CPC: YA Writers


Name: Alex
Genre: YA Fantasy 
Current Project: BookEnd 
A teenage boy living in a country called BookEnd, where characters from books - called Quasi Reals (Qrs), are used as cattle, recycled and repurposed, finds out that he’s not as real as he thought. 
Crit Needed: A partial read/query crit/full read - I'll take anything!
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are honest. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. 
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Name: Alexis
Genre: Adventurous fantasy (not epic/high, not paranormal), magical realism, contemporary
Current Projects:
YA- Time of Assassins, completed manuscript on the chopping block for major revisions, about a 17 year old girl who has everything together, then finds out a crazy outlaw from a magical parallel world has sent assassins after her, and that she is apparently heir to a legacy of guardianship that grants her not only powers (which she thinks are silly), responsibility (which she has no time for), and control over space and time (which manages to get in her way more than help). There is also an incorrigible best friend, an insufferably charming golden boy, and a shape-shifting coyote.
MG - Night Will Find You and Never Let You Go, WIP, just under 10k words, about a kid from a town where secrets, lies and truths are currency, who sets off on a Dream quest with a circus girl and her goat in order to find the legendary cure for a Nightmare, which has his father in a coma.
Crit Needed: On the YA, no-holds-barred honesty so I can rebuild from the bones (I have plenty of ideas, but haven't yet begun execution); on the MG, chapter reading as it progresses, with thoughtful discussion as to what works and doesn't, ideas where the story could go, etc. In general, I would prefer a partnership that would not be limited to these two projects.
Looking For: I don't think I could reword this in a better way, so, what she said – "A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development."
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Name: Amber 
Genre: Fantasy, fairy tales, steampunk (those are the main genres I write, but I write pretty much anything that catches my attention).

Current Project: Before the Dawn. Steampunk story about some ghosts and a mystery and murders. It’s in the revision stage so the plot is all up in the air.

Crit Needed: Critique on edited version when I am finished writing. Critique on current outline/characters/plot structure.


Looking For: Looking for someone who I can partner with and have a mutual critiquing/beta-ing relationship with for (hopefully) more than just one novel. I am not quite ready for my manuscript to be edited yet, but I would like my critique partner to be a long term commitment where I can also assist them with their writing. I would also like someone I can go to with a question about a new plot idea or character development as I am writing and get their opinion on it.

As far as writing goes, I want someone who can tell me where my writing is weak, where my voice is inconsistent or my grammar is lacking. Someone who can help with plot development as well as character development. I am looking for someone who will be honest with me and tough and tell me exactly what they think in a helpful rather than harsh manner.


Contact: Email: book.hobbit@gmail.com Website: camemberttheauthor.blogspot.com Twitter: @book_hobbit
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Name: Amanda
Genre: Epic YA Fantasy
Current Project: The Night, about a girl named Aerael with powers to overthrow the false gods of the world, and her two friends, and a dark anti-hero prince who's not sure where he stands on the whole world order, except that he's in love with Aerael.
Crit Needed: A full read/lifelong love
Looking For: A partner who has strengths where I have weaknesses as a writer--someone who's great at weaving in just the right amount of description, character development, and keeping tension real and the character present throughout the entire scene, and can make specific suggestions for improvement in those areas and more. Brutal honesty is great. Being able to point out little grammatical errors and typos is a plus. A good sense of humor would be nice, too, to make sure my little comedic elements aren't only funny to me. =)
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Name: Anita
Genre: Fantasy & Contemporary (I have more fantasy projects that contemporary though)
Current Project: Trifecta. Fifteen year old Maya, is in love with her best friend Michael. But, he's in love with her much prettier, much cooler other best friend Rachel. When Maya has to go to London for the summer because of her Mom's job, she's pretty sure Michael and Rachel will hook up, and her life will be over. Not only is her non-existent love life a wreck, but her Mom makes things worse by telling her on her fifteenth birthday that she's genetically different than normal humans. It's bad enough that she was conceived in a test tube because her mom didn't have a guy in her life. But, now Maya feels like a total freak show--that is until she discovers she's genetically  gifted with the ability to shift.
Crit Needed: I'm working on a full blown re-write now. Heck, it's actually a first draft, if you really think about it. When I finish and edit it as much as I can, I'm looking for someone who likes reading this kind of stuff to critique it.
Looking For: I'm going to steal your line Natalie: I'm definitely looking for a partner who can take me to the next level. I want honest feedback on pacing and the believability of my characters and story.
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Name: Anne
Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal, and sometimes magical realism
Current Project(s): Underneath, a story about a surfer and a sharkmaid. It's about two worlds colliding: above the ocean and below. Alejandro (nicknamed Roo by his friends) has dreams of becoming a professional surfer. Neti has dreams of her 18th birthday when she'll finally be able to leave the ocean and walk on land. In her haste to get there faster, she disobeys her father and learns the blood ritual which turns fins into feet. After a fight with her best friend, who recently told her he loves her, she makes a terrible mistake and attacks Roo on his surfboard. There's only one cure for a sharkmaid's bite, and Neti knows the consequences: death. It's a story about learning to trust someone after a tragedy. Maybe falling in love with them. Also, there might be kissing. It's still in the write and rip apart stages. But I really love this story, so it haunts me.
Hidden Vale:fifteen-year-old Cori Anders has always heard voices no one else could. Her parents were killed in a car crash when she was five, forcing her and her younger brother Rian to live with their strict and cold grandmother. One night, an unfamiliar boy, Kokēm, shows up in her backyard. He can hear the voices too. Rian disappears. Kokēm introduces Cori into a world of shape-shifting spiders, secret councils, and the chance to become immortal. Cori just needs to defeat a giant winged serpent first. No problem, right? A promise sealed with a kiss from Kokēm makes the offer even more desirable. Cori's told that she can join the group after her task is complete. In return, they'll help her find Rian. Immortality with Kokēm at her side never looked so good. This novel is being completely rewritten and revised to change POV and tense. 
Crit Needed: All of the above except a query critique. I'm not ready for that yet. Especially needing some cheerleading and someone willing to bounce ideas off of. 
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing (not in the beginning, closer to submission to agents) to plot development. [This is pretty much it exactly! I want someone who has goals for a career in writing. Someone who knows what they want, but perhaps not exactly how to get it. Someone who will push me as hard as I'll push them.]
Contact: @annemariewrites = twitter / http://annemariewrites.livejournal.com = website / annemariewrites@gmail.com = email
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Name: AshAy
Genre: Supernatural Fiction
Current Project: I have a 60,000 word complete manuscript I'd like critique on. Here is the synopsis:
Lipsey Monroe can control water, but she won't admit it to anyone -- not even to herself. A high school Senior and talented competitive swimmer, Lipsey doesn't want to do or say anything that could change her self-described "perfect" life...until her boyfriend, Rick Keller, suddenly breaks her heart and leaves town.
Lipsey sees no other choice but to follow him, taking a job as a summer camp counselor in Rick's hometown of Cambell, Connecticut. She's there to win Rick back, but when another counselor, Penny, disappears, Lipsey realizes her problems are way bigger than her break up.
There are rumors swirling around Rick's hometown. Rumors involving a buried family past, annual murders, and a dark force called the Water Spirit, an invisible presence in the camp's lake the Keller family credits for their wealth.
Lipsey knows the only way to earn a second chance with Rick and to find Penny -- hopefully still alive, is to uncover the Keller’s secrets. As she finds the answers she seeks, Lipsey learns to not only accept what makes her different, but to embrace it. While harnessing her power over water, she realizes she might be the key to ending the murders, but will her newly-formed powers stand a chance against an ageless Water Spirit?
I also am currently working on a second novel about a 17 yr old who suddenly is able to hear her boyfriend's thoughts and realizes she's part of an extinct race of mindreaders who are obviously not extinct like she thought.
Crit Needed: A partial read/query crit/full read/chocolate/cheerleading/all of the above.
Looking For: A writer who's been doing this a while and knows how to tactfully give suggestions for changes. I'd like to partner with someone who has endured the query process and/or has been to a writer's conference or two. I need someone who's serious about their work and serious about improving their style and helping me improve mine.
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Name: Athena
Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Current Project: The Store, Shaylee has lived in a constant state of
fear since she was in 6th grade. She is now seventeen and it will
only be a matter of time before she is Taken. When teens turn
seventeen they are taken away away to go through a series of changes
including prettier faces, slimmer figures, and talents for set jobs.
They are then put into a human store to be chosen as spouses for those
that escape the Taking. Shaylee and her friends plan to put an end to
the stores.
Crit Needed: Full read/query crit
Looking For: I want someone that will be as tough as they can. I need
to know what works and what doesn't.
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Name: aubree
Genre: paranormal, kinda historical young adult stuff
Current project: i have one book i finished i'm trying to edit/ would love crit partner help on and am working on another one that is paranormal with elements of romance, royalty, kidnapping and possibly war. instead of going with the traditional vampire/ werewolf paranormal creature i have kind of created a new one.
Crit needed: someone who would read partial or full, i'd also love to read your stuff as well!
Looking for: someone who is very honest so i can make my project(s) the best they can be. if you wanted me too i will definitely read your stuff as well, and give you constructive feedback so we can all improve.
Contact: aubh612@yahoo.com is probably the best way to reach me
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Name: Aun-Juli
Genre: YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Current Projects: (Revision stage) Curio - YA novel about a girl whose connection to the unknown world around her leads to the secrets of her village which will unravel it and cause utter destruction. Oh, and there's a little love and a little magic. And some blood.
(First Draft) YA Urban fantasy about a sleepless girl who grows up in Hollywood fearing to fall asleep because she does not know what she will wake up to.
Crit Needed: First draft critique on Curio.
Looking For: I need a partner who can show me what isn't authentic, a person to point out the holes that I am overlooking. I need someone who understands the heart of a story and can nurture this, while still being ruthless with their critique. The end result is being a better writer but also a better storyteller--I need someone who can push me to this level. I also need someone who can smack me when my grammar sucks.

