Here is a sample of participation guidelines that have worked well for some of our established Cafe Critique Groups. Feel free to alter them to fit your groups needs.
1. Membership- As you know, membership is limited to 10 members. To keep your membership you must remain active. An active member is expected to critique files within ten days of the date they are posted. You may critique files as they are posted, or critique them all at once, whichever is most convenient for you.
2. Posting Files for Critique- In order to keep the workload to a manageable level, members may post no more than 1 critique request per week. This includes rewritten versions.
You are asked to submit pieces for critique under the Documents section of the critique group’s site.
Please make sure to post them in HTML or a text file so that everyone will be able to read your work.
Be sure that your name and the title of your story is included in the file!
Once your file is uploaded to the Documents section, go to the Critiques message board and post a message announcing the file is up for critique, including the title of the manuscript in the Subject line of your message.
If you have any particular questions or concerns about your piece, this is a great time to get them answered, so be sure to include those questions in your message. What stage is your manuscript in?
Is it a rough draft, a rewritten version, a final draft? What do you expect to learn from the critiques given? Do you want a line-by-line analysis, an overview of the big picture (plot, characterization, voice)? Make sure your request fits the level of manuscript you have.
3. Managing our Space- You are asked to remove your stories from files after you have received critiques from all other members, unless you will be posting revised versions or chapters of a longer work. You may create a file to store the original versions for comparison or previous chapters if you wish.
Please note- there is no TIME limit on files being in the Documents section, just remove them after everyone has critiqued, or move them to a file to store them. If someone is delayed with their critique, it’s perfectly acceptable to leave the story up more than ten days.
4. Tracking Critiques- There will be a critique log posted in the Documents files so that everyone can conveniently keep track of the critiques they’ve completed and new files posted on the board. Your story will remain on the log for ten days, and removed after it is critiqued by all members. This way, you will be able to track who has critiqued your story, and how long it’s been posted in the files section.
5. Critiquing- Each member must be up to date on critiques before posting a file of their own for critique. It is only fair that you give critiques if you expect to get them. (The exception to this rule is new members who are not required to critique stories posted before they joined.)
If you have limited online time, you may find it best to copy and paste the piece you’re going to critique to a word processor to critique in your off-line time. To do this, open the file you’d like to critique, click ‘Edit’ in the upper left of your screen, then ‘select all’. Click ‘Edit’ again, and ‘Copy’. Close the file, and open your word processor. Click the cursor on the word processor page, and click the ‘paste’ icon in your tool bar. You can then save the document for critiquing, and when you’re ready to post your critique, simply copy and paste it into a message at the Critiques message board.
6. Each member has free choice to pass on critiquing any story, which goes against their beliefs or that they find offensive. If you can not critique a file for these reasons, you are asked to send a private email to me just telling me which file you will not be critiquing. No explanation is necessary unless it is thought you are abusing this privilege.
7. Flaming or tearing down someone’s work will not be tolerated. It is possible to give your opinion while sparing the authors feelings. (See the Critiquing Mss article in the Writing and Critiquing Help file in the Documents section for help with ‘what to say’) Everyone is encouraged to be honest, but not hateful. Anyone not abiding will be banned from the group. If you feel you have been flamed, please let me know.
8. No profanity, derogatory language, or discrimination against other members will be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to racism, sexism, ageism etc.
9. Late and/or missing critiques: A warning will be issued when a member either is late with 4 or more critiques within a month or have been repeatedly late. After a member receives 3 warnings, their membership will be removed. If a member is removed they will only be given 1 future chance at membership.
10. If at some point, a change in your life makes it impossible to keep up with the critiques for an extended period of time, you may take a leave of absence by simply emailing a moderator, and posting a message of your intention at the group. Your membership will be removed from the group until you are ready to re-apply for membership. Taking a leave of absence does not affect your chance to re-apply for membership, but if your slot has been filled in the meantime, you may have to wait for a slot to open to rejoin the group.
11. If you notice that a member of the group is not pulling their weight, or if you have not been receiving a critique from each member, please contact me privately by email.
If you have questions or concerns regarding these guidelines, please feel free to post at the message board or email me.
Thanks, The founders
This is a sample of admission questions used in some established Cafe critique groups. You may wish to add or subtract from these to fit the needs and interests of your particular group.
Thanks so much for your interest in the (Name of your group) critque group!
The moderators have put together this list of questions to get to know you a little better, and to help determine whether this critique group will be a good fit for you. We are a group who are dedicated to our writing, and working hard at perfecting our craft. Beginners and new writers are welcome. (Or you might say 'This group is for advanced writers only'... whatever you've decided the make-up of the group will be.)
You may copy and paste this list into a new email, or simply reply to this email. (Most moderators send this list to potential members by e-mail)
Thank you so much for your interest. :-)
-The moderators
1)Have you read and do you understand the guidelines and requirements for this group? (it's important to send a copy of the guidelines for your group to potential members before they apply)
2) Are you a member of the Children's Book Writers' Cafe club?
3) What do you expect to gain from this group?
4) What do you expect to give to this group?
5) Are you actively seeking publication?
6) How long have you been writing for children?
7) Would you consider yourself an amateur, intermediate, or professional writer?
8) Have you ever been in a critique group before? Online or face-to-face?
9) Do you currently regularly read within the Picture book age group (prereader-6 or 7)?
10) Are you actively working on your craft?
11) Have you published? While publication is not a requirment for membership, your answer will give us a better idea of where you are with your writing, and how the group can help you think about and meet your writing goals. (yes, publication in nonpaying and online markets DO count!)
12) Members in similar groups report that participation requires one to two hours, on average, per week. Are you prepared to spend at least this much time critiquing and participating in our group?
Please submit a breif writing sample. Your sample does not need to be a complete story, but please choose a few paragraphs that show your level and style of writing.
