HOME

A Group for Everyone…

What is a Critique Group?

It may sound a little intimidating, but a critique group is simply a group of writers (of various abilities and genre interests) who get together regularly to share their work and give and receive feedback and support. If you think you might be interested in a group, email one of the group leaders below by clicking on the leader’s name.

Current groups that are meeting in the SSI area

BEGINNERS (for all genres and all writers who want help getting started)

  • Led by Scott Slechta
  • Meets the 3rd Monday (1:00 pm) of the month AND 1st Tuesday (1:30 pm), expect June-August
  • Jittery Joes in Redfern Village

FICTION (general)

NON-FICTION/MEMOIR

CHILDRENS/YOUNG ADULT

POETRY

DEVOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

Why Join a Critique Group?

by Caludia Collins Mullins (SSIWS member)

Enjoy writing? Simply for your own enjoyment or possibly dream of one day being a published author? Hesitant about exposing your thoughts and ideas to others?  Once upon a time over a year ago, I was sitting where you are today. Then I took a step.  I joined a  group through the SSI Writers Society after attending a meet and greet. I went mainly because the location was somewhere I had always wanted to visit. I met the nicest group of people, all with the shared interest of improving their skill of storytelling.

The first small group gathering was definitely a step out of my comfort zone.  However, I asked if I could just come and observe, get to know the other members, and decide if I was comfortable with the process of peer review.  It was a revelation how positive the critiques were even when questioning grammar, syntax, plot development, even characterizations. A couple of months under my belt, I submitted my first article, welcomed the well-intentioned feedback, and continue to enjoy our monthly gathering immensely.  My group has published authors, authors still waiting to be published, and writers whose work is for their own enjoyment.  We have novelists, short story authors, and article authors.  Currently the writing topics include a futuristic fantasy; a coming of age story; an intriguing plot exploring segregation and the Vietnam War; a murder on Long Island, NY; a broken engagement in Asheville, NC; a ghost in Charleston; and a travel log.

If you enjoy putting words on paper, I encourage you to consider joining the SSI Writers Society.

It has certainly enriched my life.  It will enrich yours too.