What I can offer: Honest critique of the great, the good, the okay, and the ugly. I will push my crit partner with positivity, but I will be honest.
Contact:E-mail: aunjuli@gmail.com
Twitter: aunjuli
If the crit partner wants to know more about me, they can check out my deviantART page:http://artisticaunjuli.deviantart.com
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Name: Ben
Genre: Speculative fiction
Current Project: IN MEMORY, urban fantasy about YAs with not-so-superpowers. Brian wants to keep his girlfriend. Leah wants to keep her sanity. They both want Esha to live. They can pick one.
Crit Needed: Full read to help with pacing, foreshadowing, and character development
Looking For: Someone who will tell me everything that doesn't work for them as a reader. Suggestions on how to fix it are optional.
Contact: rejects@Q.com
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Name: Beth
Genre: YA
Current Project: YA paranormal
Crit needed:  partial read to let me know if I'm wasting my time?
Looking For: brutal honesty, excellent grammar, show vs. Tell experience because I think that's where I struggle
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Name: Brenda
Genre: YA Contemporary
Current Project: Have "completed" MS which is YA contemporary about love, loss, meaning of family, self-discovery. It's a romance for sure geared toward upper YA. Also just starting another contemporary YA that (I think) will be much more issues-based with race and class as a central theme. No magic or flying, although I like to read paranormal and wouldn't mind critting it.
Crit Needed: For the completed MS, most critical crit possible. I've had a bunch of betas who have been great, but now in it's "final" form, I need to make sure it really works. In an ongoing CP (with possible first draft material), more plot/character development advice.
Looking For: Someone who's brutal. Truly. I really want to know if what I'm writing is crap, where you start to skim and why, what you love as well as what you loathe...and as much of the latter as possible.
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Name: Brittany Howard
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Current Project: Two projects. To Suffer Sleep-- a dark, paranormal, new-adult novel in which we meet Colt-- a young adult plagued by nightmares featuring a beautiful, but terrifying woman. Nightmare meets reality when Colt's new job brings him face to face with that same woman in real life. And the other... The Compound-- Cassie accepts a dare to break onto a religious compound. When she gets caught, but set free, she finds herself caught up in a unwanted relationship with the prophet's son.
Crit needed: Occasionally chapter critiques/plotting critiques
Looking for: Someone who can give me feedback as I go along. I've got a pretty full work schedule, so I'm not writing as quickly as I would like, so it shouldn't be a whole lot of work. Currently, I'm just looking for someone to bounce ideas off of, but I'd like a lasting critique relationship that will eventually develop into more of an editing focused relationship.
Contact: brittany.d.howard@gmail.com/Twitter: brittanydhoward
For both of our sanities, please keep in mind that I have an extremely busy schedule, so my best fit isn't someone who is very prolific. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up.
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Name: Charlene
Genre: Young Adult with a spiritual twist
Current Project: I have a completed/edited 370 page YA novel about a girl who finds herself having repeated out-of-body experiences as an eagle witnessing murder. She also falls in love, makes quirky friends and realizes she’s part of an ancient spiritual foursome—The Transcenders.
Crit Needed: I’m looking for a partner(s) who will be honest, ruthless, and has/have experience reading/editing YA to help me make this book the best it can be.
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Name: Chelsey Blair
Genre: YA contemp
Current Project: YA Contemp. Seventeen-year-old Meridian longs for Paris, for New York, for the cities where she could play guitar on the street without people thinking she was a freak. Unfortunately, she's promised to stay in suburban Fernsgrove Massachusetts until her cousin Natalie learns to walk again. She works to perfect her music, and keep Natalie safe from judgmental outsiders. When things go wrong at one of her gigs, she begins to wonder if she's the one Natalie needs protecting from. 
Crit Needed: Someone willing to look at the whole manuscript and find places where it doesn't work. I get individual chapter critiques from my workshopping group, but I need someone to look at it in its entirety beforeI can move forward. 
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. Actually, all this is true for me. I also want someone who is willing to be a writing buddy and friend. I'm new to the online YA world and would like an ally! 
Contact: chelseyblair (at) gmail )
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Name: Cheryl Carvajal
Genre: YA fiction (paranormal/fantasy), Plays, Children's books
Current Project: A modern-day Noah's ark story set in Oklahoma. Also working on picture book challenge for February--goofy books with vegetables as main characters, with a kid-friendly recipe at the end of each one.
Crit Needed: Full manuscript(s), since I have several projects.
Looking For: I'm quoting from your example: "A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky." Detail-oriented is what is most needed, for I'm a Pisces (even according to the new system), and I get easily distracted, closing a door in a scene twice or neglecting important information.
Contact: shakespeare824@hotmail.com; no phone yet, since I'm in the middle of a move, but e-mail's my favorite way to communicate anyway.
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Name: Christina
Genre: Fantasy
Current Project: The Cloud City, about Lily, an eighteen year old girl who learns about life, death, and love as she transforms into a half-phoenix and discovers her new world in the Cloud City through Phoenician mythology.
Crit Needed: A full read/lifelong love... maybe query crit afterwards. 
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. (Or the exact opposite, if you are looking for someone more PC.)

