Catholic Writers Guild offers members who two critique groups. For more information contact the group administrators by sending a message to:

  • Fiction ( FictionGroup@catholicwritersguild.com)
  • Non-Fiction ( NonFictionGroup@catholicwritersguild.com)

General Fiction Guidelines:

  • Getting started: The best introduction to the group is to submit a chapter or short story (around 2,000-4,500 words) for critique.
  • Reciprocity: You are obliged to give a reciprocal critique of an equivalent chapter or short story for every critique that you receive.
  • Responses: Currently around 3-5 critiques for each submission can be expected.
  • Format: Critiques are sent as comments within the body of an email and by suggestions in the margin of the manuscript using Word’s insert comment feature.
  • Frequency: Some members send a chapter or two each week. Others rarely participate.
  • Diplomacy: While generally the critiques are gentle some may appear more critical. Please remember that critiques are written in good faith and members are spending valuable time to help you improve your writing.
  • Typical comments: These may range from simple line edits (misplaced commas, missing words, etc.) to content editing (story lines, missing descriptions, etc.).

 

Catholic Writers Guild Nonfiction Critique/Editing Group Guidelines

1)       The CWG Nonfiction Critique/Editing Group is a friendly network for members of the Catholic Writers Guild who write nonfiction and are committed to improving their writing. We support and want to encourage each other as writers by offering constructive and honest critiques and editing suggestions.

2)       The group will abide by all the Bylaws of the Catholic Writers Guild.

3)       The writing of each group member that is critiqued will be respected as the original work of that writer, with all the rights of a copyright. Submissions will be downloaded and copied only as needed to carry out the critique, and the work is kept confidential within the group and not shared outside the group.

4)       Nonfiction to be critiqued can be in almost any nonfiction genre, such as: informational books and articles, spirituality, self-help guides, biography, autobiography, book chapters, or magazine articles, or blog posts.

5)       Submissions do not need to be Catholic or religious in content, but must abide by the CWG’s bylaws. Submit nothing against Catholic doctrine or morals, including unnecessarily graphic sex, violence, or language.

6)       Manuscripts submitted are to be between 100-5000 words long (usually less than 3,000). To post any piece longer than 5000 words requires a special alert to the members. If the piece is part of a larger work, give some background explanation of the scope of the work. Writers can ask for the specific kind of feedback that would be helpful.

7)       The number of members and timing of submissions and critique deadlines will be determined by the founding group members and evaluated when the needs of the group change.

8)       Manuscripts will be distributed by email. Use group emails with Reply All, except when returning critique. Use mark-up software such as Microsoft Word with balloon comments inserted into the manuscripts exactly where they are needed when critiquing. Editing suggestions are encouraged. Copyediting is optional since styles vary with publishers. Put general comments at the top of the manuscripts or in the return email.

9)       Group members commit to critiquing at least two manuscripts each month and to submitting at least one manuscripts quarterly.

10)     We commit to pray for one another, respect one another with confidentiality, and to support one another in marketing our websites, blogs and published work through networking and social media.

 

Critique Guidelines – giving and receiving critiques from “Don’t Forget to Write!” http://www.6ftferrets.com/
The Guild blog seeks and welcomes submissions from members. (submissions@catholicwritersguild.com)

A retired biologist with current interests in vegetable gardening, volunteering at a local nursing home, reading, and writing. Other activities include the study of the practical aspects of applied Gerontology, splitting logs, digging for quahogs and writing blogs. https://dmulcare.wordpress.com/