What we’re about
New Paragraph Writers
“There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” -- W. Somerset Maugham
As writers and critiquers, the New Paragraph Writers strive to both adhere to and challenge Maugham’s claim. Above all, we are dedicated to helping each other to be the best writers we can be.
More about us:
• We are writers of literary and up-market fiction.
• Poetry, non-fiction, screenplays, and genre fiction is not our thing, although fiction with some speculative elements is fair game.
• While we welcome writers of any nationality, English is the group’s language for writing, critiquing, and communicating.
• At present, this is a remote-only group; we meet via Skype once per week during evening hours (Central European Time).
• We are an inclusive group and do not tolerate intolerance (I mean, besides *this* one).
• We give honest, constructive critiques whilst encouraging and motivating each other to do our best work.
• We value positive feedback as much as suggestions for improvement.
• Critiques and writing submissions must be the member’s original work; AI-generated material is not permitted!
• Because we have a strong work ethic, emphasis is placed on showing up every week, keeping up with critiques, and regularly submitting work for critique by the group, while recognising that life doesn’t always happen at a steady pace.
• We keep the group small to avoid overload.
• We have (and strictly adhere to) submission limits to keep things fair for everyone.
• Microsoft Word is what we use exclusively for critiquing, along with Google Drive for submitting our work. It is the writer’s responsibility to obtain access to these apps.
• It is the writer who requests what they are looking for in terms of a critique. As critiquers, we make every effort to honour the writer’s request, with the understanding that it will be reciprocated in turn.
• We are a democratic group. Decisions are made (and problems are resolved) accordingly.
• We are respectful of each other’s opinions and yield the floor to allow everyone a chance to speak.
• We help our members write the stories they want to write, not necessarily the ones we want to read.
Above all, our end goal is to help each other get published—without compromising the stories we set out to tell.
We are currently welcoming writers who are writing or who have written short stories and/or novels—published or not—and would like alpha or beta readers to read and critique their work. While no prior experience in this kind of group is required, to ensure a good fit we do ask for a writing sample and a sample critique before new members are admitted.