[Can I just keep exactly what you wrote as an example?  'Cause lots of people have read my novel and said that it's fantastic/they can't wait for it to be out on shelves/etc. but none of them gives me real advice on how to improve it.  And I definitely need to improve it.]
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Name: Christina
Genre: Paranormal 
Current Project: Just finished a siren story that has a couple partial requests by agents, but I'm starting a dystopian story now. I haven't started too much of it though, I'm hoping to find someone who might have something for me to crit while I'm working on new WIP and if they want to read the siren story to get a feel for my writing but don't have to.
Crit Needed: either partials as works are written or fulls. I could do either. 
Looking For: someone who is interested in working long term together if we both feel we mesh well, so livelong love ;p  Also, someone able to point out plot holes and messes like that for me :)
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Name: Christopher Ledbetter
Genre: Historical Fantasy (so far)
Current Project: 1) Am querying Caenus And The Quiver Of Artemis about a prince in ancient Greece who struggles beneath the weight of his father's expectations. 2) Am writing a yet untitled piece which modernizes the Titanomachy in Hesiod's Theogony where Zeus and the Olympians defeat the Titans.
Crit Needed: for 1) query crit, partial reads, cheerleading *smiles* For 2) partial reads
Looking For: *copied straight from Natalie's blog*--A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. 
Contact: cs_ledbetter@yahoo.com blog: http://caenus.blogspot.com twitter: @Chris_Ledbetter
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Name: Dana Elmendorf
Genre: paranormal romance
Current Project: Not another angel story, I know, but it just happened that way so I went with it. It’s more about, what if angels had children… So here is my two sentence synopsis (needs work): Naomi spent her teenage days zapping creatures who skimmed past hell’s Rim and she didn't need the help of a guilt driven crusader boy like Bayle, no matter how smoldering. Of course, there was the sticky situation of the Rim Seeker who wanted to harvest her soul.
Crit Needed: A full or partial read – We can exchange a few pages and see if it’s something that works for both.
Looking For:  Natalie’s suggestion for what I want is perfect: 1. take me to the next level.  2.  I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. 3. brutally honest (but not condescending) 3. I need: Line edits, plot development, character strength (Everybody has their strengths, what’s yours?)
Contact: Email girlw1eye@gmail.com / Website www.danaelmendorf.com /Twitter
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Name: Dawn Embers
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-fi for the most part
Crit Needed: all the above
Current Project: (YA) Tattle Tell - A young mutant teen struggles with being different, trying to have friends and having to tattle to a government agency.
More to come soon.
Looking for: Someone who will look at the big picture. Some grammar/spelling is fine but I'd love someone who would talk more about character, what works in plot and what doesn't. Not sugar coating the opinions but not mean either (seems obvious but had problems before). They have to be okay with gay/lesbian/bi/transgender main characters because Tattle Tell doesn't have sexual orientation involved but the sequel will and my other novels do.
Twitter - DawnEmbers
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Name: Devin Bond
Genre: YA Romance Fantasy
Current Project: CHAINED, Axel finally reunites with his mum and brother only to find out his brother is the evil reincarnation of Fenrir--the creature he and his father have been searching for. While waiting for the opportune time to take his brother out, he falls in love with the neighbor girl. His feelings for her begin to chip away at his resolve to capture his brother.
Crit Needed: A partial / full read / query crit / cheerleading!
Looking For: I'm looking for a partner who is able to be completely honest. I want honest opinions and critiques of my manuscript so it can become better. I'd really love to have someone who is willing to pay attention to plot development and pacing. Line editing and being nit-picky would be good too. 
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Name: Donea Lee (as used on my blog)
Genre: Contemporary fantasy (for YA and Adult)
Current Project: I’m working on a YA and an adult contemporary fantasy novel right now.
Crit Needed: A full on my YA project, partial on my adult project.  Happy to go a few chapters at a time.
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. (but good, sound encouragement is always a plus!)
Contact: e-mail: donealw(at)aol(dot)com, or via my blog: http://www.itwillhappenoneday.blogspot.com
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Name: Erika
Genre: YA contemporary/urban fantasy/dystopian/other stuff!
Current Project: A YA Contemporary about a girl whose mom leaves, then starts sending her postcards from her new life Paris. And sisters, a girl obsessed with good luck, and cute boys with Irish accents :)
Crit Needed: A (very) partial read (I'm just starting my new wip). I'd really love to work with someone else who's also starting something new, and help them brainstorm ideas, or just motivate each other to keep going. And chocolate cake is always a plus.
Looking For: Like I said, I would love to work with someone who has trouble sticking to a project. Also, someone who can help me edit as I go, while paying attention to big picture things like plot (oh, that little thing).Sorry, I know I'm starting a new project, and I should probably wait till I finish something or at least get a first draft done before I go looking for crit partners, but this sounds so incredibly cool that I really wanted to be a part of it.
Contact: my email, mello_moon8me@hotmail.com
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Name: Frankenstein... Just kidding. It's Feliza.
Genre: Funny, High-Concept YA Stuff

Current Project: Untitled YA comedy about a Type-A teen who catapults back to 1990 and accidentally meets up with her teenage parents. Think "Back to the Future" meets "Prada and Prejudice" with a dash of John Hughes.
Crit Needed: Just a little bit of alpha reading/cheerleading, for now.

Looking For: An honest, discerning critter who loves comedic YA featuring snarky heroines. I'd love to work with someone who's willing to provide a candid critique, and who'd like the same from me. No line edits necessary. I just need a reader with good instincts, who's got an eye out for whether or not characters feel real and plots ring true (even if a story happens to be about time travel or a girl detective). And if you're a fan of Buffy, Veronica Mars, Wonderfalls, or My So-Called Life, I have a feeling we'll get along famously.

