Novel Boot Camp is only a week away! Before we all get absorbed in the excitement and chaos, let’s make some writing friends and snag some critique partners!
**Note: This meetup does not end at any specific time. Feel free to post here throughout Novel Boot Camp!**
Writing Friend: Someone to chat with about writing and publishing. Someone to give you a nudge (or a shove) when you fall behind on your goals. Someone to laugh and cry with you about your writing ups and downs.
Critique Partner: Someone to exchange full or partial manuscripts with in order to offer critiques of each other’s work. Must be polite, courteous, constructive, but also honest.
There are two ways to connect:
Twitter Meetup
Tweet your request for writing friends or critique partners to Twitter and tag it with: #NovelBootCamp
Sample Tweet: Looking for a critique partner. A YA writer would be great! Writing friends always welcome! I need a good shove during #NovelBootCamp!
Blog Comment Meetup
Post your request for writing friends or critique partners in the comments section below. Remember to provide some way for other writers to contact you (Twitter handle, email address, Facebook link, etc.).
Sample Blog Comment: I’m not ready for a critique partner just yet, but writing friends would be awesome! I like to read fantasy and suspense. My goal is to get an agent by next summer. I love knitting, dancing, and reading! Please contact me at [email address] or [Twitter handle].
ETA: Facebook Meetup!
If you prefer to connect on Facebook, there is now a Facebook Novel Boot Camp group!
Meetup Rules & Advice
In your request for a critique partner or writing friend, you may want to include:
- Whether you’re looking for a writing friend, critique partner, or both.
- Whether you need a gentle hand or some tough nudges to get you going!
- What genres you’re interested in reading/writing/critiquing.
- How long you’ve been writing.
- Some non-writing things about you, such as what you do for fun.
A Few Rules
- The meetup has no official end time. Feel free to post even after the excitement has died down.
- You do not have to participate in Novel Boot Camp to participate in this meetup.
- Do not be rude, attacking, or insulting in your posts. Keep it clean. I will delete you if I feel it will strengthen the experience for other writers.
- Do not post advertisements for your products (books, ebooks) or services (editing, proofreading, cover design, etc.). NO spam! This includes “veiled” spam, such as conveniently mentioning your products/services.
- Do not post looking for a critique partner if you do not intend to reciprocate with your own critique.
- Have fun!
Make Friends with Me!
I don’t have time for critique partners (way too much editing to get done!), but I love making writing friends! The best place to connect with me is on Twitter where I post writing tips, editing advice, and updates about my videos, blog posts, workshops, etc. I also answer writing and editing questions when I can.
When not editing (which is almost never), I love geocaching, watching movies, reading, and eating tacos.
Ellen Brock 
I’m looking for a critique parter. My novel is contemporary fiction, but I love reading women’s fiction, thrillers and romance. My goal is to have an agent by the end of the year. Please email me at browndanielle217@yahoo.com.
Hi there,
I am also looking for a critique partner. My current WIP is contemporary women’s fiction with a dash of romance. Is this something you would be interested in, if so I can send a short blurb to your email.
Cheers!
Yes, you can send it over and I will take a look at it. Are you interested in exchanging full manuscripts or partial?
Hi I am looking for a writing buddy and a critique partner.. I think sometimes we all need a little push to get us back on track. I am writing an erotic/romance novel. I love to read the same genre. I enjoy spending time with my family. I love to bake and chat with my friends. I am pretty easy going. My goal is to have my book completed by the end of the summer and ready to be edited. If you are interested please feel to email at jmaratta@verizon.net.
Hi I am a fantasy and New Adult Romance Writer. I love making writer friends, while I don’t really have time for any more critiquing I would love to meet other writers/ bloggers!
Contact me here
http://www.bookswithbree.com
@bookswithbree (twitter)
http://www.facebooks.com/booksbybree (facebook)
Jenean and Briana, I’d love more writing friends! I just hosted a Mini Writers’ Retreat on Facebook and was a pretty good cheerleader:)
Maybe we can follow each other on Twitter or meet up on Facebook?
@fansoffiction
or Jenna Klein (FB)
Hi, I’m trying this again–at least, trying to post in the correct spot! This does NOT bode well for my ability to handle an online course, does it? Yikes.
I’m seeking a first-pages crit partner (I’m always seeking writing friends!) I’m more or less ready to submit, so want to polish the bejeezus out of my first bit. I need someone willing to tear it apart with vicious glee. Anyone else in the same boat?
I write YA sci-fi, but I’m happy to trade with anyone happy to trade with me.
Hi Amy,
I’m writing YA sci-fi as well, and I’m willing to trade first pages for critique. Send yours to jgosmond@aol.com, as an attachment, and I’ll send you mine. (Unless there is a specific place here we are supposed to trade? Not sure.) let me know. Thanks.
