The heart of the San Diego County Writers Guild, now more than 200 members strong, is the critique group. Members meet monthly in small groups throughout the county to critique each other's writing projects. For fifteen to thirty minutes the entire group concentrates on one member's work. It can be a chapter in a book, a poem, a query to an editor or a magazine article.

Nonmembers are welcome to visit and participate in these constructive sessions.

While not everyone in the guild is a best-selling author, all efforts are supported and encouraged. "Someone who gets a small piece in a Sunday School circular that touches one person is just as 'successful' as a best selling author," guild president Jennie Gillespie said. And persistence pays off. "Those who faithfully attend critique meetings are going to get published."

"Without the skills I learned in my critique group, I'd never have been able to write any of my books," said Randal Ingermanson, Mt. Herman Christian Writers Conference 1999 Writer of the Year. "I was a beginning fiction writer and Woody (guild founder Sherwood "Woody" Wirt) suggested that I join a critique group. Great advice! I spent about 8 years in that group, polishing my skills and learning how to market my writing."

The SDCWG currently hosts monthly Critique Groups meeting in the following areas. For the address and phone number of the particular group which is most convenient for you, contact us.