Contact: My email - feliza.d@gmail.com
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Name: Gina
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Romance
Current Project: Life Before Death, about Rebecca, a girl who must earn her entrance to Heaven by finding the soul mate of an attractive college girl.  Nothing about Rebecca's mission is easy, especially when she's convinced she's found "the one" - and falls for him herself.
Crit Needed: Query critique and full manuscript read
Looking For: A partner who can be honest without being terribly mean, who can find the weak spots and suggest ways to make them better.  Someone with a sense of humor and patience to read as many drafts as it takes to get it right!
Contact: E-mail: gina.ciocca@yahoo.com, Blog URL:
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Name: Gretchen 
Genre: magical/fairytale 
Current Project: Shadow Burned, a girl attends a new school only to find that everything she ever knew about fairytales is wrong.   As she delves deeper into this world she discovers things are not black and white, good and evil the world is shrouded in shades of grey.  
Crit Needed: A world builder helper, a grammar enthusiast, and someone who doesn't mind loads of coffee and adventures into grey areas.
Looking For: I need some one who will push me to be better.  Who will give me the truth--whatever it happens to be: gut reaction, thoughtful reflections, or gushing loveliness.  Someone who I can discuss things with, if I have thoughts about plot or characters--a person who can be a sort of sounding wall. 
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Name: Heidi
Genre: YA - Science Fiction, Contemporary and Historical Fiction
Current Project: A dystopian future, evil corporations, and a girl engineered by rebels to bring it all down
Crit Need: Full Reads
Looking For: Honest critiques with the goal of improving the work. Line edits, character arcs, pacing--I need it all, and I don't need it sugar coated. Eager to read your ms and offer same honesty and directness. I am interested in creating an online writing critique group with 4-5 people. No downers! I'm seeking positive critique partners who love writing and are not just focused on being published. People who are constantly learning, are eager to share ideas and don't look at critique partners as "competition". Looking to exchange full reads, but would prefer a few partials to get started. Someone willing to set deadlines for when critiques are returned. I prefer critique parters who have completed a novel or two, but this is not mandatory. If interested, please email and let me know what you are searching for in a critique partner and a little about yourself/your writing. Thanks!
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Name: Janine
Genre: Steampunk YA (mostly. I dabble in all YA)
Current Project: A steampunk-ish variation (loose variation. Okay, maybe just inspired by) the Firebird folktale. Its got a strong romantic arc, two POVs, and a quest. And magic. And technology. And a sea monster. 
Crit Needed: partial-to-full. 
Looking For: Right now my current project is still pretty rough. So I don't need someone who will scream at me about commas, but I do need to know if I'm moving in the right direction. Not too harsh, but truthful.
Contact: @janiclay on twitter. janinesclayson.blogspot.com
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Name: Jasmine, though I go by Snazel also
Genre: YA SF, though I'm starting to write Fantasy too. I just have a bit of obsessive/mechanical mind, so I need to know how it all WORKS. I needed to work out a magic system, but now that I'm getting a feel for it the story keeps invading my mind and popping out at odd times.
Current Project: I have a bunch. Right now I'm working on the first draft of The Absence of Memory, which is SF in space focusing on three groups of teens; one which has lost their memories and family, one which has recently figured out they have paranormal skills and the government REALLY wants to employ them, and one which is trying to avoid being killed to clear the way for a coup. I also have Karma Police up for a first revision.It's supposed to be about five teens who are recruited by a super secret world-spanning organization, travel to a steampunk world and then find out (a little too late,) that they're working for the bad guys. Though right now it's mostly a mess. And then ALSO up for a first revision, because I am bad at choosing anything, is Expendables. SF, (shocker, I know) set in space, about teen employees/possessions of a "benevolent" government. They're sent on a "rescue mission" that's supposed to fail. Only they're a little (a lot) more competent than the planners of this mission bargained for.
Crit Needed: A partial read/full read/lifelong love/chocolate cake/cheerleading/all of the above.
Looking For: A partner that can ease me into revisions. I've never learned how to edit, but I want to get better. I'd like to be able to say that I want someone who's brutally honest, but right now my writing is too close to my heart for me to be able to say that and survive it. If I'm only told what's wrong with the story, I end up reading it as what's wrong with me, and then I melt down. I need heavy doses of "I liked this, but I think this is getting in the way of that," to be able to focus on anything. And I understand if no one wants to take on critting me, with that admitted. It's kind of a long shot that I'm putting this up here. :P
Contact: jasmine.medusa@gmail.com is my email, and my twitter is http://twitter.com/#!/snazel
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Name: Jayme
Genre: YA Variety
Current Project: The Cobalt Hat is about Tristan who is chosen as the next leader of Milrona, a position he doesn’t much care for or desire. During his training as leader, he begins to discover strange truths about his town. With his best friend, Valeria, threatening to leave town forever, Tristan has to decide: Is Milroy the Misguided Marmoset friend or foe, fluffy or evil? [This project is dystopian, though this is not the only genre I write.]
Crit Needed: Full read; query critique
Looking For: A partner who is honest, realistic, and not afraid to hurt my feelings. I’d rather hear the criticism now than wait for it down the line from potential agents. I’m looking for someone who can spot holes in character and plot development. I need someone outside my own head to give an analysis of my work. Overall, I’m looking for a partner that forces me to consider viewpoints outside my own and create better communication with readers. I’m also interested in someone who could critique a query letter in the not so distant future.
***
Name: Jeigh
Genre: YA Fantasy with smooching!
Current Project: The Songwriter, about a girl whose exceptional musical talent takes a turn for the weird when she starts tasting, smelling, seeing, and feeling music.  Even weirder is the moment her best friend and her crush morph into fiery phoenixes and fight over her.  Turns out she's the key to ending their good vs. evil fight once and for all. (First draft finished but working through some major revisions.)
Crit needed: Chapter by chapter super-critique with brownies and everlasting friendship.
Looking for: Nit-picky.  Plot holes, pacing, character development, general cheesiness-quashing.  I can take a tough critique, as long as it's not about my mama.
***
Name: Jennifer Baum
Genre: sci-fi/new age young adult novel
Current Project: TRANSCEND: After helping his father with an experimental brain scanner, teenage hipster Elliott Sloan accidentally triggers the part of his brain that stores past life memory. While coming to terms with his “New Age” problem, he realizes that his girlfriend was very much a part of his previous life, too. He desperately wants her to remember, but convincing her might mean losing her for good.
Crit Needed: Someone willing to read part or all of it and help me identify what still needs help.
Looking For: Someone to help me understand how to make the first 30 pages a little better. Is it too slow? Is there not enough tension in the beginning? I'm more interested in high-level advice and ideas than line editing.
***
Name:  Jennifer
Genre: Fantasy

Current Project: A fey girl accidentally becomes Queen of an entire kingdom and must complete tasks set by the gods in order to claim her crown. Of course she has an evil Aunt who doesn't want her to succeed, and an older sister who can be bossy.  Oh and she thinks she likes her best friend--like really likes him.

Crit Needed: It would be nice to have an extra set of eyes on this thing.  I am looking for someone willing to exchange a few chapters at a time and give honest criticism. 

Looking For: I need someone who is familiar with Fantasy.  My last crit partner did not read Fantasy, and as a result we were not a good fit for one another.  I need someone who understands the genre and who can critique world building.  I don't mind brutally honest people, as long as they don't mind if I don't take every piece of advice they offer :)

Contact:  Email: jenniferwelbornwrites@gmail.com  Twitter: @wordsmithJenn website: www.jenniferwelbornwrites.com
***
Name: Jessica Pages
Genre: Paranormal- romance,mystery,adventure,and a little historical fiction thrown in there too.
Current Project: About a girl who spends the summer in the English Country side not knowing a 100 year old curse has been waiting for her to return. It's up to her and the friends she meets to finally put a stop to it.
Crit Needed: A partial read/lifelong love/cheerleading/all of the above.
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I want someone who will be honest and who loves to read and write. I want someone to push me and help me grow as a writer and reader. 
***
Name: Jordyn
Genre: Contemporary YA
Current Project: I have two (sort of). THE SISTER STORY is a contemporary YA told through the first-person narration of two sisters whose parents are heading toward an inevitable divorce. The older sister is dealing with ex-boyfriends (and possible love?)  while the younger sister's dealing with an unhealthy friendship and self-image problems. I'm currently trying to rewrite this one.
THE SPY STORY is another contemporary YA about a teen girl at an elite and top-secret spy school whose best friend disappeared years earlier and she's now trying to unravel the mystery of what happened to her, realizing that she may have been kidnapped by the spy society's bad-guy rivals. This one is a total mess and I'll soon (hopefully) be leaping back into rewriting/editing it. And figuring out WTH the plot is.
Crit Needed: Partial read, full read, honesty, etc. See below.
Looking For: I'd love to find a crit partner willing to do partial reads of scenes/chapters that need help, as well as possibly/probably a full-on beta reading in the future. Line edits aren't a big deal to me; I'd much rather have someone who can give me critiques related to plot development and overall writing. I want somebody nice, but honest. (Yes, you can be both!) Part editor, part cheerleader? Ideally someone who would want to read other contemp. YA that I write.
Contact: email: amperstory@gmail.com
twitter: @jordynface
I also use Skype but would rather not give that username publicly.
***
Name: Julia Muldoon (PiscesMuse on blog and twitter)
Genre: YA contemporary and YA fantasy, fun books with a little angst.
Current Project: The Project of AWESOME... title still a work in process.  Teenage girl and family are relocated from Toronto to Newfoundland.  She thinks her parents are ruining her life.  The process reconects them as a family as they open a B&B.  She's got the narative personality of the Princess Diaries big city thinker, tossed into a small town with harsh winters.  Their is also a boy interest and he's in a band.  
Crit Needed: Cheerleader for the writing process/critiquer for onec it's done/query letter goer throer once all of my ducks are in a row. 
Looking For: During the writing process I need someone to cheer me on and tell me I'm awesome and to help me get through to the end (because I am brutaly scared of endings).  But afterwards I need someone to come in and tell me how to make it better.  Not that this is crap, but places to improve it and make it shine. I respond best to positive feedback, so if you can crouch the this sucks, with a this is how you can make it even better, then you and me are meant for each other.  I am also looking for someone who can help push character arcs that make sense along side plot developement.  I also really need someone who is nit picky on the line edits. 
***
Name:  Julie M
Genre:  still figuring that out, but I do lean more towards fantasy than plain contemporary.  and I like adventures!
Likes:  being outside, reading, Jesus;  adventures and food and lightheartedness in dire situations, both in life and in fiction.
Dislikes: gratuitous kissing for kissing's sake (in fiction).  Color me weird, I know.
Current Project:  A very longwinded adventure about a brother and sister trying to make sense of a dying kingdom and its sinister undercurrents.  Also, a short story (or possible series of stories) about a kid named Thomas who saves his classmates from a giant spider.  Well, most of them.
Crit Needed:  All of it.  I'm so green, I don't even exactly know what all the little things are.  But mostly I need a friend to share the process with.  Like all good relationships, lets get to know each other a little before our fangs come out.  :)
Looking For:  Honesty, but also an understanding/appreciation for fantastical or far-fetched ideas.  I've been burned before. (I know, boo-hoo, I'll get over it.)  A good, over-all eye for development, plot, language, and all the little details I know I'll miss.  And, once I gain a little more confidence, brutality.
***
Name: Kaitlin (KT for short)
Genre: Fantasy
Current Project: Finished novel in revisions - About a 17 year old girl named Lanani, gifted with the possession of magic since she was born. Unfortunately, for the past 1000 years, magic has been outlawed in her country. When her own people make an attempt on her life, she runs away and stumbles across a group of people who believe in the revival of magic. 
Crit Needed: Full read + critique/Future query crit/cheerleader and overall awesome
Looking For: An honest critique and trustworthy partner (in crime :D).
Contact: Twitter - @thatwritergirl7
***
Name: Kat
Genre: Weird/dark YA and adult steampunk

