Online Writing Groups, Writing Communities and Critique Groups
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Looking for information about online writers' groups? Look no further!
Online writing groups can be a great way to make connections in the writing and publishing world and to get critiques that will improve your skills as a writer. That is, if you can find one that suits you. Here you'll find current, up-to-date reviews of online critique groups and writer's communities.
Have a review you'd like to share? Feel free to post in the comments! I'll even post a link to your website/blog/writer's profile, if you like.
Want to see what other writers think of these groups? Jump to the poll farther down the page, where more than 160 people have voted for their favorite sites. According to this poll, Scribophile is the most highly rated site, followed by Critique Circle and Authonomy.
I've organized the groups by popularity for ease of navigation, but don't forget that some of the smaller sites could be a perfect fit - especially the ones that are genre-specific, or that require extra effort to join.
You can also check out Writers' Groups, Organizations and Associations by State to find a local writer's group near you.
Image by Emma Larkins.
Have a review you'd like to share? Feel free to post in the comments! I'll even post a link to your website/blog/writer's profile, if you like.
Want to see what other writers think of these groups? Jump to the poll farther down the page, where more than 160 people have voted for their favorite sites. According to this poll, Scribophile is the most highly rated site, followed by Critique Circle and Authonomy.
I've organized the groups by popularity for ease of navigation, but don't forget that some of the smaller sites could be a perfect fit - especially the ones that are genre-specific, or that require extra effort to join.
You can also check out Writers' Groups, Organizations and Associations by State to find a local writer's group near you.
Image by Emma Larkins.
What Kind of Group Are You Looking For?
Click the link to go there!
- Most Popular Online Writing Groups
- Second Most Popular Online Writing Groups
- Third Most Popular Online Writer's Groups
- Fourth Most Popular Online Writing Groups
- New, Possibly Unloved Groups
- Community Only Online Writing Groups: Fiction
- Community Only Online Writing Groups: Non-Fiction
- Directory of Defunct Writer's Groups
Most Popular Online Writing Groups
Scribophile, Critique Circle, Authonomy
Review Fuse, Absolute Write
Each of these groups have at least 12 votes in their favor. More popular doesn't necessarily mean better, but they're a good choice for getting your feet wet.Scribophile: I've had a great experience with this online critique group so far. Basically, once you've signed up for the site, you critique other people's work to get a certain number of 'points.' Once you've gained enough points, you can post your own work. The community is great, and the critiquers offer useful, insightful advice. The website is easy to navigate, and you can easily keep track of critiques you've given and received, which is not true for all sites. Scribophile has a "story queue" feature that makes it easy to pick which story you want to read next. Virtually all stories posted receive critiques. Also has contests.
Critique Circle Online Writing Workshop: Having to sign up means that your work won't be considered "published" when you use this site. There are also a bunch of features that writers really appreciate, such as being able to choose who can view your work and being able to delete or change settings at any time.
Authonomy: Thanks to Cati for spotting this one. Cati writes: "I've joined two groups: authonomy.com and inkpop.com. They're both great sites. Authonomy is for those 18 years and older, but inkpop focuses mainly on teens. What's great about the two is that if your book gets in the top ten, it is read by Harper Collins editors! I am on them both frequently and I love them. There's critiquing and you can chat with people in the community. I love them both and I'd recommend them to anyone." The developer of Authonomy and Inkpop (rikleigh) has created a great guide on Squidoo for getting started: Authonomy Online Writing Community.
Review Fuse: This popular site is of the "you give, you get" format: for every four reviews you give, you are guaranteed three in return. You need to sign up for an account in order to participate and see others' work, which means that your work won't be considered "previously published" if you ever seek out a traditional publisher.
Absolute Write Water Cooler: This highly active forum is great for connecting with writers and getting answers to writing-related questions.
Your Favorite Community/Critique Online Writing Group:
Vote Here!
This poll is for the fiction critique groups listed above. Keep reading for community (non-critiquing) groups and non-fiction groups!
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Second Most Popular Online Writing Groups
Writing.com, Writer's Cafe, Inkpop
Quantum Muse, The Write Idea
These groups are also fairly well-known, ranging in votes from about eleven to about four.
