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Start A New Group!

Q: Help! There's not a group near me! What should I do?
A: Start you own!

Q: What does *that* require?
A: Starting and leading a group is actually extremely easy and requires minimal time, organization, and management skill. The hardest part about organizing a group is deciding when and where you will meet.

Q: Where *would* we meet?
A: There are several places you could meet, including: Individual members' homes, Churches, Library meeting rooms, Cafes, Public meeting rooms in banks,Book stores
Tip: Large book stores often have community relations managers who actively seek writers' groups. They will often be glad to provide not only free meeting space, but also free advertising to help get your group jump started.

Q: Who decides how the group is organized?
A: You do! You (or the group of you) decide meeting times, how many manuscripts are discussed each meeting, page limits, who brings manuscripts and how often, how many people you will include in your group, etc.

Q: How often would we meet?
A: Again, *you* get to decide. Some groups meet monthly. Some meet weekly. Some communicate via email only.Tailoring meetings to the needs of the members is up to each individual group.

Q: How does an email group work?
A: There are many free online hosting sites where you can set up private discussion boards, photo galleries, and even chat rooms. Or, you can simply correspond with your group via email.

Q: I can do this! Where do I sign up?
A:Send Tanya the following information:Name, Address, County, Phone, E-mail, Writer or Illustrator
Range of your work: Fiction; Nonfiction; Magazine Pieces; Picture books; Easy Readers; Chapter Books; Middle Grade Novels; Young Adult Novels; Poetry; or other. Are you interested in an e-mail group or a group that meets in person? How far would you travel to attend a critique group?

Critique Groups

St. Louis

Florissant, St. Louis County
This group meets the second Thursday of every month, although the meeting place changed in January of 2003. The new location is Florissant Presbyterian Church, 660 Charbonier Road. Meetings begin at 7 pm. We ask that everyone attend two meetings before bringing a manuscript for critique. For additional information, contact Sue Bradford Edwards.

Crestwood, Ladue, and Bridgeton, St. Louis County
This group is led by member Julie Douglas and currently has openings available. For more information contact Julie Douglas

"St. Louis Children's Writers' Circle"
This group meets the third Monday of the month from 6:30-8PM at the Barnes & Noble in Des Peres (Manchester Rd.). For more information, contact Sue Wienstroer, Cindy Reeg, or Tanya Seale.

Saint Louis Illustrators Do and Review
This group meets the first Saturday of the month at 9:00am for coffee, donuts and art. Bring your sketch books or anything you're working on and share with other illustrators. We meet at Blank Canvas Creativity Center, 6479 Chippewa, just a block east of Ted Drewes. For more information contact Jae Johans or visit http://www.blankcanvasonline.com for directions.

West St. Louis County Illustrator's Group
This group meets the last Friday of the month at the Barnes and Nobles in DesPeres on Manchester in the Cafe, from 7:00 - 9 p.m. For more information contact Julie Hammond (juliehammond@earthlink.net).

Kansas City

Kansas City Group
This group meets monthly at the Border Books at 9108 Metcalf. For information, email Sue Ford.

Kansas City, Juvenile Writers of Kansas City
This group meets for 10-12 weeks in the fall (starting approx. the last Wednesday in August) and 12+ weeks in the spring (starting approx. the last Wednesday in Feb.). Spends approximately 30 minutes/meeting on marketing stratgies and info. and an hour and a half on manuscript critiques. Costs $5.00/week to cover copying, postage, etc. Meets at 9:30 a.m. on the Kansas side of the metro area. Contact Toni Watson at (816) 229-9349 or email Tony at Tony Watson. Additional info on the group at http:/home.earthlink.net/~jwkc/.

Columbia
For information on joining an in-person critique group in the Columbia area, email Claire Garden.

Long Fiction EMAIL critique group
This email group is for writers of chapter books, middle grade, and young adult material. Email Claire Garden.

"Scribble Critters" EMAIL critique group
This email group is for writers of shorter works including poetry, picture books, magazine articles, and short stories. Email Christina for information on joining.