Current Project: The Science of Raising the Dead (YA). Ruby likes corpses better than the living. Luckily for her, Revolution city is full of corpses and not all of them are dead. But when the reanimated corpses turn out to be more than they seem, it forces her to question just how far she'll go to achieve her dreams of becoming the city's first female scientist. Matters are complicated by a serial killer who believes severed limbs are the way to a girl's heart. It's Frankenstein meets Dr Who in a dystopian city much like Victorian London.

Crit Needed: Someone to bounce ideas off/swap reads/get book into less lame state

Looking For: Someone who gets weird but can tell me when I've gone too far…Must find severed arms amusing, love Steampunk, and be able to stomach a book that takes place mainly in the sewers (I'm not holding out much hope for finding any takers!). I'm serious about being published and am looking for someone else at a similar stage who can handle/give brutal criticism and occasional encouragement. Would love to find someone whose writing I really love and vice versa. Not big on para romance as my heart is as black and shrivelled as my books would suggest but anything else goes.

Contact: Kat(at)ilovebacteria(dot)com
***
Name: Kate
Genre: Contemporary YA
Current Project: A dyslexic fifteen-year old navigates through high school, learning to excel in life through the aid of her friends and some unusual coping skills even if she still hasn't figured out how to read.
Crit Needed: Full and partial reads, query help, on-going partner in crime.
Looking For: Like my stories MC, I am also dyslexic--so my spelling seriously sucks! I need a good copy editor, but also want someone I can talk to about big picture ideas. I'd be happy to crit other peoples work too, but will be no help when it comes to line edits. So who ever I'm matched up with should probably already know how to spell.
***
Name: Karen
Genre: YA 
Current Project: completed: a YA *light* Sci-Fi about a time-traveler who discovers her future self has been tampering with the past. WIP: a modern day retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca set in a posh high school (romantic suspense).
Crit Needed: completed: beta readers always welcome. :)  WIP: chapter swaps once I'm done with the draft and have had a chance to polish it up a bit.
Looking For: What you said--> (I've been a member of an in-person crit group that's taking a break for awhile, so I have thick skin and can handle the tough critiques.) A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development.
***
Name: Katherine
Genre: urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Current Project: Sixteen-year-old Emma thought being a late bloomer was bad, but finally getting her period three months ago was the worst thing to ever happen to her. Since then she keeps transforming into a cougar.  And not the old lady who’s into 20-something guys type, the big furry kind with pointy teeth and a hankering for raw meat. Emma lives in the suburbs of Chicago, not exactly an ideal place to hide.
While running away, Emma meets nineteen-year-old Chris. After losing control and shifting in front of him, half-fey Chris is able to give her something she has been searching for: answers. Emma is blood-cursed, a human who has inherited a fey curse that turns them into an animal. When Delaine, a scary faerie from Chris’s past, shows up, he comes with a terrifying ability. Powerful faeries can twist the blood-curse, stealing Emma’s freewill and making her their slave.
Now Emma is running for her life, Delaine and his menagerie on her tail. Emma is injured and alone in the forests of Colorado when a family of young, blood-cursed werewolves find her. They help Emma recover and vow to keep her safe. But Delaine isn’t giving up, he will find her. Can Emma protect those who have risked themselves for her or will they all end up as Delaine’s newest playthings?
Crit Needed: a partial on what I've written so far to make sure it's working, but I usually swap completed drafts (I would be willing start swapping chapter by chapter if I find a crit partner I like who prefers to work that way).
Looking For: Someone who is not afraid to hurt my feelings. I have a tough skin, if it's utter rubbish and needs to be thrown out so I can start from scratch, that's what I want to hear. I can take any critique you make, I promise. What I need most right now is someone who can work on the macro level. Broad strokes: plot, characterization, world building. But if you can do that and line edit on the micro level, I will love you forever and keep you in supply of delicious baked goods. Probably the most important thing I'm looking for is a lasting exchange. Someone I can swap the manuscript with several times. Once after I clean up the first draft, so they can help me find the big things, and then again after edits so they can help me tweak the small things.
Contact: katherine(at)katherinehazen(dot)com
***
Name: Kathy
Genre: YA fantasy and contemporary
Current Project: A YA fantasy novel. A girl puts on her grandmother's ring and gets transported to another world. She finds out that the ring gives her magical powers and that she has to use these powers to help save the country she finds herself in. She has to do all this with the help of a brooding guy who won't tell her how to get home unless she helps him.
Crit Needed: Full crit.
Looking For: A longterm crit partner. I am looking for someone who can help bring my writing to the next level. I have no problem with brutal honesty. In fact, I welcome it. I want someone who can tell what the problems are no matter what. Someone who can do anything from full line edits to plot/character development.
Contact: Email or facebook.
***
Name: Kendra
Genre: Weird YA Stuff pretty much sums it up, yeah :D Sometimes fantasy, sometimes sci-fi, but lately I'm on a real dystopian, post-apocalyptical kick. Can't get enough of it.
Current Project: A couple of started and sketched out stories, one of them is a shoot-em-up movie turned into a silly shoot-em-up book, and the other is about a dystopian civil war story, with steampunkian elements.
Crit Needed: "A partial read/query crit/full read/lifelong love/chocolate cake/cheerleading/all of the above." Can I leave that in there? That's pretty much what I want too!
Looking For: Someone who will beat my horrible HORRIBLE writing into shape! Someone not afraid to say what they think, even if it's HARSH. Someone who will help me be THE BEST I CAN BE.
***
Name: Kirk Kraft
Genre: Fantasy

Current Project: I actually have two; one is completed 80,000 manuscript with 16-year-old female lead (who is a princess, by the way). Her life takes a shocking turn one week before her wedding.  My second project is currently at 65,000 words with a 17-yo male lead who learns about a long lost brother who just may be a dragon. But that’s not the worst of his problems.

