Critique Groups
MWA-sponsored critique groups are open to members and non-members alike. The designated contact person must be an MWA member, and group participants are asked to agree to join MWA's extended contact list to receive news about upcoming events of interest. (MWA keeps all contact information strictly confidential and will not spam you.)
Small groups meet regularly to review each others' work and offer constructive feedback. These groups are usually small (six to eight people) and are organized by specialty (such as Genresl fiction, children's literature, or script writing). The times and places of meetings vary and are determined by the members of each critique group
Many published writers say that critique groups contributed to their success. Critique groups can help you improve your writing, detect weaknesses in plot, structure, or prose, and whip pieces into shape so they catch an editor's interest.
The following is a list of the groups, along with the leaders' e-mail addresses. Since each individual group will meet separately, contact its leader for more information.
Statewide
MD Writer's Block
Fiction: Flash, Speculative, SciFi, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Magical Realism, Literary, Romance
Format: Novels, Novellas, Short StoriesThis is a "virtual" online group to discuss character development, plot, scene development, universe building, background research, and other elements to help members build a great story! Visit http://mdwritersblock.proboards.com to register. Forum will be password protected.
For more information, email mdwritersblock@gmail.com.
Novel Manuscript Exchange
Genres: Novel-length fiction, all genres
Leader: Mark WillenThis is a "virtual" online group for authors seeking to exchange critiques of full-length novel manuscripts. Currently closed to new members.
Anne Arundel County / Annapolis
Annapolis Historical Fiction Group
Genre: Historical Fiction
Leader: Hope StewartGroup meets once a month. For writers of historical fiction to critique work as well as discuss specific aspects of writing in the genre.
Annapolis Poetry Group
Genres: poetry
Leader: Dotty Doherty, doherty44@verizon.netWomen's writing group that meets in Annapolis at Eastport Shopping Center, Wednesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Currently closed to new members.
Annapolis Write On!
Genres: novels (except romance) and nonfiction books
Leader: Newton Love, newt@newtlove.comGroup meets every two weeks in the Annapolis area, weeknights, at members' homes. Currently closed to new members.
Annapolis Writers Bloc
Genres: fiction and nonfiction
Leader: Sonia Linebaugh, sonialinebaugh@hotmail.comWriters of intermediate to advanced skill preferred. Meets monthly at members' homes in Annapolis and South County. Currently closed to new members.
Annapolis Writers' Critique Group
Genres: Women's' fiction, romance, and mainstream (no short stories, science fiction, or poetry).
Leader: Eva Kapitan, evakapitan@comcast.netor (301) 928 1300Group meets once a month on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Annapolis. Currently closed to new members.
BayHill Writers
Various locations in Calvert & southern Anne Arundel Counties
Genres: All genres welcome
Leader: Les DickeyMeets 3rd Monday of each month 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We have been meeting for four years and have a mix of published/unpublished writers. Please contact coordinator Les Dickey for the next location and a copy of the group guidelines.
Broadneck Writer's Workshop
Cape St. Claire on the Broadneck Peninsula
Genres: Fiction and nonfiction
Leader: Jane ElkinGroup meets weekly and they now have a website complete with information about the group and member biographies with sample work. It's at www.broadneckwritersworkshop.com . Contact Jane at the above e-mail address or call (410) 757-1008 to be put on a waiting list.
Crofton/Annapolis Poetry
Genre: All styles
Leader: MegNew group forming. Meet every other week at public venue. All styles welcome. Contact Meg at pirate_pegleg@verizon.net for more details.
Crofton Fiction Writers
Genre: All fiction
Leader: LynnNew group forming. Meets once a month in Crofton. All levels of experience welcome. Contact Lynn at lkdaue@gmail.com for more details.
Scriptwriting Group
Genres: Any type of script (stage, screen, etc.)
Leader: Scott Morrow, scottdmorrow@hotmail.comUsually meets in Annapolis. Accepting new members.
Waterfront Writers
Genres: All Fiction
Leader: Sandee Campbell, butterflyharvest@gmail.comNew critique group forming. Meetings are currently held twice a month in Arnold. Contact Sandee for more details..
Baltimore County / Baltimore City
Baltimore Area Writers
Genres: Creative/literary nonfiction
Leader: Lauren Eisenberg Davis, autumnleaves1997@gmail.comor (410) 526-6936Members from Baltimore area including Columbia and Essex meet to discuss their creative nonfiction--essays, memoirs, family stories, etc. Currently closed to new members.
Charm City Writers
Genres: All genres welcome
Leader: Roslyn Boyd, drroslyn79@yahoo.comCurrently closed to new members. Group meets once or twice a month in Baltimore City.
