for Romance Writers

Critique Camp
Learn MoreApply Now

Romance

Want to join a group exclusively built for Romance Writers

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Feedback

Want a second, third, fourth, fifth and more pairs of eyes on your draft

Accountability

Do you work better with clearly defined deadlines and structure

Welcome to Critique Camp

for Romance Writers 

Want to know if your story is on the right track?

Would you love to make some new romance writer friends from the comfort of your own home?

Do you see Jessi + Lisa posting about eating ice cream all the time and would love to join them?

Are you an introvert that secretly longs to be part of a fun, supportive group of aspiring romance writers?

Need help with your manuscript before you go any further?

Would you love to hear feedback on your work-in-progress from ten other beta readers?

Make Friends

Join a supportive and inclusive environment where your romance writing goals are encouraged and developed

Set Deadlines

Why is NaNoWriMo so popular…because it has set deadlines and a pre-defined word count goal – that’s what Critique Camp offers but with the added benefit of getting actual feedback on that writing so you know how you’re doing

Get Beta Readers

Get feedback from not just 1 or 2 but 10 other Beta Readers without having to hunt down and find them on your own – we did all the work for you!

Ice Cream Scoops

Edited Manuscripts

Vanilla Lattes

Books Written

from rough draft to

polished manuscript

There’s nothing wrong with a rough first draft – in fact, we encourage it. 

But what if you could do some early course correction mid-stream at the 10,000 word mark instead of waiting until the end?

How much more confident would you feel about the direction of your story and what to write next?

Critique Camp is the answer to all those little voices in your head

  • Am I on the right track
  • Does this story make any sense
  • Is my heroine likeable 
  • Have I built in enough tension

here’s a look at

what you get

Facebook Group

You’ll be invited to a private Facebook Group to mix & mingle with your fellow Critique Campers and yours truly: Jessi + Lisa

3 Coaching Calls

We have 3 calls to ask us anything, plus we’ll be deep-diving into exactly how we apply each of these different craft elements to our writing + how you can adopt these best practices in yours

  • Romantic Craft Elements
  • How To Write Sex Scenes
  • How To Create a Slow Burn Build-Up
  • Live delivery of Critique Feedback on your manuscript

Feedback Report

We’ll prepare a professional 2-page review of each of the key elements in your manuscript and suggestions on what to revise + how

Line Edits

We’ll go through your rough draft and add in line edits, in addition to the detailed Feedback Report

NaNo Starter Kit

You’ll get FREE access to Lisa’s $247 NaNo Starter Kit – a complete 31-day Outlining Course + 6 bonuses

You Scream, I Scream

For everyone who meets every single deadline, you’ll be given a gift certificate for your favorite ice cream shop

important dates to

remember

How much does it cost?

$97 USD

Payment due by 5/17 to hold your slot

frequently asked

QUESTIONS

Why do I have to fill out an application?

While we’d love to let anyone join Critique Camp, we really want to ensure we provide a high-quality and valuable experience to all Campers and that means ensuring we’re all writing in the same genre – Romance – and approximately at the same level. We totally get that some writers are just natural born bestselling writers but we’ve found that taking a few writing courses, attending a few writing workshops, reading multiple craft books and having some experience with writing goes a long way.

Is this only for unpublished, new authors?

Not at all! Both unpublished and published authors are both welcome.

Is this only for indie authors?

Not at all! Trad, indie, hybrid + undecided authors are all welcome.

What is your criteria for accepting writers into Critique Camp?

We’re basically looking to make sure you understand the basic elements of craft. This is a learning opportunity as much as it is a feedback program so please don’t skip applying because you’re worried you’re not good enough. Your writing is probably better than you think.

When will you be running another session of Critique Camp again

We have no idea – this is a beta run for us. If all goes well, we envision running this once a quarter but we’re not promising anything at this time so if you’re even the slight bit interested, now would be the time to join!

Are you seriously giving out ice cream at the end of Critique Camp?

Are you seriously doubting that’s going to happen. Have you never followed us on Instagram Stories because that’s all we talk about.

What exactly am I getting in Critique Camp?

  • Access of a private Facebook Group
  • 3 Coaching Calls
  • Detailed Feedback Report
  • Line Edits
  • Access to the NaNo Starter Kit
  • Ice Cream Gift Card [if you meet all deadlines]

 

My manuscript isn’t done yet, can I still join?

Of course! All you need is your first 10,000 words completed and ready to submit by 5/28

Can I choose any 10K words from my manuscript?

No – it has to be your first 10,000 words of your story. While we’d love to read the backstory and a synopsis of your book, that just isn’t practical to do for 10 different stories in a group critique session. 

What if I miss the deadline?

You won’t. In other words, you’ll submit what you have written by 5/28, whether that is 10K words or just 100 words. No exceptions or extensions since that isn’t fair to everyone else who did submit their work on time.

Can I get a refund if I’m unhappy or unable to make the 5/28 deadline?

OMG – why would you be unhappy? Sometimes people are happier just for knowing us! And you’ll get to become one of our Critique Camp besties. However, due to the intensive nature of this program and the limited slots available, we are unable to offer refunds or credits for future camps for any reason. Thanks for understanding. We’re committed to you for the next month and we need to know that you’re not only committed to Critique Camp but to your fellow Campers who are counting on you and your valuable peer feedback. 

 When does Critique Camp officially begin?

There is an Ice Cream Social LIVEstream happening on Wednesday May 15 @ 8pm EST when we will announce all invited Critique Campers and then we have three group coaching calls. Here’s the full timeline:

  • May 15 Ice Cream Social LIVEStream
  • May 22 Kickoff Call #1
  • May 28 10K words due
  • May 29 Call #2 
  • June 4 Peer Feedback Sheets due
  • June 12 Call #3

 

Meet Your

critique camp cheerleaders

Some of Jessi’s favorite things are writing paranormal romance, eating ice cream and watching Whiskey Cavalier – not necessarily in that order, nor at the same time. She lives in Ontario with Phoebe, her entertainingly derelict cat and tons of books. 

Jessi Elliott

Fantasy Romance Author

Lisa’s favorite thing to do is visit Cold Stone and then encourage others to do the same. She lives in San Diego, where she wishes all romance writers would relocate to. Basically, she just wants to be surrounded by writing friends who will meet up with her for ice cream writing dates.

Lisa London

Contemporary Romance Author

Apply Now

Deadline for Critique Camp Applications is Sunday May 12 @ 11:59pm EST

got a Question? 

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want to join Critique Camp? Write us here! Or Call/Text Us

Lisa 1-212-731-9714 USA or lisa@lisalondonbooks.com

Jessi 1-226-802-4522 CAN or authorjessielliott@gmail.com

Critique Camp Contact Form