Crit needed: A full read with comments

Looking for: a partner who can give it to me straight, challenging me to write a better manuscript. I’d like someone who can critique across the spectrum including characterization, story flow, and plot where needed. Willing to provide the same. I feel like the right partner will help me take a huge step in my storytelling and prepare me to query.

Twitter: KAKraft
***
Name: ktc
Genre: YA dystopian, contemporary
Current Project: A dystopian about a boy and a girl. I know this is vague, but I'd rather not give super-specific details about this manuscript unless we're going to work together.
Crit Needed: I actually need a beta for the sequel, which I'm working on now. It will be a while before the draft is finished, but you're also welcome to read the first book and let me know what you think. I am of course very happy to swap (that's why I'm here!). Note: I do have an agent for this novel and she will be submitting it to editors very soon.
Looking For: A tough, brutally honest crit who has a special talent for plot development (because my skills are sorely lacking in that area). I don't want line edits or nit-picky-ness. However, if something sucks, I want you to tell me. I take criticism extremely well, unless I disagree with you, in which case we can fight about it. ;)
***
Name: Laura Fey
Genre: Mostly YA stuff - sometimes contemporary, sometimes fantasy
Current Project: I have two. 1) There's this 17 year old girl who basically was part of a human experiment since the day she was born. She escaped and now lives with this dude from college. She's the perfect assasin. To keep a low profile she has to go to High School and that is pure torture for someone who takes in every detail of a battlefield. 2) High School Drama. Still figuring out a lot of the plot but basically there's daddy's little princess, the Billy Idol Druggie with the dead mother, the best friend who's parents are divorcing and that dude from science class.
Crit Needed: Basically "all of the above" - I need someone who can talk sugar to me and at the same time is able to punch me in the guts with his/her critique.
Looking For: Uhm... like I said soft and hard at the same time. And yep, someone who can walk with me through the whole process and someone I can walk through the whole process with. Talking characters, plot, writing and revising and all that jazz. Oh and someone who understands sarcasm and humor. That's UTTERLY important. 
Contact: dancing_drama [at] yahoo [dot] com
***
Name: Lauren 
Genre: Contemporary Realistic YA, love smart, funny, sharp romances (Megan McCafferty is a hero). Maybe some fantasy-style contemporary (think Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver)
Current Project: Just turned in my contemp YA rom com, Meant to Be, to my editor at Random House, about to start a new contemporary YA about roller derby!
Crit Needed: Revisions on my Meant to Be, early crit on my new stuff, someone to bounce ideas off of
Looking For: Someone to be a buddy, cheerleader, but also tough love! I'm good with dialogue and physical comedy, but can sometimes struggle with painting a full picture in descriptions.
Contact: lmorrillragusea@gmail.com / http://laurenmorrill.com / @laurenemorrill
***
Name: Leigh
Genre: Quirky Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Current Project: Mother Earth. Sef finds out  she is really an alien princess. With a warlord on his way to destroy the earth, she must give up her normal Key West life for a spaceship and the chance to save the planet.
Crit Needed: Full read/support/cheerleading/long walks on the beach/piña coladas... 
Looking For: I have amazing pre-readers, but I'd like to find someone honest and tough who gets me and wants to be a long-term crit partner. I'd like the opportunity to help as much as I'm being helped. 
Contact: leighmm@gmail.com, http://writingleigh.blogspot.com, @writingleigh on twitter
***
Name: Linda
Genre: Contemporary and Paranormal Romance

Current Project: I have two projects that I’m revising/rewriting. The first is a YA paranormal romance about a 16 year old girl who discovers that she is destined to become a grim reaper. The second is a YA contemp romance about a 17 year old girl who finds a way to play baseball in a summer league without her father’s knowledge.

Crit Needed: Partial reads. I’d like to find someone I can connect with for a long term crit partnership.

Looking for: Honesty. I feel like I’m almost there, and I need someone who can “take me to the next level”, to quote your blog. J Like I already stated, I’m looking for someone long term to work with.

