We did it, we survived 2020! So, let’s try to start 2021 with some positivity, new connections, and writing!
The best way to be a good writer is to…well it’s to write. Second best way (that we know of) is to make new connections/writer friends!
We all met up through various Critique Partner (CP) match-up posts like the one hosted by the amazing Susan Dennard. So we love blog-hosted critique partner match ups. Our CP Match up in 2018 and our CP Match Up in 2020 had a lot of people in the comment with their amazing projects! And we hope to continue paying it forward by providing a fresh forum in 2021 for people to seek out CPs. (See ALL of our CP Match Ups HERE!)
Just in case you’re asking, “What is a Critique Partner (CP)?”
A CP is another writer who you share your writing with so you can both give useful critique to make each other’s writing/stories better! You often do this at every point in the writing journey! Lots of already published and huge authors still have CPs!
Okay, onto the match up!
STEP ONE: Write a comment on this post.
In your comment post please include:
NAME
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB)
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc)
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters)
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines. Examples: Tough Love, Motivation partner, Fantasy World Building, Character Development)
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc)
STEP TWO: If someone’s manuscript sounds like something you’d like to read, send them a quick message about swapping pages.
After you agree to swap pages, we have a few suggestions.
In general, we suggest not swapping your full manuscript right away. We usually swapped either first 3 chapters or first 50 pages (whichever you agree is better). We call this the “trial period” where you see if you actually do connect to each other’s writing AND if you like each other’s critique style. If you want to be on top of it, we suggest telling the other person what kind of notes you like to receive too. But if this is one of your first times critiquing, that’s fine too! This is all about finding someone to learn and grow with!
NOTE: Feel free to reply to each other in the comments as a way to initiate contact, but please do NOT post critiques in the comments section. Please exchange critiques via whatever outside method you’ve agreed upon with each other.
STEP THREE: Send critique notes and decide what kind of critique relationship you’d like to have!
There are many ways to critique. You could do a full manuscript swap and then check in with each other in a month. You can do it chunks at a time and check in every week. It’s really up to you and your new critique partner, so after you get that initial 3 Chapters/50 pages or so back and you agree to continue being CPs, make a plan for what fits you both best!
If, for some reason you don’t like the other person’s notes or you just don’t think things will work out (for whatever reason), then you should be open about it and part ways with no hard feelings. Sometimes, people’s creative visions just don’t sync up.
As a bonus, here are a few resources about being a critique partner:
Meg’s post on Giving Constructive Feedback
Kat’s video on 5 tips for being a good CP
And our first ever post that’s just full of CP Love and advice
Feel free to still peruse the projects on our other CP Match ups HERE!
Good luck and happy matching!!
Writer's Block Party 
NAME: Logan Musselman
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB): Adult
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc): Fantasy and Horror
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters): Jacquelle and her partner discover a child with golden blood after a savage attack from gray giants. Cedric, a general, believes giving the child to the giants could send them away. Jacquelle must protect the children from the threat of the bloodthirsty giants, and keep Cedric at bay, until she can stop it all herself.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines. Examples: Tough Love, Motivation partner, Fantasy World Building, Character Development): Tough Love for sure! Keen eye for character development.
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc): Twitter @loganmusselman
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Hi everyone! I’m Brianna, and I write adult space fantasy (including romance, because of course). I’m looking to query in the next couple of weeks with my ~117k word novel, WANING CRESCENT.
The god of death stole the stars. Or so the stories go. And Blaire wants them back.
The stories never mention that Divan broke the universe. That Blaire will risk everything to find Divan – even if it means slipping through a crack in the skin of the world.
Comps: WICKED SAINTS x DRAGON AGE INQUISITION x THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES
I’m looking for long-term CPs to support and build friendships with! Plot and pacing are my weaknesses, so writers with experience in those areas would be great!
If you’re interested in swapping work to see if we’re a good fit, you can email me at briannahopealbers@gmail.com or DM me on Twitter @briehalbers. Thanks!
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Deana
Adult Urban fantasy
NINTH HOUSE X PERCY
Cassie discovers she’s the heir of Pandora, with the power to crown the ruler of the immortals. Vicious Ares covets the crown and is on the hunt — and he loves to play with his prey.