Writing.com: With more than 944,000 members, this is a fairly active writing critique group. It also offers special services and tools to the aspiring author. Great for getting discovered, but not great if you're looking for a site that keeps your stuff under wraps.
Writer's Cafe: In my experience so far, more of a community than a critique website. You can put your story up on the website for review, but the reviewing structure isn't as organized as that of Scribophile. When you read a story, you have the option to "share" it with your friends through email, Facebook, MySpace, etc. This is good if you just want to get your story out, not so good if you don't. Sheer volume of stories with little organizational structure makes it difficult to pick something to read. The people here are very friendly. Also has contests.
Figment (was Inkpop): (originally suggested by Cati in the comments section). The look of this site will draw you in right away. Kelly B., who first pointed out this site's transition to us, notes that there can be a lot of effort involved promoting your work internally in order to win contests and thus get story-focused prizes.
Quantum Muse: (for science fiction, fantasy, and horror) Submitted by Timothy O. Goyette. Similar to Critters, you "earn" your keep by critiquing the works of others. Again, don't forget that making your work public on the internet can affect publishing options later on.
The Write Idea: This site is set up primarily as a forum for writers, where you can meet people and solicit advice in addition to posting your story for critique. There is a tight community here, and the number of stories isn't overwhelming. A good portion of stories posted actually receive critiques. Again, less structure than Scribophile. Also has contests.
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Writing.com: With more than 944,000 members, this is a fairly active writing critique group. It also offers special services and tools to the aspiring author. Great for getting discovered, but not great if you're looking for a site that keeps your stuff under wraps.
Writer's Cafe: In my experience so far, more of a community than a critique website. You can put your story up on the website for review, but the reviewing structure isn't as organized as that of Scribophile. When you read a story, you have the option to "share" it with your friends through email, Facebook, MySpace, etc. This is good if you just want to get your story out, not so good if you don't. Sheer volume of stories with little organizational structure makes it difficult to pick something to read. The people here are very friendly. Also has contests.
Figment (was Inkpop): (originally suggested by Cati in the comments section). The look of this site will draw you in right away. Kelly B., who first pointed out this site's transition to us, notes that there can be a lot of effort involved promoting your work internally in order to win contests and thus get story-focused prizes.
Quantum Muse: (for science fiction, fantasy, and horror) Submitted by Timothy O. Goyette. Similar to Critters, you "earn" your keep by critiquing the works of others. Again, don't forget that making your work public on the internet can affect publishing options later on.
The Write Idea: This site is set up primarily as a forum for writers, where you can meet people and solicit advice in addition to posting your story for critique. There is a tight community here, and the number of stories isn't overwhelming. A good portion of stories posted actually receive critiques. Again, less structure than Scribophile. Also has contests.
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Third Most Popular Online Writer's Groups
Quilliant, Critters, Write-Brained Network
Amazing Instant Novelist, Nothing Binding
Each of these critique/community groups received at least two votes. Several of them are specialized (such as Critters), and/or require more work to join. Others are too new to have made much of an impression.
Quilliant: Thanks to marchpast for suggesting this brand-new, UK based writers' critique site. Anyone can join, and once you do, you can form "groups" with other writers based on what kinds of categories of writing (essays, chick lit, young adult, etc.) you're interested it. Group members focus on reviewing one another's work, creating smaller communities within the larger community.
Critters Writers Workshop: (for science fiction, fantasy, and horror) This is a highly active online writer's group, with a high chance of recieving critiques for a story. However, note that there is a lot of commitment involved; you will be dropped from this group if you do not critique regularly enough.
The Write-Brained Network: This site was suggested by Bridgid. It is fairly new, but already has a thriving community of writers. The site is password-encrypted and by invitation, although it supports all levels of writers. You can find critique partners, as well as just talk about the progress of your writing.
Amazing Instant Novelist Revisited (Facebook group): Thanks to Funloving for submitting this new group in the comments! This group has frequent discussions about writing topics (and puppies!)
Nothing Binding: This is a group aimed specifically at writers and authors who want to connect with their readers, and through these connections develop a readership for their work.
Image by SpecialKRB on Flickr.
