We're looking for writers with the right attitude. Current members of this group want any and all reactions and suggestions. They want to get published and they know a somewhat tough-skinned attitude is the key to publishing success. The attitude is much more difficult than it sounds, but it can be acquired through hard work if it doesn't come naturally. Being sensitive to feedback and criticism is a sign that you don't yet have the right attitude and developing a productive attitude is going to be a struggle for you. We're willing to help you change, if you're prepared for the challenge.

Admittance is not based on how well you write or your [publishing] credentials. Do not email me your work.

No young people. Adults only.

Sunday afternoons cannot be a scheduling problem for you. You must be able to attend regularly. We are not a casual, drop-in occasionally kinda group.

Strictly genre fiction: novels, short stories, and/or novellas. If you're not sure what you write, chances are you don't write genre fiction.

This critique group is advanced. Our focus is publishable writing--a very high bar, a much higher bar than would be presented in many writing courses, for instance.

Because the group is advanced, we're looking for members who are not beginners. We realize beginner is a completely subjective term. We're defining beginners as writers who have been writing fiction less than a year and/or who've written less than 25,000 words of fiction. It is not uncommon for members to have already written a novel before they join. Here's the thinking on beginner writers--

• Joining a critique group should not be your first step to becoming a writer. There are other steps you need to take first; you need to write and you need to learn about writing.
  
• It's best if you learn about yourself as a writer on your own first. You do that through writing. A lot. Every day. (In November, try National Novel Writing Month.) We want you to get your feet under you, to figure out what you write, to gain some confidence as a writer, to begin to develop your own style, and to develop the habit of writing before you start being pelted and possibly overwhelmed with suggestions from us.
  
• You also need to study fiction writing on your own first. This is not the same as voraciously reading fiction which you should also do. A critique group is not a methodical learning experience of the kind you get through self-study of how to write fiction books or by taking writing courses. The less you know about fiction writing basics, the less you're going to get from our critiques of your work, and the less you're going to be able to give when you critique us.

1. How long have you been writing fiction?
2. What kind(s) of genre fiction do you write? What fiction have you completed? Are you published? What is your current fiction work(s)-in-progress?
3. Have you been in a writing group before?
4. Where do you live? (Don't give me your address; just town/city) Will you be able to attend Sunday afternoon meetings?
5. How'd you find out about us?

However, everyone's different. Email me, Gigi Vernon, the in-person group leader and online group moderator, anyway. Whatever your circumstances, I'll try to help. I might be able to set you up with another group(s), especially if Sunday afternoons are an issue for you. Or I may ask you to take six months and acquire some experience by studying and writing 25,000 words on your own before you join us.

Anyone is welcome to join our online Ithaca Fiction Critique Group which also serves as an online waiting list/room when the in-person group is full. Our online group is a place for local writers (any kind of writer, anywhere in the region) to find/meet other local writers, find critique partners, or organize their own local writing group.

Click to join ithacafictioncritique