So hi, its that one weirdo a few comments down. Im leilani, and i enjoy both fantasy and fiction. Im not quite finished with my works so i hope u dont mind… So yeah… nachos…. Anywho umm… yeah. I wouldnt mind helping… Do many dots, please excuse my extreme awkwardness. I’ll trade.
Hi Amy,
I write YA/Epic Fantasy, which I am finishing first draft by end of next month. I would love to swap a first pages critique with you. I did not see a place to contact you, but like “Anonymous,” if you are interested you can send an attached file with however many pages to michaelwisehart@hotmail.com and I’ll send you back an equivalent. -Thanks
Hi Amy! I’d love to share with you. My name;s Lillie. I do YA Sci-fi, fantasy and horror. The one i’m working on right now is a fantasy/sci fi sort of mix i guess. I adore sci fi and would love to read your story. You can contact me through lillie.sikes0913@gmail.com. I’m always looking for writing friends too and never have a place to look. And yes, I’m in the same boat with you as far as the “polishing the bejeezus” out of my first bit and “needing someone willing to tear it apart with viscous glee.” I’d love to hear back from you.
Sounds interesting. I have written and rewritten my first page 5x which leads to an uncertain and ever changing first chapter. I am now stealing most of the first page of book two for book one.
Hi everyone, I’m looking for a writing and critique partner. I’m writing NA/Romance and I’m nearly done with my first book. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of writing a book or done, I’d be happy to talk about writing with you and everything else.
I’d like to get an agent sometime but I’m not afraid of self-publishing if it doesn’t work. I love reading, writing, editing, listening to music, watching movies and meeting friends. I could use a good nudge every now and then to keep going.
You can email me at eileen.proksch@gmail.com or tweet me @EileenBookEdits
Eileen:)
I also write NA! I just added you on twitter. nice to meet you.
Hi Eileen. My name is Sharon. I just added you to my twitter account. I’m really numb when it comes to twitter so I know I’ll learn a lot from you. I look forward to learning more about you during the next month.
Hey, kids! Looking for a writing buddy/critique partner to work on SF/Fantasy. I’ve been working on editing my time travel/historical novel off and on for a couple years now – could use a partner that could use some help. Time to buckle down! No 4-letter words/erotica – but lots of action/drama. Contact me directly:
cehendrix@sbcglobal.net
Ack! Got too excited… In my spare time, I play and design board games, watch TV with my sweetheart and have way too much fun with my 10 grandkids [we got started early]. Yes, I’ve been a confirmed inside boy most of my life, but I’m busier than most of my friends, and have way much more fun without video games than human beings should be allowed to have.
Hi trazanacho. Sounds like you’re living life to the fullest. I Here’s my FB. Couldn’t open the link to your direct account. https://www.facebook.com/S.A.SmithsBookNook
Reblogged this on Romance Isn't Dead and commented:
Go on. You know you want to…
Hellur, my name is leilani and i dont kniw how do this so yeah. I like tacos…. And YouTube…. And Edgar Allen Poe… Which leads me procrastinate like a maniac. I’m looking for both writing partner and critique partner with upmost brutal honesty. I’m a nut for both fantasy and fiction. Please be aware that i am not at all an experienced writer so my works need a little bringing down of the ole hammer. I’m not a complete mess, but i can see room for improvement. So…. yup. Pickles…. gotta love those pickles…
I’d be more than happy to take a look at your story.
thanks my email is ameriya12@gmail.com
We can hook up on FB if you’d like to https://www.facebook.com/S.A.SmithsBookNook
Reblogged this on Voiced Compositions and commented:
This is going to be fun, and it happens during NaNaWrimo July Boot Camp! Give it a go!
I’m doing Camp Nanowrimo too. A little concerned about juggling all this together.
I totally forgot about Camp Nano! Oh dear. I’m also doing a poetry class in July.
I’m Lara. I’m working on finishing my historical fantasy and hoping to finish it by September, so I’m looking for people to do writing sprints with (1K1H) through the summer and 1-2 people to swap MSs with in the fall.
My critique wish list: adult literary, historical fiction, or comic mysteries. If it’s literary or funny, I’m flexible on genre, but no horror or erotica, please.
(And I’ve had my fill of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and dystopian fiction for a while, so I might be a bit cranky reading those.)
Connect with me on Twitter @larathelark
Hi there,
I am also looking for a critique partner. My current WIP is contemporary women’s fiction with just a dash of romance. Is this something you would be interested in, if so I can send a short blurb to your email.
Cheers!