Back to Top | Voting | Comments
Quilliant: Thanks to marchpast for suggesting this brand-new, UK based writers' critique site. Anyone can join, and once you do, you can form "groups" with other writers based on what kinds of categories of writing (essays, chick lit, young adult, etc.) you're interested it. Group members focus on reviewing one another's work, creating smaller communities within the larger community.
Critters Writers Workshop: (for science fiction, fantasy, and horror) This is a highly active online writer's group, with a high chance of recieving critiques for a story. However, note that there is a lot of commitment involved; you will be dropped from this group if you do not critique regularly enough.
The Write-Brained Network: This site was suggested by Bridgid. It is fairly new, but already has a thriving community of writers. The site is password-encrypted and by invitation, although it supports all levels of writers. You can find critique partners, as well as just talk about the progress of your writing.
Amazing Instant Novelist Revisited (Facebook group): Thanks to Funloving for submitting this new group in the comments! This group has frequent discussions about writing topics (and puppies!)
Nothing Binding: This is a group aimed specifically at writers and authors who want to connect with their readers, and through these connections develop a readership for their work.
Image by SpecialKRB on Flickr.
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Fourth Most Popular Online Writing Groups
Composite Minds, Dreaming in Ink, Hatrack
Bookrix, WeBook, Stories Space
Most of these are too new or too small to have received any votes yet. Small groups can mean better and more focused critiques - just make sure that there are enough people actually using the site to make it worth your while.
Composite Minds: This is a community for writers of poetry and prose. At the moment, there isn't a ton of feedback, and I'm a little concerned that the writing is visible to everyone; make sure to only post excerpts to preserve your first publication rights.
Dreaming In Ink Writer's Workshop: This is a limited community that uses an elist without archives so that you can post your work without worrying about first electronic rights. Always remember to be careful when posting your work online, as it could affect your ability to sell it to a publisher later!
Hatrack River Writers Workshop: (Part of the Orson Scott Card network) This is a site with a closed forum that you must register for to enter the workshop, which means it's okay to publish your work without future publication issues.
BookRix: This site offers ebooks for free (I assume so that authors can build a readership) and also hosts a writing community.
WeBook: This group was suggested by Peggy Dallmann. It's a critique group that is strongly focused on building a community; one part social networking site, and one part writing critique site. There's also a feature that helps you submit your stories electronically to agents, and has links to agents' websites, although according to some the information isn't always up to date. For a review on WeBook, check out this article on Listio.
Stories Space: This is a new online group brought to our attention by Lisa Bradley. The homepage gives you easy access to the latest, most viewed, and most popular stories submitted. Users register, and then enter stories in various genres (including audio). Stories are also rated based on their content; because there is some "extreme content," you must be at least 16 years old to use the site. This site includes a forum and a live chat section for connecting with other writers. Note that because the site is open to everyone, you might have issues publishing a story "traditionally" after first posting it on this site.
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Composite Minds: This is a community for writers of poetry and prose. At the moment, there isn't a ton of feedback, and I'm a little concerned that the writing is visible to everyone; make sure to only post excerpts to preserve your first publication rights.
Dreaming In Ink Writer's Workshop: This is a limited community that uses an elist without archives so that you can post your work without worrying about first electronic rights. Always remember to be careful when posting your work online, as it could affect your ability to sell it to a publisher later!
Hatrack River Writers Workshop: (Part of the Orson Scott Card network) This is a site with a closed forum that you must register for to enter the workshop, which means it's okay to publish your work without future publication issues.
BookRix: This site offers ebooks for free (I assume so that authors can build a readership) and also hosts a writing community.
WeBook: This group was suggested by Peggy Dallmann. It's a critique group that is strongly focused on building a community; one part social networking site, and one part writing critique site. There's also a feature that helps you submit your stories electronically to agents, and has links to agents' websites, although according to some the information isn't always up to date. For a review on WeBook, check out this article on Listio.
Stories Space: This is a new online group brought to our attention by Lisa Bradley. The homepage gives you easy access to the latest, most viewed, and most popular stories submitted. Users register, and then enter stories in various genres (including audio). Stories are also rated based on their content; because there is some "extreme content," you must be at least 16 years old to use the site. This site includes a forum and a live chat section for connecting with other writers. Note that because the site is open to everyone, you might have issues publishing a story "traditionally" after first posting it on this site.
