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The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society Critique
Groups fulfill an important part of our mission to create a nurturing
and mentoring environment for writers of all disciplines. Critique groups
help writers of any level of experience improve his or her work in a
peer-to-peer environment, while treating each member and their work with
equal respect.
Our groups meet by individual genres, so you are only meeting with writers of similar interests.
We have main group categories (brown titles),
and genres (bullet bold) within each group. Each group sets its own meeting
schedule: some meet monthly, others weekly or bi-weekly. Should one group
grow too large, it may split into two, or sub-genres, and function on
its own, as always, within the GLAWS Critique Group Guidelines.
The GLAWS Guidelines provides detailed information
on how to prepare for a critique, how to present your material, as well
as how to critique the material of other members in a respectful, constructive
manner. This document was developed after evaluation of other writers'
groups across the country. We also have guideliness for our Critique
Group Leaders to maintain consisten professional standards in a
friendly, nurturing, protective environment.
NOTE: GLAWS Members please wear your badge. Non-members are welcome to attend a session,
but may not submit their work for critique until they join GLAWS. They
may join at any time. There
is NO charge for Members "In Good Standing" to participate
in a GLAWS Critique Group. Bring your GLAWS
badge as proof of Membership.
Due to the pandemic, critique groups are being held virtually via Zoom. Groups will vote individually as to when and where they consider it safe to meet again in person.
- Mystery, Suspense, Crime,
- Courtroom Drama, Legal,
- Detective/Police Procedural Thriller,
- Action Adventures
- New schedule to be voted on by participating members...
Suspense, mystery, and thrillers share many of the same literary techniques and tools which can result in manuscripts that cross over mainstream, contemporary, historical, and speculative fields. The goal of this workshop will be to hone our craft. Building suspense, creating red herrings, gingerly dropping clues, great character development and complex plots with subplots, illuminating fear and dread, writing sentences that work are among skills we will share with each other.
A new meeting schedule Via Zoom, time to be determined by the group. First first and and or third Wednesday is proposed.
GLAWS members in good standing who want to have their work read and critiqued will submit their work (limited to 4,000 words) a week prior. Prior submission will allow time for the group to engage in a meaningful and lively dialogue with encouragement and support.
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Virtual Critique Group Leader: Email |
- 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.
- Genre or Area of Focus: All kinds of romance and science fiction, paranormal fiction, mystery and adventure with a strong romantic element
- New groups forming. Attending members will vote on when to meet.
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Critique
Group Leader: |
- 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 via Zoom until further notice. Submissions Due by 11:59 PM one week before
Meetings
Sundays 1:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time |
Submissions Due ONE WEEK BEFORE MEETING at 11:59 PM on…. |
Feb 05, 2023 |
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Mar 05, 2023 |
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Apr 02, 2023 |
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May 07, 2023 |
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Jun 04, 2023 |
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Critique
Group Leader: |
Critique
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Critique
Group Advisor: |
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.
Critique guidelines: Submissions of up to 4,000 words using Microsoft Word. (The use of MW allows for comments and tracked changes.) Submissions members in good standing 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
Meetings: via the Zoom network, every first and third Wednesday. Submission guidelines available after the group is formed.
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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 in good standing 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.
Location: San Fernando Valley, California
Critique
Group Leader:
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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
Location: Currently virtual |
Pasadena Critique Group Leader: Ken Hughes |
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.
the second Tuesday of every month. Submission by members in good standing are due in Dropbox at least one full week before the meeting.1
7:00 pm
Currently virtual |
Westside Critique Group Leader: John Gwinner |
- Screenplay - Motion Picture & Television
- Stage Play
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Critique
Group Leader: John Gwinner Email
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- Screenplay - Motion Picture & Television
- Stage Play
Meetings are held at Los Angeles Valley
College Campus
See
Calendar
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(SF
Valley) tba |
Overview:
HOLLSCRIT is a critique group comprised of screenwriters committed to giving and receiving supportive and helpful feedback on fellow members’ completed scripts or works in progress. We also set aside time during our meetings for pitch practice and discussion on making the best presentation of ourselves and our ideas in those all-important meetings with producers and studio executives.
HOLLSCRIT is a safe and welcoming place for those with stories to tell and scripts to go with them!
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
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- Children's Literature
- Young Adult
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Critique
Group Leader: |
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