Below, we’ve copied a sample set of rules for a critique or writing support group. Please feel free to lift these and edit as needed for your own groups!

Feedback/Critique Sessions:

RECURRING DATE (“First Monday of the Month”, “Every Wednesday”, Etc)
RECURRING TIME

Critique sessions will be held on Zoom, with links posted in the Discord.

Anyone who misses the Zoom chat but still wants to give feedback on that month’s submissions can do so via the “Feedback” channel on the Discord server or via DMs.

General Group Rules:

1. No harassment. This one is pretty self-explanatory. If anyone has concerns, they can DM the Moderator privately to handle the matter.
2. Group Size. The group shall not exceed more than X members maximum, to keep our sessions to a reasonable length.
3. Inactivity. You are not required to attend every meeting (we’re all busy people who have scheduling conflicts from time to time).
   However: If a group member does not participate in at least one group call over a X-month period, they will be placed on temporary probation and notified by the Moderator via Discord DM. If they do not participate in any Zoom calls for X more months after that, they will be removed from the group.
   

Meeting Itinerary:

1. Check in. The Moderator will randomize the list of participants to find that week’s speaking order. We’ll go through each member in that order, and each person will share:
   1. A quick status update where they’re at writing their current project(s)
   2. One good thing that happened to them or one personal achievement since the last meeting. Doesn’t have to be writing-related.
2. Feedback:
   1. Will go in that week’s randomized order by submission, then in that same order by feedback giver. Please keep feedback to under 5 minutes apiece. More detailed feedback can be shared by sending a commented file through the Discord chat, or in DMs after the meeting if needed.
      1. You are not allowed to dispute feedback while it’s being given. If the critiquer asks a question to clarify a point, the submitter can answer though.
      2. After all feedback is given, the submitter can ask for clarification on any critique that was given. Again, please keep it relatively brief.
3. Goal Setting:
   1. Each member goes around in that week’s speaking order and briefly states their writing goals before the next meeting. 
4. Signoff
5. Submissions After Meeting:
   1. Submission is optional. Some members may not need feedback on their work every week, so the number of submissions may vary from month to month.
   2. Members must submit a piece for the next feedback session by the Tuesday before the Feedback group. (Dates will be listed on the “schedule” channel of the Discord server). These will be shared in the “Submissions” Discord channel. Can be shared as a link to a Google Doc or as a Word attachment.
      
      RULES:
      1. Can be in any genre. 
      2. You can submit a novel one section at a time, or it could also be something like a query letter or synopsis.
      3. Please include content warnings for possible triggering or explicit content and respect the decision of any group members to recuse themselves from critiquing that material. The group will not allow discrimination based on race, gender, or orientation, but members are allowed to bow out of reading material they find triggering, or any violent or sexually explicit material that exceeds their comfort level. 
      4. There is a maximum of XX words, or about X pages. (A little wiggle room is allowed if your chapter goes a bit over, but please don’t abuse this rule). No minimum. If you just have one paragraph that’s giving you trouble, you can submit it.
      5. You are allowed to include a “Notes” paragraph at the top of your submission if you’ve revised preceding chapters that would affect this one, or to summarize any skipped chapter(s) you aren’t submitting for feedback.
      6. Please include a brief message at the top of the submission, stating what level of polish this draft is in, and what sort of feedback you’re looking for. (Dialogue giving you trouble? Concerned about pacing? Wondering if the voice feels appropriate to the content? Etc).
      7. You may resubmit a revised piece from a previous session for additional feedback if you feel like it needs more work.

Support Group

RECURRING DATE
RECURRING TIME

Will also take place on Zoom, with meeting links posted in the Discord.

This group is more informal, and does not include critique. It is focused on working out plot issues or getting assistance with brainstorming, as well as general emotional support.

1. Check in. The Moderator will randomize the list of participants for that week’s speaking order. We’ll go through each member in that order and each person will share:
   1. A quick status update where they’re at writing their current project(s)
   2. One good thing that happened to them or one personal achievement since the last meeting. Doesn’t have to be writing-related.
2. Discussion Time:
   1. Will go in that week’s randomized order – each member gets 10-15 minutes to discuss whatever they need the most assistance on at the moment. Members can pass if they don’t have any pressing issues or don’t wish to share.
      
      THIS CAN INCLUDE:
      1. Asking for help untangling a plot wrinkle, or talking out a similar problem in their story
      2. Sharing current frustrations with their WIP or the writing/querying process for emotional support
      3. Taking a quick survey to ask which of two story options the group feels would work best
      4. Anything similar to the above
3. Goal Setting:
   1. Each member goes around in that week’s speaking order and briefly states their writing goals before the next meeting. 
4. Signoff