OFFICIAL GUIDELINES
OF THE ROMANCE CRITTERS ON-LINE CRITIQUE GROUP
12-11-04
Thank you for
joining Critters. Before we begin, we require that you read the guidelines
below and agree to abide by them. Just a reminder, Critters is a PRIVATE forum for serious-minded romance writers who consistently
write and seek publication. With the
exception of our newest group specifically aimed at ChicLit
and Young Adult Fiction.
If you do not
write romance (ChicLit or Young Adult fiction), this
isn’t the place for you. We have individual critique groups, some working on
category series romance, some working on sci-fi or fantasy romance, some
working on single title romance, and some working on historical romance. But
the key here is that they are all ROMANCE.
When groups critiques, this is what we keep in mind.
DEFINITION of a romance
- The concentration of the book is on the hero
& heroine’s relationship.
- The book has a happily ever after ending.
Please note:
The definition of ChicLit and Young Adult are not
listed at this time.
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN CRITTERS
To begin the
process of joining:
- Read these Guidelines and agree to abide by them.
- Complete the Membership Form.
- Introducing yourself to the Rom-Critters main
list is a very important step in getting to know your fellow critique
partners. Include your writing commitment (how much time on average you
write per week), what sub-genre of romance you write {EX: historical), and
what kind of critique you expect. This information is also covered in the
survey, but the survey is only for list owner use in order to place you
within a group.
- Submit one chapter for critique to the Penders’ group within two weeks of joining. Membership to this group will be a two month probationary period.
In order to be placed in a permanent group, you must be active in
this one first.
Email and loops:
Your membership will consist of 2 loops.
One will be the main Critters loop [Critters]. The other email loop will be the
critique group you will decide to join that will best suit your needs. If
you are on hiatus, you may go "no mail" on the critique group list
but at all times your email status on the main Critters loop must be either
"individual emails" or "daily digest."
WHERE TO POST:
- Each individual group has its own YahooGroups email loop to discuss issues pertaining to
their writing, their sub-genre of writing, personal topics and anything
they’d like to discuss.
- Each member is also a member of the main YahooGroups email loop where announcements are made
and the general discussion of writing continues. Please do not switch list delivery to
“no-mail” on the main list. Some
announcements are in regards to YahooGroups or
Critters information.
- Each individual group posts their chapters and
critiques within the FILE area of their YahooGroups
site.
- It is up to each group to decide when files will
be deleted, if pictures are posted, etc.
Monthly
Requirements:
· The foundation of each critique group is
based on its one critique & one upload per month structure. Briefly, you
are required to give a minimum of one critique per month, and upload one new
chapter (to be critiqued) per month, in order to remain a member. There is no
limit to the amount of critiques/uploads you may give in any given month. If
you can give more than one per month, that's great! However, if you do not meet
the minimum of one critique-per-month, you may be asked to leave Critters.
· A good rule of thumb is that for each
upload you present to the group, you must complete one critique.
· On the other hand, we realize that “life
issues” may interfere with your writing schedule and you may need more time. If
this is so, please let your group members know and we can grant you an
extension.
· However, after two consecutive months of
inactivity without the hiatus status, you may lose your membership in Critters.
You will be given ample notice before being taken off any lists. Prevent any
problem by staying in contact with your group leader.
Record keeping:
· We keep a record of critiques given and
received.
· We try to post a status report to the
Critters e-mail list once a month. When you upload a file or give a critique
please post the information to the database. If the status report is incorrect,
please contact your group leader.
Uploading files
to be critiqued:
· You may upload your files to be critiqued
in the “Uploads” folder. Make sure your files are RTF -- Rich Text Format.
· Please post your critiques in the proper
folders (the folder marked with the author of the piece’s name).
· There is no set requirement as to length of
an upload.
· Upload what you feel comfortable with.
If you’d like to send a chapter at a time, that’s fine. If you
would prefer to send 5 pages at a time that's okay too. Upon admittance
to the critique group, your first file for critique must be uploaded no later
than ten days after you are granted access as a member.
Critiques
We have established critiquing guidelines
posted within each critique group. Please take a look. If you have any
questions concerning a critique or a member abusing the privilege, please
contact your group leader or the owners of Romance Critters immediately.
· Critiquing Pointers are available in the
files section within each group. This article helps with getting to know your
partners, what things to look for in a critique, and what things should be
pointed out in a critique.
· Even the experienced critiquer
should review these helpful hints.
· If you’d like more help learning how to
critique, please contact Angi privately: AngiPlatt@aol.com
WEBSITE &
SELF PROMOTION:
RomanceCritters.com is available for
members to have a web page (presently at no cost 5-1-04). Bios, excerpts from
member’s works, accolades are all welcome. Romance Critters will provide a link
to a member’s website and asks only that the member provide a link to Romance Critters.
· Promotion of published works, author
chats, and articles is encouraged on the YahooGroups
loop.
· Romance Critters will help promote a
member’s work.
REPRIMANDS:
Unfortunately, there may be instances
when it is necessary for the hosts to reprimand a member for undesirable
behavior within the forum. Such times would include, but not be limited to:
· Distribution
of another author's work outside this forum.
· Issuing a critique that is inappropriate or
inappropriately harsh in content.
· Engaging in inappropriate dialog with another
member in a manner that reflects on this forum.
· Misrepresenting yourself in any way within this forum.
· Using this forum for self-promotion other
than for your career as an author.
· Please do not share your Yahoo password with
anyone. Others obtaining access and
information from any Romance Critters loops will be a violation of these
guidelines and will result in immediate dismissal and criminal charges may
be filed.
If the need arises, the hosts will
contact the member and issue a written reprimand. At that time, the member can
decide if they wish to comply, or withdraw voluntarily. Should the warning go
unheeded, the member's privileges will be terminated.
It is the sole discretion of the group
owner if a member’s privileges should be terminated.
IMPORTANT
This is a private forum. Under no circumstances are members to
share another member's work with anyone who is not a member of this group. To
do so will be grounds for permanent expulsion.
If you agree to these guidelines and want to join
Romance Critters, click here.
