Blog
Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry May 06
Critique Notices
Interviewed!
I was interviewed live on public radio for Critters' birthday, for those who want to listen.
Free Web Sites
Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.
ReAnimus Acquires Advent!
ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!
Book Recommendation
THE SIGIL TRILOGY:
The universe is dying from within...
"Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock
Announcing ReAnimus Press
If you're looking for great stuff to read from bestselling and award-winning authors—look no further! ReAnimus Press was founded by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]
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FEATURED BOOK
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Welcome to Critique.org!
News
Critters is 25!
Last November, Critters turned 25 years old! Wow! Thanks so much to all of you, who've made it such a resounding success!
Books from Critters!
Check out Books by Critters for books by your fellow Critterfolk, as well as my list of recommended books for writers.
How to Write SF
The Craft of Writing Science Fiction that Sells by Ben Bova, best-selling author and six-time Hugo Award winner for Best Editor. (This is one of the books your ol' Critter Captain learned from himself, and I highly recommend it.)
(Also via Amazon)
New Book from a Critter Member
**NOW IN
PRINT EDITION
TOO!** Awesome new book,
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION OPENINGS,
from a Critter member who's unearthed a shard of The Secret
to becoming a pro writer. Really good piece of work.
"...if you're at all concerned about story openings, you'd be nuts not to read what Qualkinbush has to say." —Wil McCarthy, author of BLOOM and THE COLLAPSIUM
Photography Workshop
As the name suggests, this is the Critique.org workshop for Photography. Workshops for other categories are listed below. Feel free to explore the site and sign on up when you're ready to unleash your inner Shakespeare.
As a brand new workshop to the critique.org family (hurrah!), the queue for this workshop may be light for the first few times — so it's a great time to submit something to get the ball rolling.
If you have ideas how to improve the workshop by all means, please let me know.
Also, as a new workshop, I'd appreciate it if you could help announce it on your blogs, places you post where it would be of interest, etc. Thanks!
What are the Critique.org Workshops?
Critique.org is for serious authors, artists, and creators in any field who wish to improve their craft — those who seek to gain professional stature within their field or increase it. Critique.org workshops focus on in-depth critiques of your works, a process which helps both the recipient and the reviewer to grow. In addition to depth of analysis, much of critique.org's secret is our emphasis on respectful and diplomatic critiques.
By way of history, Critique.org began in 1995, making it the first on-line workshop/critique group on the web. We now have over 10,000 members and have delivered our members over 270,000 detailed critiques — enough critiques to fill thousands of books. After many years focusing on professional speculative fiction and helping authors turn pro, Critique.org branched out to bring its highly successful format to everyone. There are now Critique.org workshops for every genre and every form of creative endeavor — songwriting, music performance, art, photography, film & video, web site design, apps, screenplays, comics, non-fiction writing, literary and mainstream writing, childrens, mysteries, thrillers, romance, and of course "Critters," our first workshop, for science fiction, fantasy and horror... — you name it, there's a workshop for it.
How it works: You get your work critiqued in exchange for critiquing the work of others, both of which are invaluable ways to improve your craft. The workshops are run by the Critter Captain, Dr. Andrew Burt (founder of the world's first Internet service provider and former vice-president of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.), along with his army of software minions. We also have forums to discuss your craft and the critiquing process, as well as many other useful and fun resources. Critique.org is free (except for the work of doing critiques!) and funded by donations; if you find the workshop useful, donations are appreciated.
Authors and artists of all skill levels are welcome (with special incentives for professionals), so sign yourself up.
Workshops
We have workshops for just about everything. (Well, we WILL have them, but we're in Beta Test mode right now, adding new workshops as we shake them down.) What workshop would you like to join?—
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Critters — SF/Fantasy/Horror Writing
Mainstream and Literary Fiction
Mystery, Thriller, and Adventure Writing
Non-Fiction Writing
Script, Screenplay, and Stageplay Writing
Kids Books
Comics, Graphic novels, Manga, etc.
Western Fiction Writing
Romance Writing
Adult Fiction
Video and Film
Music and Audio
Photography
Art, Painting, Drawing, etc.
Apps, Software, Games, etc.
Website Design
Testing and Experimenting
What Next?
- Want to know more?
- Want to join?
- Need resources on critiquing, writing or SF?
- Who are we?
- What's in the Queue?
- Where's the good stuff? (Manuscripts & Critiques)
- Want to jump to the head of the queue?
- Want to write a story?
- What's in it for pros?
What Others Say
If I were shopping for a workshop, I'd give Critters a close look.
Well run and quite stable
Critters has been profiled in Salon Magazine.
More Info
Check out a more detailed description of Critique.org and what it's like to send a manuscript through the workshop.
Our mission is to achieve a high level of participation in giving critiques on short stories, novel chapters, and entire novels in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. The focus is on providing timely, helpful critiques. Our Rules are what make this work.
(And a steady hand on the tiller from the Critter Captain.)
Note To Professionals
Professional authors, artists, etc. are most welcome, and we have many in the group. For one critique a month, professional members get immediate reviews of their work. If you don't mind a little humorous coaxing, drop in here.Ready to Join?
If you're ready to join, come on in.
