Connecticut

CT - Berlin

Looking for picture book writers to start a critique group in or near Berlin, CT. This group is welcome to writers who are published or have a serious goal of becoming published. I would love to have rhyming picture book writers, but it is not a requirement. The group will meet once or twice a month. depending on what the group decides, at a time and place within 20 minutes of Berlin, CT. Contact: colleenomurphy@gmail.com

CT – Greenwich

Looking for Young Adult/Adult writers in Greenwich, CT. The group focus is staying productive and asking the right questions while providing meaningful feedback about a fellow writer’s work. Other manuscript formats - middle grade and picture book manuscripts - will be considered outside of the critique group space among writers and authors who fiddle around with multi-format work (I do!) and would like to exchange other works. The group will meet at the main Greenwich Library once per month. Please contact Kathryn Merrifield at kjmbny@gmail.com.

CT - Guilford/Shoreline Area

Once Upon a Shoreline Writer’s Group welcomes all and orally critiques any material (manuscript or portfolio) aimed at the children’s market. We draw from an area stretching from New Haven, CT east through Lyme and inland to Middletown and, in twenty-five years, our members have popped champagne corks 157 times for new contracts signed. The group currently meets at Guilford Community Center on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00-10:00pm. Contact Laura Jackson: laurajackson@vcfa.edu or lgjackson06443@gmail.com

CT – Killingworth

Author/Illustrator John Himmelman is coordinating a critique group for writers and/or illustrators – focusing on picture books through middle grade. You don’t have to be published to join! We will discuss market news, submission success and failures, and everyone will have the opportunity to read his or her stories for constructive, honest feedback. Visit http://www.johnhimmelman.com and click “Children’s Book Critique Group” for more information or email me at jhimmel@comcast.net.

CT - Manchester

The Manchester Children’s Writers Critique Group welcomes authors writing for children in any type of genre with the goal of publication. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9:00pm. Please contact D. Scott Stewart at the email address above with inquiries, including potential openings in the group and updates in meeting locations and times. Contact dsstewart@cox.net

CT - Waterford

A small critique group for picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels will be meeting at the Waterford Library monthly in Waterford, CT one weekday morning each month. Please respond only if you are writing in children's genre routinely or a published author looking to receive and give constructive criticism for manuscripts. Please contact Jakki Licareme at jakkilicare@gmail.com with interest.

CT - New Canaan
Hello Picture Book Writers of Lower Fairfield County! Jennifer Edwards is reviving the old picture book critique group that began at her house over ten years ago and then moved to Karen Jordan's but fizzled after she moved to California. Dust off your manuscripts and let's breathe life back into our great stories. Let's make our dreams come true. Contact Jennifer to get back on the monthly reminder. Meetings will be held in New Canaan, CT, right off the Merrit Parkway. We can adjust times and dates. Contact: j5tahoe@gmail.com

CT - South Windsor
We're forming a writer's critique group in South Windsor with a focus on Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. Meetings will be monthly on the second Wednesday in the evening at the South Windsor public library. Our primary goal will be to give and get feedback so we can help each other prepare our best work for potential publication. Please contact Jim Johnson at jimjceleb@aol.com to confirm meeting date and time. 

CT - Weston

The Weston Group is for MG/YA authors. We meet once a month on a Wednesday night. Contact Chris Friden at cfriden@optonline.net for more details.