Looking for a CP who is kind, constructive and supportive – I’m not a tough love kinda writer – and is interested in lots of brainstorming and problem-solving. I hope to find someone who sees my style and works with it, not editing it into their style or the book they would write if they were me.
twitter: CraftyCorgi
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AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB): MG, YA
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc): Fantasy, Magical Realism
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters): All 12 y/o Alex wants is to skip Chinese school. But when he discovers a magical ancient scroll passed thru his family over generations, he may need all the Chinese lessons he can get to solve the riddles inside and save the world from the Jade Emperor’s demon army
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines: motivation partner 🙂 idea soundboard! good vibes~
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc): gyangauthor@gmail.com
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Hi, everyone, my name is Linda and while I’m not new to writing, I’m absolutely new to the aspiring-author side of it. Because of the way my brain is wired, I usually work on multiple things at once. Fun times, LOL
I only write in the ADULT bracket.
Current two WIPs are CONTEMPORARY EROTICA (or should I say AU where Covid doesn’t exist?) short story and HISTORICAL ROMANCE (romance is the aim, but the MC is a fallen woman – try as I might, I may not succeed to get it there).
Pitch (I’m not very good at this, can you tell yet?)
WIP #1: He came to Prague to close a business deal. Spending a night in her company was an unexpected turn of events.
WIP #2: Years ago, he ruined her. A decade, an inheritance, and a lifetime of hellfire later, their paths cross again.
I’m looking to connect and build long term friendsips with fellow writers to kick each other’s asses to finish our goddamn drafts & help spit-polish each other’s works, then celebrate the SMASHING hits they become. 🙂 Encouragement is appreciated, tough love is welcomed. English is my second language, so I always feel that grammar is my weakest point. I’m told my writing is evocative & dialogue is my strong suit, however, personally, I’d say I’m killer at developmental edits: spotting plot holes, illogical things, inconsistent character actions/characterizations, insufficient research etc. I’m an overwriter, so if you need to fluff up your wordcount, that would be my jam, but it’s also teaching me how to lean on the DELETE key with all my weight & hold still, then write it all over again, in fewer words.
My email is linda.naush@gmail.com or you can ping me on Twitter & Instagram @lindanaush or Facebook @lindanaushwriter
Thanks for reading my wall of text. Can’t wait to hear from you! And KEEP TYPING! 🙂
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Hey, I’d love to exchange manuscripts. I write YA but I have experience with a variety of projects. Do contact me at apsararodrigo@gmail.com if you are interested.
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Hi, everyone, my name is Linda and while I’m not new to writing, I’m absolutely new to the aspiring-author side of it. Because of the way my brain is wired, I usually work on multiple things at once. Fun times, LOL
I only write in the ADULT bracket.
Current two WIPs are CONTEMPORARY EROTICA (or should I say AU where Covid doesn’t exist?) short story and HISTORICAL ROMANCE (romance is the aim, but the MC is a fallen woman – try as I might, I may not succeed to get it there).
Pitch (I’m not very good at this, can you tell yet?)
WIP #1: He came to Prague to close a business deal. Spending a night in her company was an unexpected turn of events.
WIP #2: Years ago, he ruined her. A decade, an inheritance, and a lifetime of hellfire later, their paths cross again.
I’m looking to connect and build long term friendsips with fellow writers to kick each other’s asses to finish our goddamn drafts & help spit-polish each other’s works, then celebrate the SMASHING hits they become. 🙂 Encouragement is appreciated, tough love is welcomed, impeccable grammar skills worshiped.
What I have to offer as a CP: I’m told my writing is evocative & dialogue is my strong suit, however, personally, I’d say I’m killer at developmental edits: spotting plot holes, illogical things, inconsistent character actions/characterizations, insufficient research etc. I’m an overwriter, so if you need to fluff up your wordcount, that would be my jam, but it’s also teaching me how to lean on the DELETE key with all my weight & hold still, then write it all over again, in fewer words.
My email is linda.naush@gmail.com or you can ping me on Twitter & Instagram @lindanaush or Facebook @lindanaushwriter
Thanks for reading my wall of text. Can’t wait to hear from you! And KEEP TYPING! 🙂
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Nic Hendrickson
Adult Fantasy, ~120k words
Current Novel: SALT
Comps: The Sopranos X Dune
SALT follows a family in control of the world’s salt trade as the family’s secrets eat away at their iron-clad grip, and their salt empire crumbles around them. Amongst the seven family members is a doting mother toting drugs in pies; A dastardly daughter who longs for power almost more than she longs for dynamite, and a man just mad enough that if the world intends to take him down, he might just take the world down with him.
