Presenting #CritClub

September 4, 2019
31 Comments
classes & workshops
critique groups, f&sf online critique groups, how to critique stories, rambo academy

I’m pleased to announce that the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers is once again expanding its offerings.

This answers a question that writers have expressed to me over and over again in workshops, on panels, in e-mail and one-on-one conversations, including several of the mentoring sessions I did last weekend at DragonCon:

How do I find a writing group of other fantasy and science fiction writers so I can trade critiques?

I’ve got an answer now that I feel 100% happy with: the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers #Critclub.

#CritClub is an online space where fantasy and science fiction writers of all levels can talk with each other and exchange story and novel critiques. Its Discord server provides chat rooms where members can trade critiques as well as discuss market news, tips, and trends, recent rejections, and supportive advice and feedback. Critiquing is totally optional and there is no pressure to participate! Join for the gossip and chatter if you feel so inclined.

Ways to sign up for #Critclub:

Do you support me on Patreon at the $2 or more level? Then you’re already signed up and should be able to access the Discord server.
Are you already a member on the Chez Rambo server? Like the Patreon supporters, your access is already there. Thanks for being part of the community!
Subscribe using one of the buttons below for $5 per month or $50 per year. After you subscribe, you will receive acknowledgement and an invitation to the Discord server within 24 hours.
Can’t afford it? I understand that these expenses add up. As with the classes, I’ve got plenty of free slots available, with the only criteria being that you think it would be useful to you as a writer but can’t afford it. I particularly encourage you to apply if you’re a writer of color, QUILTBAG, a person with disabilities, or are otherwise othered. We want you as part of the community. There is no obligation to participate in the critiquing portion.

How the Critclub Critique System Works

Members receive 3 credits when they sign up; everyone currently participating has 3 as well.

The cost of putting a story up for critique is:

1 credit for a story up to 7500
If the piece is longer, 1 additional credit for every 5000 words above that

You earn credits at the same rate. Credits are non-transferable.

Initially this will run on the honor system; if need be, we’ll add something more formal. Tips and formatting for critiquing are here, but as a rule of thumb, critiques should be at least 250 words (ish) and address developmental issues rather than line edits (unless the author requests otherwise).

Additional Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers Community Benefits

Each week, channel #thepanel will feature discussion centered on a specific topic, sometimes with guest moderators to lead discussion. September’s topics are: Week 1: Conventional Talk (Whether Conventions are worthwhile and how to make the most of them), Week 2: The Coaxing, Care, and Feeding of Story Ideas, Week 3: The Fine Art of Rejectomancy, or How to Use Rejections to Get Better, and Week 4: What’s the Slush Pile Like?

Channels include Rejectomancy for discussing submissions, Motivation, Market News and Book Club for discussing recent reading, among others.

31 Responses

You may also like...

Wormhole Lite Changes - Because You Asked For Them! (And Other Recent Stuff)

October 10, 2023

Making Wormhole Lite More Accessible

People told me the way we had Wormhole Lite configured didn’t work so well, because of time differences. So I’ve swapped things around and made it so you can get the recordings and not worry about time zones, but instead watch them at your leisure, because I’ve also extended the amount of time they’ll be available from 30 days to three months.

You can take them individually or as a group – and best of all, we implemented sliding scale so more people can afford it. Please check out what’s available and spread the word if you know people who might be interested.

Details. Registration Link.

Who’s teaching what?

Sarah Pinsker – Beginnings and Endings
Cat Rambo – Conflicts in Short Stories
Tobias Buckell – Plot Your Way to Amazing Characters
Ann Leckie – Setting & World Building

Results of Our First Pitch Session
Based on a suggestion, The Rambo Academy hosted a special practice pitch session. People submitted their pitches ahead of time and I read each one out loud, then we took 5 minutes or so to discuss each one after it had been read. We had an amazing time with this, and people found that having their pitch read out loud and being able to discuss it without people knowing it was there was comfortable and productive. Speaking as a teacher, it was a great session, full of good energy.

I plan to do one of these every other month going forward, so keep it in mind when you’re getting ready to develop a pitch for your novel.

If you’re a Patreon supporter, remember that this month we’re discussing Karen Joy Fowler’s “Standing Room Only.” There’s a Wednesday session and a Saturday one; both will be recorded for people that can’t make it.

Also for Patreon supporters, we have a special talk this month with Michael R. Underwood discussing American writers and unions – why we can’t unionize, and what we can do about it. The date had to get moved, and it’s now October 24th at 12 PM Eastern time.

Want to join us? Details here.

This weekend’s classes are:

Hitting the Road: How To Send Your Characters on a Road Trip with A.T. Greenblatt, Saturday, October 14th, 9:30-11:30 Pacific time.
Power and Politics in Worldbuilding: Schemes, Factions, and Culture with Michael R. Underwood, Saturday, October 14, 1-3 PM Pacific time.
Crimson Peaks and Menacing Mansions: Writing Gothic Horror with Catherine Lundoff, Sunday, October 15, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific time.
Twenty Types of Terror: Exploring Horror Subgenres with Cat Rambo, Sunday, October 15, 1-3 PM Pacific time.

Sign up for both of Sunday’s classes for a total cost of $99! All class recordings are available to Patreon supporters for $40 or $50 for non-supporters.

Find the full list of upcoming classes here.

Find the list of available videos here.

In November, Jennifer Brozek will be leading the Wednesday Writing Games session. Come play and write for an hour in a comfortable and enjoyable session designed to kickstart your creativity! See the Patreon schedule to find out how to join.