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New, Possibly Unloved Groups
If They're Good...
Vote Them Up!
Most of these are too new or too small to have received any votes yet. Small groups can mean better and more focused critiques - just make sure that there are enough people actually using the site to make it worth your while.
The Writer's Beat: Thanks to Gwyndolin for spotting this one. Gwyndolin writes: "writersbeat.com is a great one. There are sections to post writing and it can be anything from songs to fiction to poetry (plus more) and advice and tips sections, plus community building sections - places to talk about things not related to writing at all if you want. It's a great group of people."
The Reddit Writer's Group: Reddit is an awesome online community group for people with all sorts of interests. Again, because it's an open group, be careful about posting things that you want to have published elsewhere.
Story Dam: According to creator Brandon, "We are a new writer's community. The site is not by subscription, authors post their work to their own sites/blogs and use a link tool to visit each others work and critique." This site launches on November 1, 2011. I like the idea of connecting writers, but I will caution once again that posting writing on your blog or site counts as "publishing" and could affect the interest of traditional publishers.
The Next Big Writer: This is a PAID site (not free) for writers to share their work. I personally would be cautious about signing up for a paid site, but you can click on the link if you want to check it out.
The Writer's Beat: Thanks to Gwyndolin for spotting this one. Gwyndolin writes: "writersbeat.com is a great one. There are sections to post writing and it can be anything from songs to fiction to poetry (plus more) and advice and tips sections, plus community building sections - places to talk about things not related to writing at all if you want. It's a great group of people."
The Reddit Writer's Group: Reddit is an awesome online community group for people with all sorts of interests. Again, because it's an open group, be careful about posting things that you want to have published elsewhere.
Story Dam: According to creator Brandon, "We are a new writer's community. The site is not by subscription, authors post their work to their own sites/blogs and use a link tool to visit each others work and critique." This site launches on November 1, 2011. I like the idea of connecting writers, but I will caution once again that posting writing on your blog or site counts as "publishing" and could affect the interest of traditional publishers.
The Next Big Writer: This is a PAID site (not free) for writers to share their work. I personally would be cautious about signing up for a paid site, but you can click on the link if you want to check it out.
Community Only Online Writing Groups: Fiction
Non-Critiquing Writers' Groups
BlogBookTours: This group is focused on helping authors promote their books by going on a 'virtual book tour' across the blogosphere. A great community, and a good way to meet people for aspiring authors.
NaNoWriMo: No list of writing communities would be complete without mention of NaNoWriMo, a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month. What is it, you might ask? Just what it sounds like: a website that challenges people across the US (and now, across the world!) to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. At first glance, that might seem ridiculous, impossible, insane even, but when you break it down, it's only 1,667 words a day, right? Okay, so it still sounds crazy, but NaNoWriMo is emminently equipped to help you handle the challenge. From well-equipped forums to motivational videos to even local, real-life events, NaNoWriMo gives you everything you need to finally achieve your dream of writing a novel.
Don't want to wait until November? You're in luck; there's actually a novel writing month for every month of the year!
Image by kraetzsche on Flickr.
Community Only Online Writing Groups: Non-Fiction
Freelance Writing Groups
These writing sites allow you to post articles, and will even pay you if you get enough views! You can even get suggestions and critiques by making use of the forums.
Squidoo and the SquidU Forum: Squidoo is more for generating sites (a.k.a. lenses) than strictly for writing, but you have to be a good writer to create good sites. Squidoo has great forums that provide members with useful feedback on their sites.
Associated Content Writer's Workshop: The forums at Associated Content are well-attended, and you can usually get a response to a question within a day. The Writer's Workshop is an area of the forums dedicated to improving the skills of writers.
Helium Writing Critiques: Helium is another great site for posting articles. The Writing Critiques section of the forum is a great place to go to improve your writing.
The Write-Brained Network: This group is for fiction and nonfiction writers. Read more about the group in the Fiction section above.
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Squidoo and the SquidU Forum: Squidoo is more for generating sites (a.k.a. lenses) than strictly for writing, but you have to be a good writer to create good sites. Squidoo has great forums that provide members with useful feedback on their sites.