Hampden Writers' Group
Genres: Fiction, creative non-fiction, short stories and novels
Leader: Chris Kosmides, hampdenwriters@yahoo.comWe meet one day a month in Hampden, Baltimore. For the other days, come and join us on Facebook.
Calvert County
BayHill Writers
Various locations in Calvert & southern Anne Arundel Counties
Genres: All genres welcome
Leader: Les DickeyMeets 3rd Monday of each month 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We have been meeting for four years and have a mix of published/unpublished writers. Please contact coordinator Les Dickey for the next location and a copy of the group guidelines.
Carroll County
The Carroll County Writers' Group
Eldersburg Library
Genres: novels and short stories
Leader: Jack DownsMeetings will be held once-a-month and there will also be a virtual (email) meeting each month between face-to-face meetings. Accepting new members.
Frederick County
Frederick Writers' Group
Frederick area
Genres: short stories (fiction) & novels
Leader: Toby EberlyNew critique group forming. Group will meet every two weeks.
Genres: Novels, short stories (fiction)
Leader: Lara PrescottA group of fiction writers from Frederick who want to workshop their writing and learn from each other about the craft. Together, we’ll share our writing, get inspired, and grow as a group. All fiction writers, regardless of experience, are welcome. We meet 2-3 times per month in various locations in downtown Frederick.
Harford County
Harford Writers' Group
Contact: Karin Harrison Karinhk1@aol.com
Meet at: Center for the Arts, Tudor Hall
17 Tudor Lane, Bel Air, MD 21015
When: First Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMNew members welcome.
Howard County / Columbia
Columbia Fiction Critique Group
Genres: Fiction
Moderator: David Spriggs, fastigial@hotmail.comMembers meet other week to discuss novels, short stories and flash fiction. Closed to new members. Email fastigial@hotmail.com to be added to waiting list.
Genres: MG and YA
Meets at La Madeleine, 6211 Columbia Crossing, ColumbiaContact: Email Jennifer Michael for more information. Accepting new members.
De Fictione
Ellicott City-Columbia area of Howard County
Contact: Tom Glenn, tomglenn3@comcast.net
Genres: Fiction, short stories, novel chapters, and complete novelsSeasoned writers preferred. Please email with preferences for meeting times. Now open to new members. We're seeking serious and experienced writers.
Savage Writer's Circle
Savage Branch of the Howard County Library, 9525 Durness Ln, Laurel, MD 20723 (410) 880-5975
Genres: Fiction, poetry, short stories, children's literature, historical, non-fiction, etc.
Contact: Claire Ferguson at claire@sunforge.com.Meets on the second Monday of each month, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Montgomery County
The Novel Experience
Genre: Novel-length fiction, all genres welcome (except romance)
Leader: CindyMeets every 2-3 weeks on Sunday afternoons (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.) at a member's home. Interested parties should be working on novel-length fiction. Currently closed to new members.
Rockville Area Critique Group
Genre: Mainstream and/or literary fiction
Leader: Judy Kelly, jckelly100@yahoo.com, (301) 929-0959Members meet in the Rockville area at the Twinbrook or Aspen Hill Library, or member homes. Meets once or twice a month. Contact Judy Kelly. The Rockville Writers' Group is now closed to new members.
White Oak Writers (WOW)
Meets at White Oak Library and members' homes mainly in Montgomery County
Genre: all
Contact: Gale Deitch, gdeitch1@verizon.net
Meets twice a month on the second Mondays and fourth Tuesdays. We are open to new members.
Wheaton Writers Group
Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, and poetry in all genres for all age levels
Contact: Jennifer M., wheatonwriters@yahoo.comNew critique group forming. The Wheaton Writers Group seeks writers who are committed to developing their work to a high professional standard, with an eye toward publication. The group will meet monthly at area coffeehouses, library meeting rooms, or member's homes to exchange feedback and resources. The initial meeting will take place at the Caribou Coffee on Norbeck Road in Rockville, during the second week of March. Please write wheatonwriters@yahoo.com for more information.
Prince George's County
Prince Georges County
New critique group forming. Focus is on fiction. First meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Borders in Capitol Center Boulevard (Largo, MD), date TBA. Please contact Yvonne at yvoniks@aol.com for more infomation.
Talbot County
Working Writers' Forum
Easton, MD
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Leader: Gerald Sweeney, sweeneygf@aol.comThe Working Writers' Forum is a group of experienced Eastern Shore writers that meets monthly on Tuesday evenings to critique each other's writing and discuss common issues facing writers. Forum critique guidelines assure nonjudgmental, confidential reviews of members' writing with a focus on craft. Currently closed to new members.Writers who are interested in being placed on a waiting list should contact the forum moderator at the above e-mail address.
Wicomico County
If you'd like to form a critique group, or find out whether an existing group matches your interests, contact Barbara Diehl.
