When it comes to improving your manuscripts, self-editing can be a tough gig, especially if you’re a newbie. Many new writers as well as those who are established, have turned to critique groups for help. Critique groups can be absolutely wonderful, or they can be devastating. The group that I’ve been involved with for the last several years are all established children’s book writers, but critique groups can encompass a range of genre and levels of experience and still be effective.
I believe that five ingredients are essential to a successful critique group:
mutual trust,
mutual respect,
the ability to really listen,
the ability to be constructively honesty,
and the ability to criticize kindly.
New York editor, Emma Dryden has a great recipe for successful critique groups. Check it out here.
Sheryl McFarlane 