***
Name: Lindsay
Genre: YA (UF/paranormal)
Current Project: A currently untitled YA stand alone novel about a teen girl who works with her aunts at their family funeral home, is an outcast in a small town, and begins to notice strange markings on the bodies that come into the funeral home around the same time that a group of tourists come to town and rent out the aunts' guest house. This could turn into a series of books, maybe two or three, but at the moment it's a stand alone. It's also mostly a vague idea with only a page actually written but I've got some outlining and plotting done.
Crit Needed: Once written, a full read and critique and line edit and everything. Right now, support and cheerleading and prompting and spitballing plot ideas and poking me so I actually write something and not waste time stalking people on Twitter. ;)
Looking For: Someone who's also just starting a new novel project so we can work back and forth, help each other. Plotting out scenes when we get stuck, sharing music to write to, online word wars, short story prompts to at least get some writing done. I can be a huge slacker some days, most days, so I'd like to find someone who'll totally guilt me into writing and not reading so much or watching random stuff on TV or online. And I'll do the same, too, if someone else needs a fire lit under their butt. It's only fair. So, like, someone to lean on and who'll lean on me. I can be a total dork/nerd/goofball/goober/insert word here, so I'm not all strict and stuff and have lots of fun writing and plotting and outlining and coming up with twists and cliffhanger endings to chapters and other fun writing stuff.
Contact: Email (leroberts.26@gmail.com) or Twitter (@le_robertson)
***
Name: Lori
Genre: various YA: urban fantasy, dystopian fantasy
Current Project:  A story about a boy who accidentally creates a person and all the misadventures and secrets that follow.
Crit Needed: A full read, a query/synopsis crit, a potential friend!
Looking For: (copied from the example =P) A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development.
Contact: leemai82 (at) gmail (dot) com
***
Name: Mallory
Genre: Weird YA stuff
Current Project: Martyr, about a girl who is chosen to be a martyr which means she's destined to die for other people. Evil people are trying to stop her before she can save other people so she is assigned a bodyguard who is a hot boy. (I feel the need to specify that it's not religious)
Crit Needed: I'm stealing from Natalie----> A partial read/ query crit/full read/lifelong love/chocolate cake/cheerleader/ all of the above please!
Looking For: Someone who can be critical but respectful. I want to hear what doesn't work but it is also nice to hear about the things that do work. I want someone that can stay with me through the long haul and take my work to the next level.
Contact: Twitter- livinonaprairie- Let's see how we get along!!
***
Name: Melanie
Genre: Young Adult
Current Project: Damaged Goods - Missy Clarke is a seventeen year old who's ready to leave her small town and venture out into the world of endless possibilities. Though she was a good girl, Missy's childhood was wrought with difficulties stemming from her mother's abuse of alcohol and revolving door of men. Her only serenity came in the form of her best friend, Damon. At least, he was her serenity until she witnessed his deadly fall from the McCulley Bridge.
Now, toting all of her memories in the suitcase at her feet, she heads to Las Vegas. But she soon realizes life away from home is scary and hard for a girl without money, family or friends, and nowhere to live. Missy is quickly pulled into the scandalous world of teenage prostitution when she meets up with a 'family' of other homeless teens struggling to survive.
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better.I am very new to writing at this level. This is my second novel and I want more than anything to be represented and published.. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development.
Contact: melanie_1922@yahoo.com / Twitter: melanie_1922
***
Name: Mindee
Genre: Urban Fantasy, or any other speculative fiction, including horror and SF.
Current Project: Nightmare (Untitled) "Veronica Mars meets Hex Hall." Pitch:
It's not easy being a Nightmare. Breaking into people's houses, sitting on
stranger's chests and walking through their dreams. But for sixteen-year-old
Dusty Everhart, not easy just became shoot me now. When her latest dream-subject
turns out to be Eli Booker, her former crush, all she can think about is getting
the job over quick. But fate has other plans. Eli is dreaming about a murder
that soon comes true. Now she and Eli must walk his dreams together to try and
stop the killer before he strikes again. (Yeah, totally needs, work I know).
Crit needed: Full manuscript soon. I'm ready to critique now.
Looking For: a long term partner. I want someone will focus on the big picture
issues as well as the little stuff. Tough crits are fine as long as they point
out good things, too. Need a cheerleader and a critic, somebody willing to look
at queries and synopsis, too.
***
Name: Molly
Genre: Contemporary YA.
Current Project: MARCH, about a girl whose life changes over the course of a month. Her dad loses his job, her sister moves home from college, her best guy friend gets a girlfriend, and her best friend reveals a hurtful secret.
Crit Needed: Cheerleading, eventual reader, spazzy email sender/receiver.
Looking For: Someone in this for the long run. I don't have a complete (let me rephrase) POLISHED MS ready to send. I'm still working on it, and would love someone to give feedback when the time comes. Also, if possible I'd like to connect with someone who focuses primarily on contemporary fiction instead of fantasy, but it's not a rule or anything... Think sprinkles on the icing of a cupcake. :)
Contact: Theknittingnerd@gmail.com Twitter: Theknittingnerd
***
Name: Natasha
Genre: Different types of fantasy, maybe some science fiction (dystopian)
Current Project: Kin, a Japanese young adult fantasy novel. It is set up in its own world inspired by the Japanese culture about is about a girl named Kin whose sister is from the moon. When it is time for her sister to return, she goes off to the highest mountain to ask the moon to let her sister stay. 
Crit Needed: A partial read/query crit/full read/lifelong love/chocolate cake/cheerleading/all of the above (too good not to copy)
Looking For: I want someone that will help make my novels as strong as possible since my goal is to become published somewhere down the road. Maybe someone that can help push some of the action (plot) along, as well as line editing.
Contact: nheck@natashamheck.com, http://www.natashamheck.com has all the links to my blog, Twitter, and Goodreads.
***
Name: Nikelle Dawn
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Romance
Current Project: Night Beauty. Basically it's a girl that can turn into a shadow who finds herself in a world of ExtraOrdinary people.
Crit Needed: ?
Looking For: I'd like a partner who will make suggestions and point out my mistakes, but won't tear down my final decision. I'm not too worried about grammatical errors; I'd rather focus on plot holes, character development, etc.  I want someone who will push me to write more frequently and to get in the habit.
***
Name: Phil (or NotACat if there's too many Phil's...which happens more often than you might think)
Genre: Urban Fantasy (probably, similar deal to the above ;-)
Current Project: Two, both of which have gone somewhat off the boil.
The major one is about a family of shape-shifting dragons who live under a public library (although that's a bit of a spoiler...I have a reveal in the first chapter which depends upon the reader not knowing that, so...yeah, bummer) who need to learn how to fight eldritch abominations.
The other one is about a librarian (can you feel a theme developing here?) who saves the girl of his dreams from a mugging and discovers there's a reason why her eyes literally light up. She knows exactly why (and indeed why his do as well) which is why she needs a nice cup of tea and a sit down while she tells him.
Crit needed: I need someone to bounce my crazy ideas off, to rein me in when they get too wild and to provoke me if they're not quite wild enough.
Looking for: someone to encourage me out of my current block on progress, and to help me with the inevitable rewrite. I don't write very fast so they would either have to be incredibly patient or find some way of speeding me up. I'm kind of super nit-picky myself, so I probably need someone to push me through that "desperate need to
re-jig this sentence just one more time" and get on with the story. Oh, and someone who can tell me nicely when I'm not being "crazy", just "stupid".
Contact: email is probably best to start with. My work is stored on Google Docs right now, so someone who knows how to use that would be good.
***
Name: Rebecca
Genre: Fantasy
Current Project:  Unnamed right now.  A girl find her self stuck in the middle of a fight between two boys, both with weird scars.  But then she finds out that it's been a fight spanning over lifetimes. She needs to figure out who she can trust before it's too late for her.
Critic Needed: Partial/Full Read (in the middle of writing right now)
Looking for: A partner who will be able to help me making my manuscript better by helping me find flaws that need to be fixed.
***
Name: Remilda Graystone
Genre: Mostly fantasy, but sometimes other things.
Current Project: About a sixteen-year-old who has been chosen to fight in a millennium old war against spirits and jinn, but before any of that can happen, she must decide which side she's on. And basically, she decides whether the war will start or not. Oh, and if she doesn't choose the jinn's side, they'll kill all her loved ones. So, no biggie.
Crit Needed: Someone who can look over the story and let me know all of its problems, and someone who can help me pinpoint what the heck to put in my query because, darn it, those things are really difficult to write. Also, someone who enjoys moonlit strolls and caramel-less chocolates would be absolutely divine.
Looking for: Everything you listed, so I'll just paste it in here. A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. But, but, but! I'd also like someone who can take criticism. Like, seriously. Because people who ask for something then pout when they get it are people I don't work well with. So honesty is very, very important. From both sides.
***
Name: Rhiannon Paille
Genre: Fantasy /  Urban YA Stuff
Current Project: The Watcher and The Flame Series.
Surrender (Book 1) Pitch: In the beginning they were hunted, the flames were an ancient race known to every realm as the jewels of the universe. Each one a hand crafted work of art. They had a great purpose and unfathomable secrets. They were precious, but dangerous. When the wars ended, all knowledge of the flames was erased. They became so hidden that the very mention of them was forbidden. It was said long ago that one of the flames would fulfill a great prophecy, however, knowledge of the prophecy was lost when the flames were erased. Surrender is the beginning of this epic tale about a girl named Kaliel and a boy named Krishani who fall in love long before they know who they are and what destinies await them. This is the legend of The Watcher and The Flame.
Warrior (Book 2) Pitch: They were unnamed. The Watchers were chosen long before time and were known only as the harbingers of death. Where they walked, death followed. They took secrets to the grave, and carried the burdens of the living. When the Vultures came, twelve families were chosen, and the Watchers were born to fight against them. Trapped between the living and the dead, they became the nameless warriors. But all of that was about to change, because of the boy who refused to forget himself. Warrior is the continuation of this epic tale about a boy named Krishani, who cannot change what he is, but will fight until the foe is dead, and until he becomes faceless and nameless.  
Crit Needed: Query Crit / Polishng on Surrender / First Draft read on Warrior / Emotional Support / Partner in Crime 
Looking For: A partner that gets it, and is willing to help me make it better. Someone who writes awesome things that I can help improve. Someone who is hard working and positive, but levelheaded. Someone that is totally cool and has a lot of awesome ideas. Someone who can follow my method of madness. Someone who isn't afraid of a psychic reader (I prefer the term Metaphysical Therapist) Someone willing to go down the rabbit hole.
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Name: Salima
Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy
Current Project: Hallway of 1,000 Possibilities. A teenage girl with an abusive homelife has four distinct People who live in her head. When they disappear, she must go on an adventure to their respective kingdoms to restore them to power---thereby gaining psychological integration.
Crit Needed: A partial read/full read---depending. Am still revising and will need to see what's ready to send when we're ready to be "matched."
Looking For: (I'm totally stealing Natalie's blurb here, with one minor addition:) A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. Note: Please be wiling to receive the same. I'll be constructive AND honest, I promise.
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Name: Sarah
Genre: Fantasy YA
Current Projects: Beyond Blackmine, YA fantasy about two teens who don't know each other well even though they both attend Blackmine High School in Blackmine, Texas. They finally get to know each other when they get transported to a parallel world where magic exists.
Crit Needed: Full read through (about 75000 words)
Looking For: Someone who can see what I will miss, such as plot holes, confusing wording, info-dumping, overuse of words, etc. Someone who can be specific with criticism (and praise!) I'm more interested in revision/refining than actual editing. However, if you notice a typo, sure, tell me! Someone who can give constructive criticism.
***
Name: Schmidty
Genre: Sci-fi and Contemporary YA
Current Project: Currently have two projects. Mirrored Oasis, girl gets in over her head with school, revolution plots, government nitty gritty and apparently being the sole candidate for an oracle position a prophecy pegged her for (finished). Second project: I Watched the World End on a Wednesday, promising junior golfer gets injured via one
of her teammates, begins plotting revenge and haven't gotten much further than that (still currently writing).
Crit Needed: A partial or full read
Looking For: A partner who feels free to be honest, doesn't try to line edit or make up fake praise, and especially doesn't mind pointing out the flaws even if it's just something along the liens of this scene feels weird. I want it to be the best it can be and that means a tough cookie would be the best.
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Name: Seabrooke
Genre: YA fantasy
Current project: A YA modern fantasy about a girl who discovers herself a mage in a society where mages are persecuted by the government, feeling they're too dangerous to be allowed to roam free among other citizens. She and her horse are adopted into a group of underground mages, where she soon learns that the government might not be the only ones looking for her. Working title: The Opal Magestone. First in a three-book arc, but can also stand alone.
Crit needed: Full read on this project; general support/cheerleading along the way.
Looking for: Not too worried about the manuscript on a grammar/spelling level, but need someone to read the story and offer advice on plot and character development, as well as pointing out my bad habits stylistically that I as the author am too close to the project to see.
Can offer: The same.
Contact: canadianowlet -at- gmail.com
***
Name: Tanya Byrne
Genre: Contemp, psychological thriller
Current Project: Second draft of a novel about a seventeen year old girl who has to join the witness protection programme.
Crit Needed: Full read/lifelong love/tea and chocolate cake/cheerleading.
Looking For: A partner who will be honest and constructive and will make sure that I am writing the best book I can. I’m a relatively new writer and I don’t have a degree in creative writing or anything so I’ll be honest, I’m a little sensitive. That isn’t to say that I’m precious and think that everything I write is OMG. TOTES PERFECT. Quite the opposite, in fact, I’m more likely to think, OMG. I SUCK and cry. A lot. It’s a confidence thing and I am working on it, but I thought I should be honest because I really do want my partner to be honest with me, but it’s not what he/she says, but rather how he/she says it. I guess I need them to have a little compassion. I hope that makes sense. Ideally, I’d like to find a partner who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development, and I’m willing to do the same. I should also warn you that I’m a Brit so I use Us and Ss and I’m rather fond of commas for some reason!
Contact: tanyabyrne@gmail.com twitter: @ohthattanya
***
Name: Taryn
Genre: YA of all kinds
Current Projects:
Splashback: Top-ranked swimmer Lottie wants to give up the sport she now hates. Too bad making the Olympic team is the only way to bring back her missing sister.
Bibliophile: When someone murders Alexis's parents and frames her boyfriend, she and said boyfriend embark on a cross country chase to find the killer, but their plans hit a snag when the car they steal has a Gutenberg Bible inside. Now they're racing across the country, chased by the police, the GB's owner, and Benji's past.
Crit Needed: S needs minor line edits and query help. B needs cheerleading and a full read.
Looking For: I want someone who knows what they're doing and doesn't mind a long term relationship. I'd like more of a mentor than a partner (I'm a teen). Brutal honesty in parts is okay, so long at he/she knows tact.
***
Name: Tommy Vice
Genre: New Adult comedy (More adult than YA methinks)
Current Project: Badolescence (Novella)- "One young man's first foray into adulthood via sex, drugs and other occupations."  An 18 year old heartbroken nerdboy is forced to grow up and experience life in all its awkwardness, yet never expects the temptation that will bring it all to an untimely end...
Inspired by writers such as Jay McInerney, Luke Rhinehart / George Cockcroft, Chuck Palahniuk, Bret Easton Ellis, Charles Bukowski, Dr Hunter S. Thompson, and Tom Kapinos.  Also inspired by (and comparable to) multi-award winning British teen comedy/drama series' The Inbetweeners and Skins, and Kapinos' Golden Globe winning Californication (only way geekier.)
Crit needed: Partial / full read.
WLTM: Someone to treat me mean, give it to me straight up...  Someone especially tuned to pacing and structure if possible... Someone who isn't offended by scenes of an explicit nature, recreational substance abuse or the occasional 4-letter Anglo-Saxonism.
***
Name: Whitney
Genre: Fantasy

