Overview: The GLAWS San Fernando Valley critique group is intentionally broad in its support for writers, and includes literary novels, short stories, anthologies, flash stories, memoirs, picture books, essays and mainstream fiction of any length.

Our format is for members to submit their writing not exceeding 4,000 words for each submittal, by email for review at least a week before the monthly meeting.

This allows time for each group member to return their review with critical, yet supportive, comments and encouragement. During the group meetings, each member enjoys the opportunity to then discuss their submissions and these reviews. This combination of encouraging feedback and live (sometimes lively) group discussion provides a strong ladder in which to reach towards our literary growth.

Let’s write, review, discuss and grow in our craft.

Meetings:

The fourth Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm.
Submittals are due to the CGL by the 3rd Saturday.
Depending on the number of submittals, each meet last from 2 to 3 hours.

Future dates: Email for information

Location:  Tarzana, San Fernando Valley, California

• Literary: Character-driven stories with an emphasis on the artistic use of language
• Mainstream: A story of broad interest (not genre-specific)

Overview:

Overview: Our group considers and discusses all aspects of your story: characters, plot, descriptions, dialogue, and style. While we accept short stories, most of our members are working on novels or other longer works, which we critique in installments. As a non-genre group, we welcome the opportunity to read, learn, and receive feedback from a diverse group of writers. We are a thoughtful, inclusive, and fun group!

Our group meets every month on Sundays, according to the calendar below. Members per cycle who wish to receive feedback at the meeting send a submission of up to 6,000 words by email a week before the meeting. Then, group members read the submissions and send comments by email (usually with Microsoft Word comments and tracked changes) before our live meeting, where each writer gets a chance to ask questions of the group. This combination of email feedback and live group discussion helps us optimize our time together, but also requires a time commitment from each group member.

Prospective members must attend one meeting as an observer and commit to reading and electronically reviewing other group members’ submissions before submitting their work to the group.

Meetings: Every four weeks on Sunday.

Meeting Date (all Sundays 1:00-5:00 PM)	Submissions Due one week before by 11:59PM on….
July 11	July 4
August 1	July 25
September 12	September 5

Initially we will use an open genre format. Short stories or novels can be mainstream, contemporary, historical, experimental, or nonfiction. Please, no screen plays.

The goal of this workshop is to help writers hone their creative skills through peer feedback. At each session, members will review submitted manuscripts. This includes offering comments on: Story, Characters, Plot, Dialogue, and Style. A guideline sheet will be available for suggested input.

Active GLAWS membership is required. When fully established, the group will meet the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month. Until the pandemic restrictions are eased, we will use the Zoom program to share our critiques.(See: Zoom.us – It’s free) Depending on the size of the group, members will be able to submit either once or twice each month.

When regular face to face meetings can begin, they will be at the El Torito Restaurant, 3333 E. Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena. (The restaurant is one block above the Sierra Madre Blvd. Gold Line Station. The restaurant has a large meeting room we can reserve.)

Critique guidelines: Submissions of up to 4,000 words using Microsoft Word. (The use of MW allows for comments and tracked changes.) Submissions should be emailed to the Critique Group Leader for distribution to members of the group at least one week before the next meeting. This allows time for each member to review the work and make critical, yet supportive comments and encouragement. Lively discussions should be the key for encouraging literary growth.

Until we start meeting face to face, reviewers should send comments to the writer prior to each session

For membership questions, please contact Wayne Welde, dedadster@aol.com

Meetings: via the Zoom network, every first and third Wednesday. Submission guidelines available after the group is formed.

Overview: ScHoFan is a critique group whose members are aimed at developing each person's writing processes through critiques, regular elevator pitch sessions, best practice sharing and our very own READ WARRIORS who provide substantive editing on finished manuscripts. Each member brings to the table their own expertise and passions in various subject areas that as a whole warrants a phenomenal session of feedback.

Meetings: Meetings typically occur the first (1st) Saturday of each month in the afternoon See Calendar

Location: Various

Overview: Westside Weird is a critique group dedicated to helping writers of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and closely-related genres improve their craft. As long as the group remains small, members may instead choose to submit other sorts of fiction for critiquing. While the following is not our main focus, sometimes we’ll explore creating elevator pitches, taglines, and other writing exercises, or discuss how to market one’s work.

Meetings : the second Tuesday of every month. Submission by members in good standing are due in Dropbox at least one full week before the meeting.

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Various

Overview:

Meetings: Currently the fourth Tuesday of each month,
subject to change to also include the second Tuesday of each month.

Future dates: Email for information

Start Time: 7:00 pm

Location:  tba

Parking: tba

• Screenplay - Motion Picture & Television
• Stage Play

• Screenplay - Motion Picture & Television
• Stage Play

• Romance (classic, modern, fantasy)
• This will include everything from traditional Harlequin-style romances to modern fantasy, such as the “Twilight” series, and Chic-Lit and Women's Fiction.

• Children's Literature
• Young Adult
• (these two genres meet together at this time)