HerStry Critique Groups
It’s no secret that feedback is an important part of the writing process.
In fact, we argue that it might be the most important part of the process.
But it’s hard to find a writing community. It’s hard to find the people who are willing to take the time and the effort to read your work and give the feedback you really, truly deserves.
That’s where HerStry Critique Groups come in!
HerStry Critique Groups are small groups of 6 women who gather online for 6 weeks to share their writing, give constructive feedback and gain skills as writers.
Weekly online sessions last approximately ninety minutes, with three women sharing their work each week. Writers of all genres and levels are welcome and you may share both works of fiction and nonfiction.
Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings at 7PM CST or Tuesday afternoons at 12PM CST (see times below)
What’s included in the HerStry Critique Groups?
Six 90 minute live workshop sessions
Three 25 minutes sessions in the “hot seat” to get you work critiqued
Written and verbal feedback from your fellow workshop participants
A weekly in depth edit and critique of your work from the group leader after each session
Weekly writing goals and accountability check ins
You will receive full video recordings of each session to keep for your records
Say goodbye to the lonely, stuck in your head writing life!
Upcoming Sessions*
2024 Groups
October 1st - November 5th @ 11 AM CST (Led by Julia) -SOLD OUT
October 1st - November 5th @ 7PM CST (Led by Emily)
October 2nd - November 6th @ 11AM CST (Led by Julia)
October 6th - November 10th @ 7PM CST (Led by Emily) - SOLD OUT
2025 Groups
January 5th - February 9th @ 7 PM CST (Led by Emily)
January 9th - February 13th @ 11AM CST (Led by Briana)
March 2nd - April 6th @ 7 PM CST (Led by Emily)
March 6th - April 10th @ 11 AM CST (Led by Briana)
April 27th - June 1st @ 7 PM CST (Led by Emily)
May 1st - June 5th @ 11 AM CST (Led by Briana)
July 20th - August 24th @ 7 PM CST (Led by Emily)
July 24th - August 28th @ 11 AM CST (Led by Briana)
September 14th - October 19th @ 7 PM CST (Led by Emily)
September 18th - October 23rd @11 AM CST (Led by Briana)
November 9th - December 14th @ 7PM CST (Led by Emily)
November 10th - December 15th @11 AM CST (Led by Briana)
Cancelation Policy - HerStry cannot offer refunds on purchased critique groups. If you cannot attend your chosen group contact info@herstryblg.com and we’ll move you to another open group.
Babes Who Write, use this special code to receive a discount.
Meet Your Instructors:
Briana Gwin
Briana Gwin embraces multitudes as a neurodiverse, Afro-Latina hybrid creative and multicultural Citizen. She received a BA in Literature and Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, and an MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction from The New School. She is the current senior editor of prose at The Seventh Wave magazine, and the former editor & storyteller of Milkweed Editions. Her words have appeared in Midnight & Indigo, The Seventh Wave, Guernica, and elsewhere. She currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her three hairless cats and more books and houseplants than she can count.
Emily McArdle
Emily writes from Jonesborough, TN where she lives with her husband, four children, and many animals, including her service dog, Ghost. She has recently published with Flash Glass, Little Patuxent Review, JMWW, and Dream of Shadows. She was a finalist for the Eunice Williams Nonfiction Prize at HerStry. She has a special interest in writing about mental health, trauma, and women’s issues through multiple genres of fiction and creative non-fiction. She is the nonfiction editor at Honeyguide Literary Magazine, and an MFA in Writing candidate at the Vermont College of Fine Art. Emily publishes under the name Lilly Roan. To read more of her writing, check out her website at LillyRoan.com and follow her Instagram account @TheRoanWriter.
Julia Nusbaum
Julia is the founder and Editor in Chief of HerStry. She is a native of rural Northern Illinois where she grew up on a farm. She earned her bachelor's degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, her Master’s of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and her MFA in Creative Writing at Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in The Wisconsin Review, Peach Velvet Magazine, Mutha Magazine, Hello Giggles, Moon Cola Magazine, Magpie Lit, Antipoetry Magazine, The Feminine Collective, and elsewhere. She currently lives with her partner and two children in Milwaukee, WI. To read her writing check out julianusbaum.com. You can follow her on Instagram: @jules.nusbaum.
What participants are saying about Our Writing Groups
“Being a part of the Critique Club was a terrific experience. It gave me the opportunity to connect with other writers, share ideas and insight, and receive feedback on my work. It’s a wonderful idea, much needed in this virtual world that so many of us work in!”
“The critique club has given me a fresh perspective on my writing. Everyone has been kind and thoughtful with their feedback, and I’m glad I did it! I recommend it to others, and I’ll likely do it again some time in the future.”
“My writing has benefited so much from the HerStry Critique Club. It was helpful to get face-to-face feedback as well as email correspondence on some of my projects. It was a pleasure to meet and workshop ideas with talented women writers and I will certainly join another session in the future.”
“Critique Club was a dynamic and useful way for me to focus on craft improvement in a supportive environment. Each workshop was moderated with wisdom and care, and I’m so grateful for the insightful guidance I received on the early chapters of my novel-in-progress.”
“This was such a great experience. Sharing my writing with strangers is scary, but the premise was embolding. And as the weeks went on and we understood each other’s work and writing styles the critiques only got kinder and more challenging! I only wish it had been a few weeks longer!”
“I really enjoyed my HerStry Critique Group. It is a good way to grow as a writer and as a person. The feedback is constructive, and Julia is awesome as a leader. She keeps things moving along, is good at inviting participation in discussions, and offers valuable suggestions in her edits. Overall, this is the best critique group I have experienced.”
“The HerStry critique group was a very positive and illuminating experience! Joanna offered sharp, honest, and constructive feedback, and everyone in our group agreed that our work improved from week to week as a result of the discussions and critique that we all shared.”
“Critique Club is a great way to keep the discipline of writing active. Fellow writers offer helpful insight for rewrites from varying perspectives. Julia’s notes and comments allowed me to feel I could, with some rewrites, get the three stories I presented ready for submission. It’s a great kickstart if you’re looking to refresh your writing commitment and a helpful and supportive community.”
“The Critique Group led by Sophia was a great experience. All of the writers were kind and helpful and I learned a lot from them. Even from the beginning of the course, a safe space for sharing existed. I recommend this course to anyone interested in improving her writing, whether it be fiction, non-fiction, or memoir.”