Current Project: After four years of learning the secrets of the King’s Assassins, Vesper Coel’s own secret is discovered.  Her escape takes her from one terror and into the arms of another.  Or so she thought, but her new captors defy their surrounding stigma and Vesper begins to trust them despite her misgivings.  And as though working out her loyalties wasn’t enough, a new element of her being emerges, demanding to be let free and becoming more insistent as time passes.

Crit Needed: Well, if the above is any indication, probably a synopsis/query crit!  But also, full read, plot critiquing, nit-picky grammatical wording, and other shenanigans.

Looking For: Someone honest, brutally is fine, I went through college creative writing classes.  Someone that can really pick out the details and where plot takes a turn for the worse and make suggestions to fix it.

***
Name: Wren Emerson
Genre: Paranormal YA/Adult Paranormal Romance
Current Project: Currently I'm working on a YA trilogy about a teenage girl who discovers that the secrets her mother and grandmother have been keeping from her include the fact that she's a witch who comes from a town where everyone has magical talents. The first draft of book 1 is done and I'm in the outlining stage of book 2 of the series and a separate adult paranormal romance about a ghost who's only contact with the living world is her ex husband who might have been the one who murdered her.
Crit Needed: I'm looking for as much feedback as possible. A full read with line edits would be ideal, but any advice would be appreciated.
Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. (Can I steal this as my answer? Seriously, this is my first attempt and I really want to learn from my mistakes and become a stronger writer for it.)
Contact: email: wrenemerson(at)gmail(dot)com
twitter: @wrenem

Additional Info: I've never critiqued before, so this would be a learning process for me. I'm not sure how helpful I'll be with grammar since I'm still brushing up on the rules in my own work, but I am willing to give 110% of my time and attention to my partner and will do everything I can to help them craft the best story possible.

9 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you posted this!

    I didn't post my contact info, so if what I wrote speaks to anybody, feel free to check out my blog.

    http://sarahjraines.blogspot.com

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  2. This great. Thanks for doing this Natalie.

    I also didn't post contact info, but if you'd like to get in touch with me, check out my blog.

    http://kathy-writingthroughlife.blogspot.com

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  3. I'm assuming that if I don't see my info here it's because you didn't receive my email? I sent it last Wed. to your email listed in the top right corner? Did I send it to the wrong place? Would it be okay if I post it in the comments?

    I'll still scan the list for possible partners. Thank you again for all your work in doing this.

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  4. Thanks for doing this, Natalie! You rock!

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  5. yeys :D Natalie rocks on with her socks on! x

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  6. THank you Natalie for finding mine and posting it. Muah! Very sweet of you to do that. THanks so much.

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  7. HA. Reading mine back, I sound completely neurotic. I'm not, btw! *twitches*

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  8. Dear Phil, who is NotACat, I would try to be your crit partner, but unfortunately you failed to leave any contact information. You did invite people to contact you via e-mail, but you did not leave an e-mail address. May I ask, how does one contact you?

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  9. @Rhiannon: since I submitted my details via information, I forgot to duplicate my email address >_<

    If you are still interested, I can be reached at phil(dot)boswell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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