Wrote your book and now you’re wondering… what’s next?
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days
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the next Critique Partner Speed Match-Up!
Come on down to the critique partner speed match-up!
Join us in this speed-dating style event designed to help put you and your work in front of as many potential critique partners (beta readers, alpha readers, etc.) as possible within a three-hour time frame! Everyone attending this event should be looking for a give and take relationship with a fellow writer and be willing to follow through if you find a good connection. Finding a good critique partner is a bit like dating, and we hope this event will help you find at least one match that is productive for the both of you.
The Important Stuff
- You do not need to be a member of KanMoWriCo to participate.
- This event is free and open to the public.
- You do not have to (and should not) match with everyone you talk to. Not everyone is going to be a good fit in terms of style, expectations, or availability. That’s okay! The focus of this event is to help you find a symbiotic match, not one that adds additional strain to your writing process.
- Any information shared is between you and your potential matches. Should you provide any personal information with KanMoWriCo, we will only use that information with discretion (i.e. if you forgot to exchange contact info with a match).
- There are no wrong answers, only wrong fits, so please be honest with yourself and potential matches as you move through this experience.
- This is not an actual speed dating event. We just like the format.
Things to bring:
- Cards with your contact information
- Any specific questions that you might have for potential critique partners
- A brief synopsis of your story (or stories) that you’re looking to exchange
- An idea of how quickly you would need to have critiques back
- An approximation of your current word or page count (finished or not)
Things we’ll provide:
- Question prompts to get the ball rolling and help cover your bases
- Pens and pencils
- A worksheet to keep track of answers and pertinent information (but you can bring your own supplies if you prefer!)
- A fun and positive vibe
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if I don’t make any matches?
- Hopefully you met some really cool people that could be matches down the road! They might not be the right fit right now, but don’t discount someone that you vibed with and only kinda missed the mark on what you’re both looking for.
- What happens after the event is over?
- Send each other emails! Or communicate over whatever method you agreed on. Either way, get to exchanging work and helping each other progress towards a polished piece.
- What happens if I don’t get back to someone if we start to communicate/what happens if I’m ghosted?
- Hopefully you will have discussed things like turn around expectations and the like during this event. If not, maybe now is the time to let them know and see if this is still a good fit for the both of you. But, in general, communication is likely your best friend in all this, so just reach out–judgement free and with kindness–and figure out your path moving forward.
- If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. KanMoWriCo assumes no responsibility for the match.
- What are some of the questions you’ll be providing?
- What sort of feedback do you prefer? Big picture or style? Plot, character, or grammar?
- What is your availability? How much time can you realistically dedicate to critiquing?
- How quickly would you need feedback returned?
- Do you prefer to exchange feedback via email or in person?
- What is your critiquing style? Ruthless or gentle? Frank honesty or soft? Encouraging with low criticism? An even blend of encouragement and criticism? A combination of any?
- Are you open to having a trial critique to see if we’re a good fit?
- What stage is your manuscript in?
- Is there anything specific you’re looking for feedback on? Such as specific scenes or plot points?
- What is your experience level/experience in giving critique or working with critique partners?
- Would you rather critique in portions/ excerpts or the manuscript as a whole?
- What is the size of your manuscript?
- What sort of stories do you enjoy reading? What genres interest you? Who is your favorite author or what is your favorite book at this moment?
- Who is your ideal audience?
- What are your expectations and vision for a critique partner relationship?
- How many critique partners are you balancing? How many can you realistically handle?