Want to find me on your favorite social network? Here’s all the places I have a presence, along with other pertinent links.

...

Cyber Monday 2025

December 1, 2025

Cyber Monday Deals

It’s Cyber Monday and so I’ve put together a list of deals! These prices are good through the end of the year, but some items are limited.

Class Discounts
BOGO deal on Patreon Memberships
Editing Services
Query Letter Services
Coaching Sessions

To keep things interesting, I included images from my early November travels.

Images from a recent trip to Spain, scouting Wayward Wormhole locations. Here’s street art in Valencia.

Class Discounts

Here are the upcoming classes. Book them now and save as follows:

$10 off any and all single session classes
$25 off any and all three session classes
$50 off any and all six session classes

Upcoming by Date:

Writing Friendships (1 session) – December 6, 9:30-11:30 AM Eastern time
Working with Voice and Point of View (3 session) – December 7, 14 and 21, 7-9 PM Eastern time
Short Story Workshop (6 session) – January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and February 7, 2026 9:30 AM – noon Eastern time
Writing Killer Descriptions (1 session) – January 4, 2026, 1-3 PM Eastern time
Extended Literary Device Workshop (3 session) – Jan 18, 25 and February 1, 2026, 1-3 PM Eastern time
Pulling Everything Together: Working with Theme and Motif (3 session) – January 19, 26, and February 2, 6-8 PM Eastern time
What to Show and What to Tell: Working with Exposition (1 session) – February 1, 2026, 7-9 PM Eastern time
Writing Your Way into Your Novel (6 sessions) – February 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 9:30-11:30 AM Eastern time
Names & Titles (1 session) – March 1, 2026, 1-3 PM Eastern time
Advanced Short Story Workshop (6 sessions) – March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 4, 12 7-9 PM Eastern time
Deadlines, Complications, and Reversals: Make Your Story More Complex (1 session) – April 11, 2026, 9:30-11:30 AM Eastern time

Classes are held online via Zoom and are recorded for participants. They consist of lecture, discussion, and in-class writing exercises; six session classes include some homework and critiquing fellow students’ stories.

To register for a class or classes, mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net and include the name of the class(es) and how you would prefer to pay (Venmo, Paypal, check, or some other alternative.) If you support me on Patreon, mention that so I know to give you the Patreon price.

If the cost is prohibitive, remember there are full and partial scholarships available for all classes. The Plunkett scholarships are need-based. If you could not otherwise afford the class, but feel it would help you with your writing, you should apply. I particularly urge QUILTBAG and PoC writers to apply; the third slot is specifically reserved for such a candidate, although all three are open to them.

To apply for a scholarship, mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net with the details of which class or classes (up to 3) you wish to attend, 2-3 sentences about why you would like to take it, and whether you are requesting a full or partial scholarship. That’s it. Please include whether or not you’d also like access to the chat server community. You are requested to limit your application to three scholarships total per quarter; it is okay to list alternates.

Here’s more from Valencia, including some plants from the Botanical Gardens there. I never like to miss a garden and this one was both extensive and well-tended.

Buy-One-Get-One Deal on Patreon Memberships

Curious about my writing community, which offers weekly Zoom events, a Discord server, market news, and mutual supporter, and want to check it out with a friend? When you sign up, drop me a note at cat@kittywumpus.net with the name and e-mail address of your friend, and I’ll send them a three month membership at the same level you’ve joined at.

What is Patreon? It’s a platform that allows you to connect with creators. Mine is the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, a community for new, emerging, and established fantasy, horror, and science fiction writers focused on craft and encouragement. Weekly and monthly Zoom events and a lively Discord server allow you to connect with awesome fellow writers. Find more details here.

Some street shots from Alicante including an amazing building with a living facade, delicious gelato, and flamingos in the Valencia Aquarium.

Editing Services

I do developmental editing for short stories and novels. Right now I’m offering a story edit/query letter bundle – 10 for $450, which allows you to buy 9 and get one free Each edit is good for a story or chapter up to 5k words, a query letter, or a synopsis. Turnaround is 2 weeks. Mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net and I can provide more details. Limited amount.

If you’d like to see some testimonials, here’s a page of them.

Delicious paella from our last night, a menu detail, doorway, and graffiti from Alicante. I should have taken shots of the sangria that became a group favorite; we certainly drank enough of it.

Query Letter Services

I will critique your query letter for $50 for the initial version and $25 for subsequent versions.

Or buy the $100 query letter bundle and get three 30-minute Zoom sessions in which we plan, write, and refine your query letter as well as discuss comps and talk about how to approach agents. Limited amount.

Mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net to set up your appointment in 2026.

One site I always have to visit in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia, the church designed by Antonio Gaudi, which has been in the process of construction for 100+ years now. The light there is extraordinary; it’s one of the world’s wonders.

Coaching Sessions

I offer coaching sessions, which can be done as one-offs or scheduled meetings. Some clients come for motivation or encouragement on a regular basis while others seek help with a specific project like finishing a novel, planning a book release, or learning how to create a newsletter.

Lock in a monthly 30-minute coaching session (normally $100 per session) be prepaying $1000 for 12 sessions. Mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net to set up your first appointment in 2026. Limited amount.

Happy Cyber-Monday and remember to support small business owners whenever possible!

peace,

Cat

...

The World of

books, community, classes, & resources

Share this:

Presenting #CritClub

31 Responses

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Get Fiction in Your Mailbox Each Month

You may also like...