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 
Hi!
My sister posted on here and said I should give it a go. I’m looking for writing partners/critique partners who can help with characterization, keeping me in the proper tense, and stopping my really long sentences.
Right now I’ve only got one novel/idea thing in progress. It’s a teenagery urban fantasy with some gender flipped wizards and witches in it. Not a lot of romance cause it’s from the view of a 14 year-old girl.
I’ve only got the first two or three chapters of it done, but am willing to email them to anyone who asks. I’m willing to critique anyone else’s YA as well but am usually pretty clueless about mistakes unless they are pretty obvious. However, I am really good with stereotype spotting, so if you need help with that, feel free to email me.
If you sign up as my writing buddy, be prepared to get emailed lots of really random questions about coffee, dogs, and public transport.
My email is whyalemon37@gmail.com.
Hi. I’m looking for a writing partner to connect with. I’m about halfway done with my second draft . The novel is Mystery/Erotic Fiction and I could definitely use a pair of fresh eyes.
Hello. I’m in the process of writing my first novel, a NA fantasy/romance. I’ve finished about 1/3 of the 1st draft. I’d love to have a writer friend who’s going through the same experience so we can offer each other encouragement and a push when needed. Not sure if I can commit to trading critiques at this time. Maybe small amounts at a time would work. I like to read YA or adult fantasy, dystopian, and romance. I would not be the best fit for someone who writes nonfiction or political fiction. In my limited spare time, I like reading, being outdoors, The Walkiing Dead, Game of Thrones, and tequila – not neccessarily in that order. I no longer have a Twitter account but can be reached at juliegriffith42@yahoo.com.
Hi Julie, I’m pretty much in the same boat as you are in. I’m onto the second draft of my Ya romance novelette. I’m looking for writer friends, too.
Email: contact@cassandracharles.com
Twitter: @Cassandra198924
I opened a new Twitter account. It’s @NightOwlette1 so I can be reached there as well. I followed you, Cassanda. I love YA and read a lot of it. My 1st 2 attempts (abandoned) at writing a novel were YA. I’m going with NA with my WIP this time because the content and language may be a little racy for YA.
Hi Julie, I’m also looking for a writer friend and followed you on twitter. I’m currently writing the second draft of my NA contemporary thriller and would love to offer encouragement and a gentle nudge when needed! My twitter is @alessahinlo & my email is alessa.hinlo@gmail.com.
Hi! I’m Penumbra. I don’t have any writing in the works right now, but I’m going to hang out and learn some tips of the trade. I can offer brainstorming sessions, betaing and general cheerleading. The stories I have written are generally MM romance. I like MM, Erotica, Fantasy, Shifters, Paranormal, Sci-Fi if it isn’t too technical. I stay away from Horror of any kind, and I don’t like YA love triangles. I usually stay away from Dystopian/Apocalyptic or M/F, unless they are exceptional stories, and it’s Urban Fantasy where the female is a BAMF.
I like to write, but probably enjoy betaing and critiquing more.
I can be contacted at: penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I have Twitter but am rarely on it.
I forgot to add some things. I beta HFN or HEA, no bittersweet or sad endings. No organized crime stories, and the violence has to have a reason for it. If it’s BDSM, then it has to be consensual, not violence hidden as BDSM.
My non writing hobbies are, working out at the gym, gardening, hanging out on the web, reading. I like graphics but haven’t played with that in a while. I drink a lot of tea, lol and I love dark chocolate 🙂
Penumbra, we need to be buddies! One of my favorite words/abilities in my supernatural book I am writing is referred to as Penumbra, a shadow used by angels to cloud the minds of humans and alter their memories!
CandorMN – Cool! 🙂 I love the name/word. There is a story about a bookstore run by a man named Mr. Penumbra. I have it, but have yet to read it.
Hi fellow writers! My CP told me about this workshop and it looks like fun. I am in my first round of edits on my 80k YA urban fantasy–and feeling a little frustrated! Writing is so much more fun than editing and revising. Unfortunately it’s the only way to make it great so… I will painfully continue on.
I would love some writing friends and CP’s. I am trying to work on my critiquing skills because I am uber worried about hurting anyone’s feelings and need to become a better critique partner.
I am terrible at grammar and tenses–you’ve been warned:)
When I’m not at work doing hair or chasing my two little darlings around I’m writing or reading YA!