Hi Anon,
I bet you’ll be able to find someone here who enjoys contemporary women’s fiction more than I do. Unless it’s funny on par with Bridget Jones, I’d rather have something more adventurous, comical, or clutch-it-to-my-chest literary. At least for the 1 or 2 crit swaps I’m seeking this year.
Hi Lara,
I’m finishing the last couple chapters of my new fantasy novel, it will be a series. I have a 135K -140K word count, but obviously not expecting anyone to actually swap full ms. I would however love to at least share opening pages or maybe some chapter swaps.
If you have an interest, I would love to send you at least the prologue and let you determine if it is a fit with what you are looking for at present. You can reach me at michaelwisehart@hotmail.com to request a submission. -Thanks and good luck!
Hi Lara, Pam here. I, too, am looking for a critique buddy for my historic fiction. It’s a time-travel adventure, but less about the time travel and more about the history.
I am about 75% finished, but now that I can see the finish line, I am torn between a quick finish and then going back for a full edit/rewrite or just starting with a rewrite and leaving the last few chapters for a bit of a break from editing.
I’m also on Twitter @TruckingWriter (long story, and not a great one). September is a realistic timeline for me to finish my work in progress, so I’d be happy to help keep you on your timeline, too. I’d be happy to send you a scene or a chapter to see if you’d like to see if you can even tolerate what I’ve written so far before committing to a month of boot camp.
Separately, I have two blogs I have been writing, but I have taken a hiatus form both while I focus on my novel. So what exactly is “urban fantasy?”
P
Hi Pam! Saw you on Twitter. Let’s definitely be buddies! Depending on how many crit partners I get, I’ll see about a full or partial swap, but I can at least do a swap of the first chapter.
P.S. Urban Fantasy is generally a fantasy set in contemporary times, in a city. They can be pretty dark. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is—in my humble opinion—the gold standard.
Hi Pam. Sad to say I’m a latecomer to this blog, to becoming more adept with technology, and to several other things as well – the most important perhaps being my attempt at writing that great American you-know-what. A couple of your blog posts intrigued me to respond here, though I’m not sure as to what I’m letting myself in for as regards novel bootcamp.
In any case, I am currently 10,000 words into a work of historic fiction dealing with an unlikely romance/ adventure set during the Second World War. If you’re interested in giving me some feedback on several scenes/chapters I would certainly reciprocate. I have avoided Twitter and Facebook, so far, but I may be willing to surrender on Twitter. (Though I’m not certain how communicating 140 characters at a time might work for this purpose)
If you – or someone else reading this – would like to hook up please let me know and I’ll send you my email. I will now go back to your blog for more inspiration. Take care and good luck!
Hi Lara. My name is Sharon. I just added you to my twitter account. I look forward to learning more about you during the following month.
When I find your page, it says “closed group”. There’s no request to join group that I can see. I want to use my FB Author Page to join the group. That’s why I think you need to provide the link on my page. Just guessing…
S. A. Smith http://www.onrvingtime.wordpress.com
I believe that you can’t join a group with a Facebook page. Sorry.
Hey Everyone, I’m looking for a Fantasy (Epic/YA or other-wise) critique partner/s interested in swapping on a chapter by chapter basis, as opposed to a full ms. For those who might prefer to keep it even shorter by swapping first “X” number of pages, I’m game for that as well. Just let me know.
I am hoping to have the first draft of the first book of this series completed by the end of next month. With this being my first novel, I am in serious need of some brutally honest feedback…you can only go so far with family and friends 🙂
My reading consists solely of fantasy…definitely my passion. I am also an aspiring film and television producer. Always look forward to making new friends within the wonderful world of writing. If interested, you can contact me at michaelwisehart@hotmail.com.
I’m working on a middle grade urban fantasy, and I, too, am very close to finishing. I have two chapters left and should be done by August.
I have run all of my existing chapters (12) through the Critique Circle website and have gotten some invaluable advice, so I’m pretty happy with the novel at this stage. However once I’ve finished it I plan to go back over it to filter for weasel words and check consistency, and then I’ll be sending out the revised complete manuscript for beta.
I’d be happy to trade whatever sized chunks of manuscript you’re comfortable with. Contact me at john_r_berkowitz@yahoo.com.
Hey John,
I contacted you via email, but not sure if it went thru. If you are still interested in swapping for critique, then I would enjoy helping and hopefully receive some great feedback in the process. Would love to send you my opening prologue. If interested, you can contact me at michaelwisehart@hotmail.com. -Thanks
Chapter by chapter critique sounds perfect, as does fantasy. It’s one of my passion genre’s as well.
Hey Lillie, I didn’t see any contact info for you, so If you are interested in swapping, please contact me at michaelwisehart@hotmail.com. -thanks
You can also find me at http://www.michaelfloydwisehart.wordpress.com