Associated Content Writer's Workshop: The forums at Associated Content are well-attended, and you can usually get a response to a question within a day. The Writer's Workshop is an area of the forums dedicated to improving the skills of writers.
Helium Writing Critiques: Helium is another great site for posting articles. The Writing Critiques section of the forum is a great place to go to improve your writing.
The Write-Brained Network: This group is for fiction and nonfiction writers. Read more about the group in the Fiction section above.
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Can't Find an Online Writers' Group That Works For You?
Start One of Your Own!
Directory of Defunct Writer's Groups
(as of October 2011)
In my search for writers' groups and critique groups, I came across several that either weren't being used any more or weren't accepting new users. Here is what I found.
Aylad's Writer's Group: This is a Yahoo group focused on critiquing writing over email. It has a pretty bare-bones structure compared to the other groups. Also seems to have succumbed to some flame wars. The associated website hasn't been updated for a long time, but the chat group still exists. This online writer's group is age restricted. Seems to have been losing traffic over the last few months.
Short Story Group: The group forum for this site is closed. However, you can still go here to get some good information about critiquing and writing.
Coffeehouse Select Critique Community: The critique group is closed, but this site still has some great information!
CritiqueGroups.com: The website is no longer at this url.
Aylad's Writer's Group: This is a Yahoo group focused on critiquing writing over email. It has a pretty bare-bones structure compared to the other groups. Also seems to have succumbed to some flame wars. The associated website hasn't been updated for a long time, but the chat group still exists. This online writer's group is age restricted. Seems to have been losing traffic over the last few months.
Short Story Group: The group forum for this site is closed. However, you can still go here to get some good information about critiquing and writing.
Coffeehouse Select Critique Community: The critique group is closed, but this site still has some great information!
CritiqueGroups.com: The website is no longer at this url.
More Great Sites About Writing and Connecting
Click To Visit
Vote for your favorite! And feel free to add any I've missed.
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http://www.compositeminds.com
A new free online writing community connecting wri more...2 points
Book-in-a-Week | Where Writers Write Together
A writing community for writers of all experience.1 point
http://www.quilliant.com
A great new writing site featuring full critiquing more...1 point
Local Writers' Associations of America
Connecting with a local writers' group is key to g more...0 points
Novel Writing Months
Nanowrimo is a writing challenge that tasks writer more...0 points
Writers: How to Get Published (Successfully!)
I'm on a journey from here to publishdom. Along th more...0 points
Emma Larkins
A blog about the writing life.0 points
Comparing Writers' Groups: Online vs. Offline
If you ask a well-established published author if more...0 points
Writers Connect
Bringing writers to writers and writers to readers0 points
Guide to Literary Agents - Where & How To Find The Right Representative For Your Work
a resource center for all writers from queries, co more...0 points
Free Novel Writing Help and Advice
Whether you're a novel writing newbie or you need more...0 points
Libboo - Welcome to Libboo
Read books, write papers, network with friends, co more...0 points
Encouraging Words for Writers
Encouragement, motivation, and practical help for more...0 points
Zombie Logic
Poetry, writing advice, webcomics, and personal vi more...0 points
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Did I Miss Any Online Writers' Groups?
Or Any Other Suggestions?
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Aamir sindhi
May 28, 2012 @ 12:15 pm | delete
- good
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Aamir sindhi
May 28, 2012 @ 12:15 pm | delete
- good
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Kelly B.
May 26, 2012 @ 12:56 pm | delete
- Figment.com is a good site for their contests, but to get your work noticed you have to promote it, so it gets extremely tiring. I hate it for that fact, but if you're willing to devote a lot of time for a week or two, then you might win a contest and get an awsome prize, like a chat with an author. This is the only reason I like the site is for the contests, but I thought I would mention it. I think it is mostly comprised of younger writers, too.
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Atreyusmommy May 19, 2012 @ 10:27 pm | delete
- Awesome lens. My fiance and I recently completed our debut paranormal novel and have been looking for a good writer's group to join. Thank you so much for sharing this.
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Phil Lanuto
May 17, 2012 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- You missed one of the oldest and biggest online writing and critique groups - TheNextBigWriter.
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I love to connect with other writers using online writer's groups. See my blog and my website for more info about my writing! more »
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