Critique Partners FAQ | Who They Are, Where To Find Them, Why Writers Need Them, And More

Writing is often viewed as a solitary activity, something we do alone while we're hunched over our computers in the dead of night brooding as we wait for the muses to at last grace us with a dash of inspiration.

But it takes a village to publish a novel.

A story will go through so many hands before reaching bookshelves and, in my experience at least, some of the least talked about yet super-important are those of critique partners.

Feedback from a critique partner, or CP, can be incredibly helpful for writers shaping their drafts into manuscripts, but I haven't seen them get the same fanfare as beta readers (who are also very important!). I hadn't even really heard the term until I got to college and started trading pages with a writer friend (hi, Ally! 🩷).

That's why in this post, I'm shining a long-overdue light on critique partners—who they are, why writers need them, how to find them, and more.

What Is A Critique Partner? What Do They Do?

Unlike a beta reader, who assesses your writing from the standpoint of a reader, a critique partner does so from the perspective of a writer because they're often writers, themselves.

Their feedback can offer insight into craft and technical aspects of writing that a beta reader may not be as familiar with. They can help bring your story into focus, identify its strengths, and improve its weaknesses. They can also be part of your support system on the harder days, hold you accountable as you work towards your writing goals, and cheer you on when you reach them.

Critique partners are more often than not a reciprocal relationship; typically speaking, in exchange for their feedback on your writing project, you'll provide feedback on theirs. It is a partnership, after all!

Where Can I Find A Critique Partner?

There are all kinds of places to find a CP!

You may already have a trusted friend who is a writer that would make a great critique partner but if not, here are some places to start:

Social Media — Social media has made it easier than ever to find your corner of the writing community, and that includes CPs. Making friends can be intimidating online, especially if you're an internet introvert like me (side note, Tome is especially cozy so come find me there). However, it's a vast resource to connect with writers, whether you're looking for friends who share your love for storytelling or need to find your next favorite read. You may just vibe with someone and decide to become CPs after getting acquainted, or you might see a writer posting in the hopes of connecting with a CP to get feedback on their current project.

Online Forums — If you're on any writer-centric forums, watch for CP invites or events designed to help forge those connections.

Your Community — Depending on your region, you may be able to find writing groups hosted by your library or indie bookshop, or writer get-togethers and workshops hosted in the area; you may also be able to find virtual ones, too. Not only is this great for making friends who share your writerly interest but you may even be able to find a CP or two!

When Do I Need A Critique Partner?

There's no specific stage a CP needs to be brought in for!

Some writers like working with them as they're writing the first draft of their story to help with brainstorming and plotting. Others might wait until the first draft is done or even after they've completed at least one round of self-edits.

I'll usually wait until I've gotten through the first draft and send out chapters for feedback in small batches, once I've been able to look them over and make any needed tweaks.

It's really up to you and your needs as a writer.

Does My Critique Partner Need To Write In My Genre?

Not necessarily!

However, it can be helpful to have a CP who is at least familiar with your story's genre, even if that's not the one in which their own pen dwells. This means they can better assess your use of genre-specific tropes and plot structures or how well your tone fits your genre. A horror is written differently than a romcom.

Additionally, they might also have industry insights or be up-to-date on any publishing news that could come in handy.

I'd say prioritize CPs in your genre but don't limit yourself to only them. I find that having a couple of readers outside of the romance genre allows me to get a sense of how a more generalized audience might receive my WIP and ways to make it more accessible to those who aren't diehard romance readers or only have limited experience with it (yet 😉).

How Many Critique Partners Should I Have?

At least one, but there's no set number.

I'm personally comfortable with my writing group's size of six including myself. You may prefer ten or three.

But it's less about quantity and more about quality. Too few CPs can limit the extent of the feedback you're given, but remember that too much can be detrimental because of how overwhelming it can be to sort through. It's better to have two CPs you trust and give solid critiques than twenty whose feedback is less constructive.

You might also work with different CPs at different times. One CP could be fantastic at brainstorming and helping you rework your story's direction, while another has a keen eye trained to help fine-tune the smaller details, so you may send your WIP off to the latter after the first has had a chance to look things over.

What Kind Of Feedback Can I Ask My Critique Partner For?

Whatever you need!

When I send out a segment of my WIP, I also include a list of questions and things I want my CPs to be on the lookout for. These might be big-picture things like worldbuilding and plot, or super-specific like if they were weirded out by the way a character phrased something.

Chances are, your CP will also find things you overlooked when making your list so don't stress too much about it. Concentrate on the areas of your writing you would like to improve or have questions about and be open-minded to any other comments.

How Much Does A Critique Partner Cost?

Nothing!

Typically, it's free. The relationship with a critique partner is just that: a partnership.