Say hi on twitter @ccfordwords or on my blog ccfordwords.com
Hey! Would you mind being a writing buddy? I am in the process of writing a YA novel. Sci-fi/dystopian. Only fifty pages in but could use another person to bounce things around with. Thanks. If interested please contact at
Twitter: @themjramirez
Email: mjramirez21.jr@gmail.com
Hi everyone my name is Sha Masters, aka Francey which is a fun little nickname I’ve had for a while now. The book I am writing is actually the start of a series I have been developing, and this is my first attempt at writing a novel ever. For the past 12 to 13 years of my life I have lived and breathed the music industry, working in Nashville, LA, and New York City with many artists known and unknown writing music for them, touring with them, etc. I used to write short stories as a child and novel writing was actually my first love. However when my parents heard me singing at 5 years old and found out the song I was singing was one I had written, they were ecstatic and so music still being one of my loves knocked novel writing down for the count so to speak. Now here I am at 30 years old and I’ve fully stepped back from the music industry to pursue my first dream. I am a newbie, even watching some of Ellen’s videos have made me feel stupid and slightly insecure, cause I am kind of like a fish out of water. I believe in my story idea so strongly, but my writing def needs work. If anyone is interested in taking me under their wing and being an encouraging and honest mentor, I would love it so much! my contact info is #6812859445 email: weareshawesome@gmail.com facebook: Francey Pants 🙂
Well, I for one am curious about these angels that can cloud and alter the minds of humans. I think we need to chat about your story 🙂
absolutely!!! 🙂 add me on fb https://www.facebook.com/FranceyThat?ref=tn_tnmn twitter/franceyfrans e-mail weareshawesome@gmail.com and feel free to call me! 6812859445!!! You’d love them, well maybe, see I am super confident in my story/plot…it’s the tenses, point of views, rules, cliches, and other such shtuff lol that I am concerned about fersure lol
Hi Sha Masters. The gift of music is so special. I’ll find you on fb. my fb ishttps://www.facebook.com/S.A.SmithsBookNook. I look forward to sharing ideas during the upcoming month.
Hello all!
I am looking for both writing friends and critique partners. I’m doing final revisions for my urban mythology novel entitled, “Not Set in Stone.” It’s basically Sex and the City starring Medusa. I love to read fantasy and historical fiction. You can also find me on twitter: @thefebemoss
Hello again. I’m wondering if there might be a way for any or all of you who are working on Middle Grade novels might want to form a sub-group. MG (in my case upper MG or tween) is a pretty specific niche, and as a 50-year-old father writing about a 12-year-old girl, I’m always worried about getting the voice just right. If such a group sounds beneficial to you, please contact me at john_r_berkowitz@yahoo.com and put “MG Bootcamp” in the subject so I’ll be sure to look at it right away.
Hi everyone.
If there is anyone interested in reading Contemporary fiction, please email me at browndanielle217@yahoo.com.
Although my novel has romantic bits and is HFN, it also has pretty dark parts to the story, which I believe adds substance. It’s complete at 70,000 words, but if you’re interested I’d be happy to send you maybe the first two chapters so you can see if it’s something you want to read/critique. I’ve been editing/rewriting for about two months now; I’m just really struggling with the first two chapters. I recently rewrote them; I still feel that they are a bit weak compared to my other chapters.
Just a heads up: my novel has a fair amount of violence, sexual content and profanity, which I understand is not for everyone.
Please let me know if you might be interested! I could really use an outside opinion at this point.
Of course, if there is anything you would like me to look over, if be happy to help you out.
I enjoy reading literary fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, thriller/suspense and possibly historical fiction.
Hey Danielle! I love reading contemporary! I might not have time to critique the whole manuscript but I think I can help you out with the first two chapters. If you’re interested, send them to fansoffiction@hotmail.com. I have written YA contemporary but am currently doing a full edit on the first draft of a YA fantasy.
I’d be willing to take a look. I’m somewhat new to writing/critiquing so I’m not sure how valuable my feedback would be. I’ve finished the first draft of what can best be described as fast-paced chick lit with a healthy dose of romance. Feel free to email me at mamaduckof3@gmail.com.
Hi, Hope I’m not too late! I’ve finished the first draft of my YA fantasy/apocalypse novel and now looking for a critique partner. The protagonist is young woman. There is violence and some profanity. My email address is: artmomdean at gmail.com.
Hey Andrea, that sounds interesting. My WIP is a post-apocalyptic tale with a spiritual slant. I’ll email you.