Live feedback on your short story.

The SSWG is a traditional critique group with a twist (see what I did there?). We are focused on providing encouraging, honest, empathetic, incisive, and succinct feedback on short story manuscripts (and no, your story doesn’t have to end with a twist).

Dates: Every Tuesday
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm (PT)
Place: Google Meet

What happens at the writers’ group?

For the uninitiated, a writers’ group is where we take turns reading our works in progress and providing each other with feedback. Here’s how it goes:

Every Monday, you will receive the Short Story Dispatch containing the Google Meet invite.
On Tuesday, we’ll open the room at 1:55 pm for awkward small talk.
At precisely 2 pm, the first writer will share their story, and listeners will give their critiques. (It sounds terrifying, but it is actually rather exhilarating!)
Wash, rinse, repeat until everyone has had their turn.
At 3:55 pm, refreshed and inspired for another week of writing, we’ll wrap up the session.

We are a silly and hard-working bunch, dedicated to strengthening our writing and giving each other a hand up. Newbies welcome to participate or just bask in the glorious short story vibes.

OMG I need this. How do I join?

Anyone can attend SSWG, observe, or participate in the critique. To read and receive feedback, you must be a reader or on the waitlist to become one. Check out the FAQ below for more about that process.

Join Us

Working with Lisa really helped me deepen my understanding of the many aspects of creating a piece of writing. I experienced her as an insightful teacher and guide and valued the honesty of her approach. I was also awed by her thoroughness. I would recommend her without hesitation to someone seeking an editor.

Gabriole Sinclaire, author

Short Story Writers’ Group FAQ

Help! I can’t get into the room!

Google Meet works on any up-to-date browser but works best on Chrome. Check you’ve installed the latest updates, or, if you can, switch devices. If none of that works, send me an email and we’ll sort you out.

What is a reader?

Readers are writers who have formally committed to improving their writing and critique skills through regular and consistent participation in the SSWG.

How do I become a reader?

Because there is only time for four stories per meeting, the SSWG is capped at seven readers. The roster is always full these days, and when a reader steps down from their commitment, new readers are chosen* from writers on the waitlist.

* To create a dynamic community and provide useful feedback, the blend of readers needs to be diverse in life experience, writing style, and skill, so levelling up to reader isn’t first-come first-served, nor does it depend on your writing/critique chops.

How do I join the waitlist?

To join the waitlist, you’ll need to attend and participate regularly in the SSWG. From there, we’ll invite you to read occasionally. Once you and the group are comfortable and your commitment to the work required is evident, we’ll ask you to join the waitlist. Once on the waitlist, you’ll get first dibs on unfilled reading slots (usually one to three per month). It’s a LOT of work to get there, but the benefits are worth it.

What are the benefits of becoming a reader?

Feedback. Along with levelling up their critique game, readers have the opportunity to sign up to read their stories (two to three times per month) and receive feedback.
Objectivity. One of the big benefits of regularly giving and receiving feedback is that you start to see your own work more objectively. Readers quickly learn to avoid the common problems that keep stories in the slush pile.
Accountability. Readers are expected to critique at least half of the sessions per month, and are encouraged to bring new or revised stories to the group at least two to three times per month.
Community. The Short Story Writers of the Earth is a deeply anti-pretentious, pro-curious, and flagrantly supportive group. The members of the SSWG take these values to the next level with each other. It actually brings me to tears to behold sometimes.

More FAQs