

Just at the moment, the group is pretty quiet, but the more the merrier as far as I am concerned. Post, and it will be critiqued. In the past I think only spec fic was posted there, but if the critters don't object, then, well, they don't object. There is a thread in the Crit Group where you can ask them.

archaevist · **Reply #58 on:** January 14, 2016, 04:42:24 AM

I'd love to join the crit group!

ZekeSixsmith · **Reply #59 on:** March 27, 2016, 01:45:00 PM

I would also like to join the critique group please!

aliceingoreland · **Reply #60 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:27:53 PM

I want a story to read.

aliceingoreland · **Reply #61 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:31:10 PM

Quote from: ZekeSixsmith on March 27, 2016, 01:45:00 PM

I would also like to join the critique group please!

Got a story to read?

aliceingoreland · **Reply #62 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:33:03 PM

Quote from: gunsofchekhovia on August 07, 2014, 12:35:09 PM

Ooh ooh me. I want to join. Me.

Do you have a story to read?

SpareInch · **Reply #63 on:** April 30, 2016, 05:44:01 AM

Quote from: aliceingoreland on April 29, 2016, 09:27:53 PM

I want a story to read.

You have to critique them as well as read them. Crit Group isn't just a source of free fiction. But if you do want to critique, then I'm sure we'll all look forward to seeing you in there.

PatrickAzimuth · **Reply #64 on:** October 26, 2017, 05:58:16 PM

Hi! I was so excited when I found this - have been looking for some form of critique group - physical or virtual - but so far without luck. And also reading my way into knowing more about the publishing side of SF. Is this group still active? If so I would love to join and am definitely down for A, B and plenty of C. Thanks!

Not-a-Robot · **Reply #65 on:** October 27, 2017, 08:38:10 PM

Quote from: PatrickAzimuth on October 26, 2017, 05:58:16 PM

Hi! I was so excited when I found this - have been looking for some form of critique group - physical or virtual - but so far without luck. And also reading my way into knowing more about the publishing side of SF. Is this group still active? If so I would love to join and am definitely down for A, B and plenty of C. Thanks!

Hi Patrick,

Yes, the group is active. Send a private message to Eytanz or another moderator to join.

PatrickAzimuth · **Reply #66 on:** October 27, 2017, 09:31:10 PM

Great - thanks Not-a-Robot, will do.

LinkP · **Reply #67 on:** April 01, 2020, 01:33:21 PM

I'll be joining once I get my forum legs under me.