For the last 2 years, I’ve taken part in a science fiction/horror/fantasy critique group as part of GLAWS. We’ve met pretty consistantly, once a month, usually at the Venice library on a Saturday afternoon. This month, however, because of various schedule matters, we ended up using the back patio of a fellow GLAWS member, who very graciously accommodated us.
You can’t see anything of him except his arms gesturing there, but our fearless group leader, Ace Antonio Hall, does an excellent job of keeping people motivated.
For a critique group, we usually have a large turn out. And most of them are wonderfully consistent at showing up. We have a rule that encourages participation on those months when someone else’s work is being critiqued. It can be the bane of any writers’ group that some people only show up when their work is the one getting notes. We’ve tried to short circuit that by requiring a certain amount of attendance before your turn at the submissions slots comes up.
We generally do three submissions a month, each about 20 double-spaced pages. Then we go round and try to keep each reader to three minutes of feedback – trying to stick to the positive and what we think works first. That way the “problems list” is kept in a more encouraging context.
It’s very satisfying that most everyone who participates in this group turns in very good work. The horror genre is not my thing, but the pieces I’ve read in this group have been really good. I really hope my friends in the group do hit the market well and strongly – they deserve a bigger audience.
As for myself, their feedback has given me very important elements that I need to address in my fantasy novel. I’m going to have to acknowledge their assistance, when I finally finish the work.
Oh, and “ScHoFan” — it’s the beginnings of the genre names all pressed together.