For a CP I would love to trade books and touch base once we both finish. I generally makes my notes per chapter so they’re easy to follow, plus a few overall notes. (But I can focus in on whatever you really need most!)
Contact info: Nicole.hendricksonq@yahoo.com
Twitter is @colejamesq
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Updating Twitter handle to @bynicjames
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Hello, I’m Arielle!
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN: Adult and YA
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN: SFF, Contemporary, Horror
CURRENT PROJECT: I’m participating in Susan Dennard’s Story A Month challenge, if other folks are doing the same! We’re uhh 4 days in so it’s hard to know what it will look like month to month, but here’s January: Shem doesn’t know why his grandfather left him the umbrella, but he’s keenly aware that it’s missing. On a boat full of criminals, everyone is a suspect, but he only has an hour before the storm hits and drowns them all.
OTHER PROJECTS:
– A metalworker and her ex-team are offered a chance at revenge after being robbed of their reputation and their leader. The beast responsible for both losses is alive, but may prove not to be the creature they originally blamed. (AF)
– wanted: (1) fake girlfriend for my sisters wedding. paid, airfare and hotel included. four night obligation. you will not have a good time. (AC)
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP: Community, mutual motivation, and unsticking! My background is in the RP world which relies heavily on its community aspect, and I’m eager to find the same here!
CONTACT INFO: arielle.mayper@gmail.com or on discord at modulateback#9514
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NAME: Nina
AGE CATEGORY: YA/A
GENRE: Contemporary Fantasy, Sci-Fi
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH: (YA, Contemp. Fantasy) BLOOD AND SNOW takes place at a monster hunter boarding school in a reimagined world where monsters, and the people who protect us from them, are no secret. Melena is still reeling from the death of her parents and looking forward to leaving the past behind when her parents’ murderer, the Shadow of Death, appears at her school and begins killing students. Melena sets off to unmask the Shadow before she becomes his next victim. Along the way, she discovers dark secrets in her parents’ past and begins to question who the real monster is–the Shadow or her parents.
COMP TITLES: A DEADLY EDUCATION x CRAVE x VAMPIRE ACADEMY/BLOODLINES
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP: I’m looking for a long-term CP who can give tough love and can tell me what is working and what isn’t in a story. Also, someone to bounce ideas off of when I get stuck.
From me as a CP you can expect compliment sandwiches, tough love if you need it, and a cheerleader for your story!
CONTACT INFO: nzwebb11@gmail.com
Twitter: @inkwebb
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Wow, Blood and Snow definitely is something I would read! I love the mystery it evokes. The only problem is I don’t have a current project as of yet.
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Wow, Blood and Snow sounds like a fantastic read! I love the mystery it evokes. I would love to be a CP, but the only problem is that I don’t currently have a project.
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NAME: Kestrel
AGE CATEGORY: Adult
GENRES: Fantasy, SciFi, and SpecFic
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH: (Adult Low Fantasy) THE LOST PROVIDER is about a closeted, neurodivergent scholar who sets out to chronicle an uprising in an annexed territory because he thinks it might be connected to the insurgency his father was helping when he disappeared twelve years ago. It’s a winding road across a land trampled between two empires to get to the bottom of all that, and he falls hard for the maybe-too-helpful genderfluid character along the way.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP: Mostly a writing friend who is also trying to get a career started. I have a lot of CP experience, but most of my previous CPs just…stopped writing? I’m still working on a fifth draft, but the first chapter is all set for trial exchanges!
CONTACT INFO: theslyeagle@gmail.com
Twitter: @theslyeagle
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Hello! I think I may have to email you, your project looks fascinating!
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Megan
AGE CATEGORIES: YA/A
GENRES: fantasy
PITCH: To bring her sister back from the dead, Fen attempts to blackmail her estranged mother for a ship – but when she’s accused of a murder she didn’t commit, she’ll need the help of her devilish rival, a stunning girl with a deadly secret
WHAT IM LOOKING FOR: up to date on ya fantasy trends and motivational!
