Featured Articles Critique Group Facilitators: The Secret Sauce

By Mysti Berry

The pandemic had very few good surprises, but one wonderful thing did evolve out of that two-year stay-at-home experience: the creation of critique groups at ITW. The program Thriller-tique helps ITW members find critique partners writing thrillers and related subgenres like suspense, mystery, and more.

ITW provides a high-quality structure for critique groups, ensuring members receive useful input on their work in progress while avoiding the common pitfalls of critique groups: dysfunction, disengagement, and poor-quality critiques.

The program, designed by the Thriller-tique Committee, recruits each facilitator, who then forms a new group out of the pool of people waiting to join a group. The Committee also provides a structure for healthy feedback.

Joel Burcat, leader of the Thriller-tique Committee left, Bruce Johnson, facilitator center, and other facilitators in the foreground.

Why volunteer?

Who are these volunteers, and why do they do it? Let’s hear from the volunteers themselves!

“When I joined ITW, they’d just started the critique program, and there were way more writers wanting to be in a group than there were facilitators. I had the time, so I volunteered to lead one—and it worked!” –Nan

S.A. Cosby (left), Joel Burcat (right)

“My local critique group had broken up. So, I came into a new group and liked it so much that the next year I decided to volunteer as a facilitator of another group. I still belong to both.” –Patricia

“I had been part of in-person critique groups for over 20 years. I moved away and missed that connection I got from other writers. When I read the ITW was creating critique groups for writers of suspense, I was excited because not only would I be part of an international group (our group has members from Australia and New Zealand), but we would share a common love for the thriller genre.”  –Eleanor

“I had a small and dwindling (down to 3!) in-person group. Covid was the final straw. When I read FB suggestions to form online groups, I replied immediately, figuring that a group of mystery/thriller authors from all over the world would be a wonderful way to expand my horizons.” –Bonnar

What do facilitators do?

A facilitator starts and leads each group’s monthly Zoom meeting and manages the group’s calendar and Dropbox folder, where submissions and comments are shared.

Facilitators also:

-Share information from the committee that oversees Thriller-tique

-Send out reminder notices

-Resolve issues that may arise like the occasional need to reschedule or replace a member when one must drop out—a rare occurrence in the two-plus years of the program’s existence.

It may look like a lot of work, but most facilitators report spending an hour or less each month on their facilitator duties, plus the time that all members spend reading and critiquing.

Mysti Berry (center), Bruce Johnson (right), and other facilitators and interested first-timers around the table.

What are the rewards of facilitating?

Being a facilitator has many rewards. Let’s hear what the facilitators say:

“Knowing that the group members depend on me.” –Nan

“Getting to know the authors in my group and giving each of them something different they need help with.” –Patricia

“I’ve developed enduring friendships with both past and current members of my group. It’s a great networking tool. You can never tell who might be the next phenom–that person may already be a member of your group!” –Jen

“I love our group’s dynamic. It’s not so much being the facilitator but being part of this group that keeps me happy.” –Bonnar

“Being their cheerleader, seeing how their writing and writing life is going, and offering advice when asked is fulfilling. Brewing literary and publishing conversations gives me immense satisfaction.” –Eleanor

Should I volunteer?

As the Facilitator Liaison, my answer is usually “yes.” If you want to make connections in the writing community, don’t mind learning how to use Zoom and Dropbox and can manage a calendar well enough to send meeting reminders, you’ll make a great facilitator!

To learn more, email facilitatorliaisonitw@gmail.com, and we’ll reach out. We’re happy to chat—no pressure—to help you explore the idea.

Another option is to join a Thriller-tique group for a few months to get a feel for the whole experience. Then, express an interest in facilitating to your group facilitator, who will let you know the next steps.

To join a critique group as a regular member, visit https://thrillerwriters.org/members-only/thriller-tique/