Rather than a monetary exchange, it's expected that you'll exchange pages and give feedback on their WIP in return for their feedback on yours.

If someone is offering critique services for a fee, be sure to vet them appropriately. Editors, if they're qualified and a good fit for you, are worth the price, but their services tend to be a little different from the help of a CP.

Is A Critique Partner A Replacement For Beta Readers?

Nope!

CPs are there to give advice from the view of a writer. Beta readers are, as the name implies, readers. They're treating your work like a book rather than a draft or a manuscript, giving you the feedback to help you gauge how well your book will resonate with readers once it's published and what parts need a little more polishing before then.

Their feedback and the questions you ask them may overlap, but the perspective is different and just as important.

Is A Critique Partner A Replacement For Sensitivity Readers?

Definitely not.

A sensitivity reader is different from both a CP and a beta reader and is specifically focused on helping you make sure you are accurately and respectfully representing cultures, identities, and lived experiences that are not your own. Sensitivity readers will also be part of these groups.

For example, let's say I'm writing a story featuring a character who is autistic and of Vietnamese descent. I am neither, so I would want to consult not only autistic sensitivity readers but sensitivity readers who are from the same cultural background to make sure I'm handling those subjects with care throughout my story. This helps avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes I might not be aware of as someone outside of those communities and being downright offensive, even if that's far from my intent as the author.

Your CP may have those same lived experiences and be able to offer insight, but it's best to seek out sensitivity readers who are better able to evaluate that representation in your writing.

What To Look For In A Critique Partner

Or, how to be a good CP.

When you're working with a CP, it's crucial that the partnership feels right. You're bringing them into your writing process well before your story is ready to be read by most people, which might have you feeling vulnerable at times, so it's important to make sure your CP is someone reliable and trustworthy.

Here are some green flags to look for:

Constructive Feedback - A good CP calls attention not only to your strengths as a writer, but the areas of your WIP that need improvement. Praise can feel good, but it's not always informative; and when feedback is always negative, specifically negative without context or suggestion for improvement, it can be just as detrimental. Good CP feedback is actionable, meaning that it's not just vague compliments or downsides but highlighting why something works or falls short and offering suggestions you can take to make your writing even stronger.

Encouraging And Honest - Ideal feedback is a mix of positives and negatives, and all-around constructive. And while you may not necessarily want the negatives sugar-coated, there's a difference between being brutally honest and being unkind. CPs should be honest, but also supportive.

Reciprocation - Like I've said throughout this post, your relationship with a CP is a partnership, so make sure your CP understands this and has the same dedication to your writing as you would theirs (even if you're not trading pages at the same time). It's a branch off the golden rule: critique others' writing as you'd want yours to be critiqued.

Good Communication - In addition to offering detailed feedback, CPs should be good about communication. Whether it's establishing your boundaries and expectations or seeking clarification about feedback, you want to make sure your CP is open to conversation. This also holds true outside of your writing; if your feedback is going to be delayed, for instance, it's helpful to let your CP know in advance if possible.

Red Flags To Watch Out For In A Critique Partner

Or, how to be a bad CP.

While I've been pretty fortunate in finding great CPs, not all CPs are sculpted from the same block of marble.

In addition to doing the opposite of the positive characteristics above, these are some red flags to be wary of in a CP:

Overly Harsh In Their Critiques - As mentioned earlier, a key aspect of constructive criticism is highlighting the flaws of your writing, but if your CP is doing so harshly, that's not going to be helpful. It's one thing to be blunt or brutally honest and another to be unfairly unkind.

Dismisses Your Feedback - CP partnerships are all about the giving and receiving of feedback. And when that feedback is always disregarded, it may be a sign of trouble. While you don't have to take every piece of feedback that comes your way—as doing so can bring its own set of problems—dismissing all advice that doesn't fit within your perception of your own work or even getting defensive is SO not the way to go. If your CP is a good one, feedback shouldn't feel like a personal attack.

Taking The Reins Of Your Writing - Similarly, if you find that your CP is taking over your writing and pushing their own visions onto you, that goes against the reciprocal nature of CP relationships. There's a difference between giving suggestions and taking over.

If your CP continues to wave these red flags, it may be wise to end this relationship and seek a new partnership. You and your writing are worthy of finding the people who will support you at every stage of the journey and help you grow as a writer.

Critique partners may be the unsung heroes of a writer's crew compared to folks like beta readers, but they are no less important! Their early and uniquely insightful feedback as fellow writers helps you improve in your own craft as you prepare your story for the next steps. Trusting others with something as precious as your writing, especially in a polished state, can leave you feeling vulnerable or anxious, but when you've got a good CP or two on your side, that feeling of trepidation eases away in no time—and helps your writing truly shine!

Have you worked with a CP before? What has your experience been like? Leave your stories and any tips I missed in the comments below!