CONTACT: Twitter dm @mk__painter
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NAME: Amber
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN:
YA
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN:
Fantasy
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH:
A renegade, a scoundrel, an authoritarian, and a dreamer fight for their freedoms after a notorious cult leader threatens to usurp their magic’s source—the Soulstone of Madallion.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP:
Tough Love, Character Development, Spot plot flaws I may have missed from re-reading my MS 100x 🙂
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc):
goldie.love200@gmail.com
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Hi everyone!
My name is Fernanda. I write YA and I’m trying to get my MS ready for querying. It’s Contemporary Fantasy.
“17yo Olivia finds out her grandpa was a wizard in search of a mythological place called the Forgotten Fortress. With the help of a magical shopkeeper (who she is kinda cute), she now needs to find it before an evil witch gets there first, while trying to discover more about her own family”
I’m looking for a CP who’d give honest feedback on the story and it’d be great to find someone willing to help as well with pitch/query letter/comps, as I’m finding out I’m awful at these.
My e-mail is fcbreder@gmail.com and my twitter is @Fer_Breder 🙂
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Am I too late to the party?
NAME: Kaz Drozd
CATEGORY: Adult
GENRE: Low-ish Fantasy?
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH: Set in a region roughly analogous to 19th century Poland, Irena finds herself fleeing for her life into the mountains waking up in a town where the Old Gods still have sway and a magical hot spring cures the town’s ailments. At first it seems like she might settle in quietly there, but then people start dying and the finger of blame is pointed at her friend and mentor, the town’s midwife. Before a full blown witch hunt ensues, Irena must make a choice, and it might just get her killed.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP: A beta reader to help me polish off the rough edges and make the manuscript shine. It’s been through a round of rewrites and edits, but it hasn’t had many outside eyes on it.
CONTACT INFO: DM Me: @drozdKaz and we can sort out how to do the thing
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NAME: Katie Dickerson
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB): YA
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc): Contemporary fiction/LGBTQ+
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters): Bisexual and neurodivergent Callie finds herself caught between her boyfriend and her best friend in this queer, quirky, Lysistrata-inspired story.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines. Examples: Tough Love, Motivation partner, Fantasy World Building, Character Development): feedback on pacing, character development, and places where the ms lags or is boring
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc): email me at Dickerson.kathleen@gmail.com
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NAME: Katie Dickerson
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB): YA
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc): Contemporary/LGBTQ+
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters): Bisexual and neurodivergent Callie finds herself caught between her boyfriend and her best friend in this queer, quirky, Lysistrata-inspired story.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines. Examples: Tough Love, Motivation partner, Fantasy World Building, Character Development): feedback on pacing, character development, and parts where the book lags
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc): email me at Dickerson.Kathleen@gmail.com
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NAME: Sid
AGE CATEGORY(IES) YOU WRITE IN (YA/MG/A/PB): Adult
GENRE(S) YOU WRITE IN (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, etc): Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Satire, Speculative Fiction, Experimental Fiction, Ergodic Literature, Bizzaro Fiction, Slipstream
CURRENT PROJECT PITCH (Twitter size ~280 characters) Jane Tsitak is the bisexual androgynous member of the Artiste aristocracy that rules The Empire Of Eden. Because of this, she has been granted privileges to live a decadent life in secret without having to deal with the repercussions of their illegal actions. However, as Jane starts getting flashbacks of the notorious ‘Fallen One’ and the revolution they led, Jane starts to question the comfort of her life. With help of the notorious outcast of the Humbert family, Maria, Jane is exposed to the lively culture of a local cyber district and the illusive Scientiae Rebellion. As Jane and Maria start to piece together the Fallen Tsitak’s tragic past, and just how Jane is able to see their past, Jane is faced with choosing between the safe life with her manipulative childhood love, and the fresh freedom Maria’s given them a taste of.
Disclaimer: this book contains graphic scenes of sex, abuse, drugs, alcohol, and violence and this novel is not formatted traditionally because the format is a part of the story telling
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CP (keep it short, about 1-2 lines. Examples: Tough Love, Motivation partner, Fantasy World Building, Character Development) Continuity errors, sensitivity reading, fat trimming, over repetition, what works and doesn’t work, formatting feedback
CONTACT INFO (email/contact page/etc)
ifyouseekay468@gmail.com
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