Question 1

What is CritiqueMatch, and how does it relate to Critique Groups?

Accepted Answer

CritiqueMatch is the long-running 1:1 critique partner platform — voted a Top 101 Writing Website by Writer's Digest for six years running. Critique Groups is its cohort-based sister product, run by the same team, for writers who want diverse feedback on a real deadline instead of one ongoing partner.

Question 2

Do I need a separate login from CritiqueMatch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Critique Groups uses its own account, separate from your CritiqueMatch account. Sign up here even if you already have a CritiqueMatch login.

Question 3

Do I need a CritiqueMatch subscription to join a group?

Accepted Answer

No. Critique Groups is a standalone product with its own one-time per-cycle price. You don't need a CritiqueMatch subscription to join Critique Groups.

Question 4

Can I use the same email for both?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the same email address, but the two accounts and their billing are independent.

Question 5

What is a critique group?

Accepted Answer

A critique group is a small cohort of 3–5 writers in the same genre who exchange manuscript pages and detailed critiques on a fixed schedule, from a defined start date to a defined end date.

Question 6

How long does a group run?

Accepted Answer

Cycles typically run 8, 12, or 18 weeks. You'll see the length on each open group before you reserve a seat.

Question 7

How are groups matched?

Accepted Answer

We match by genre, experience level, and project stage — so a literary writer doesn't end up in a YA fantasy group, and a first-drafter isn't paired with writers polishing for submission.

Question 8

How much do I submit and critique each round?

Accepted Answer

Groups typically have 1 or 2 chapters per-submission (including a word-limit cap) to keep everyone's effort fair. The app auto-schedules who submits when, so each round one or two writers send pages and the rest deliver critiques by the deadline.

Question 9

Where do I submit and critique?

Accepted Answer

Everything happens inside the built-in critique editor — inline comments, overall feedback, and discussion. No chasing files across email, Google Docs, or Dropbox.

Question 10

What happens when the cycle ends?

Accepted Answer

You walk away with multiple rounds of feedback on your manuscript and the names of readers you'll want to write with again. There's no auto-renewal — if you want more, you can continue to work 1:1 with any of the group members on CritiqueMatch, under the Critique Partner subscription plan (optional).

Question 11

Are deadlines fixed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Submission and critique deadlines are scheduled up front for the entire cycle, so everyone knows exactly what's due and when. That's the point — accountability is a feature, not a bug.

Question 12

Can I be in more than one group at a time?

Accepted Answer

Yes — up to two active cycles at once. We cap it there so your feedback stays focused and you can actually hit every deadline.

Question 13

What if life happens and I miss a deadline?

Accepted Answer

One miss with prior notice is fine — writers are human. Repeated misses without notice trigger the inactivity policy below.

Question 14

Why choose a critique group over a 1:1 critique partner?

Accepted Answer

Groups give you diverse feedback on every chapter (3–5 readers in your genre) and built-in accountability with fixed deadlines. They're built to push a single draft forward on a real schedule.

Question 15

When is a 1:1 Critique Partner the better fit?

Accepted Answer

If you want one trusted reader who follows your work across multiple drafts, without hard deadlines, a subscription on CritiqueMatch's Critique Partner Plan is the better fit. Many writers run both.

Question 16

How much does a critique group cost?

Accepted Answer

Starting at $49 per cohort, paid once. The exact price depends on the cycle length (8, 12, or 18 weeks) and is shown on every open group before you reserve a seat.

Question 17

Is there a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. Critique Groups is a flat fee per cycle. When the cycle ends, you walk away — no recurring charge.

Question 18

When am I charged?

Accepted Answer

Only once your group fills. If it doesn't fill to the minimum required number of writers, you aren't charged.

Question 19

What's the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Full refund if you cancel at least 14 days before the start date. You'll also be fully refunded if we ever need to cancel the group due to low enrollment (under 3 writers).

Question 20

What counts as inactivity?

Accepted Answer

Missing two consecutive critique deadlines without prior notice to your group.

Question 21

What happens if I become inactive?

Accepted Answer

You'll be unable to submit more of your own work for peer feedback in that cycle, until you have caught up with your peers' critiques from prior cycles. The rest of the group's schedule continues so they can finish their exchanges on time.

Question 22

Is my writing private?

Accepted Answer

Your pages are only visible to the writers in your cohort. Nothing is published or shared outside the group.

Question 23

Can I keep in touch with my group after the cycle ends?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many writers sign up for another critique group cohort together or if they only clicked with one or two members in the group, they switch to CritiqueMatch.com where they can continue working together 1:1 (not as a group).

Question 24

Do you offer groups for non-fiction or poetry?

Accepted Answer

Most current groups are fiction-focused. If you'd like to see a group in another category, request one and we'll try to match you.

Question 25

How do I get help?

Accepted Answer

Email us at hello@critiquematch.com and we'll get back to you.

Frequently asked
questions.

Accounts & CritiqueMatch

How groups work

Deadlines & commitment

Groups vs. 1:1 Critique Partners

Pricing & refunds

Inactivity policy

Everything else

Ready to find your group?

Frequently askedquestions.