The Critters Library

The Library got a bit unwieldy, so I've split it out into multiple topic pages. Click a link below or scroll down below the notices for all the links.

Critiquing References

Critters Discussion Forum

Writing/Critiquting Tools that live on the site

Writing Resources

Other Workshops

Market Info

Other References of Interest

Help!

Help keep this list current! If you hit on a link that's dead, please report it. Please be specific in which link it is, since many sound alike. It would also help if you could mention what error you received — did it "time out" or give a "DNS error", or did it come up with a page specifically saying "URL not found". Thanks!

Note that they may still exist at another URL, so if you're really interested in one, look up the name via your favorite search engine. Some may exist in the Internet Archive's Wayback machine too.

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Critiquing References

Here are some articles on how to critique...

• 'How the Workshop is Supposed to Work' by Ed Bryant

• 'The Diplomatic Critiquer' by Andrew Burt

• 'It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It' by Andrew Burt

• Examples of how tiny wording changes in critiques make all the difference by Andrew Burt

• 'How to Critique Fiction' by Victory Crayne (with a critique checklist)

• 'How to Succeed in an Online Writing Workshop' by Victory Crayne

• Critique Template by Critter member Paul Hodges

• "Brutal Honesty" as a Bad Thing by Bruce Taylor

• 'How to Cope with Critiquing' by Rich Hamper

• Turkey City Lexicon (SF critique terms to know and live by)

• Amy Sterling Casil's tips on critiquing

• Maureen McHugh's four-steps to a useful critique (very short - read it! :-)

• Spider Robinson's humorous song, Fifty Ways to Lose a Hugo

• Some sample critiques

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Critters Discussion Forum

There are no forums on the Critters site any more (too much spam), but there is a semi-official facebook group:

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Group

The group's founder & admin is a Critter member, Brian Sellnow.

You're welcome to talk about Critters there, and there's a chance the Critter Captain might see it and reply. (Though anything that needs attention should be sent via the help/contact page on the site.)

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Writing/Critiquing Tools

Here are some tools and whatnot that live on the site here, both serious and for fun.

• The Bonsai Story Tree Generator — a program I wrote to make fascinating text out of input you supply; used in the Atlanta Nights sting operation.

• Random character name/attribute generator

• CritStyle text formatter — reformats manuscripts for readability, by member Mike Alexander

• Random drawing — picks random items out of a hat (as it were); for raffles, randomly creating worlds/characters/etc.

• Aburt's Loan Comparison Tool — check it out if you're getting a loan, refinancing, etc.

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Writing Resources

Various links with other writing-related information...

• Tips To Increase Writing Productivity"

• Aburt's Recommended Books

• ReAnimus Press / Advent:Publishers books on writing

• SFWA Home Page — The organization for professional SF&F writers; has tons of excellent information

• HWA Home Page — The organization for professional horror writers

• The SFWA Bulletin used to be what SFWAns read to keep up, but has gone defunct. If you find old issues they still have plenty of good advice.

• Shhh! A Sliver of The Secret to Selling SF

• Query Etiquette - How Long is Too Long? How long should and editor have your manuscript before you query about it...

• Top Ten Rules for Writing from a bunch of authors

• Umberto Eco's Rules for Writing

• David Brin's writing advice

• Writing Assault and Why You Should Avoid It

• Writing Careers: The Business Behind Becoming an Author

• Howard V. Hendrix's advice to new writers — special to Critters

• Interviews with writers about writing

• George Scithers and Darrell Schweitzer on Submitting — aka Weird Tales guidelines; very informative.

• Jeffrey Carver's page on how to write SF: "Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy" is a free online course for young writers, created by SF author Jeffrey A. Carver. Useful to aspiring writers of all ages, it covers the fundamental skills needed to write successful SF and fantasy stories.

• Jeffrey Carver's advice to aspiring writers

• Holly Lisle's page

• Liz Holliday's two most common reasons for rejecting stories

• Critter Dave Felts's review of the Writers of the Future workshop

• MZB's Advice to New Writers: and MZB's What is a Short Story?

• Review of the Infamous Clarion Workshop, by Lucy Snyder and Nalo Hopkinson

• Clarion Workshop Review by Michael A. Burstein

• Proper Manuscript Format

• More on Manuscript Format from Rob Sawyer

• John Stith's Manuscript Format Tips and other tips

• Characterization Tips from C. J. Cherryh

• Other Tips from C. J. Cherryh

• Michael Burstein tells a Fascinating Tale of a First Sale & Hugo Nomination

• Best Ever Readers Poll — favorite books as voted on by readers

• A letter from Stephen King's agent about protecting electronic rights

• Astouding award for Best New Writer info

• The Right to Read — The father of the Free Software Foundation makes his case with a science fiction story

• Locus Index — a comprehensive index to authors and stories

• The Internet Speculative Fiction Database — another index of authors & their works

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Other Workshops

• Well, I don't really have a source any more for a good list of other good online workshop. Google is your friend.

• CritFinder — Find or announce a local in-person workshop

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Market Info

Where to submit and how long you'll end up waiting...

Well, I don't really have a good list any more. These sites seem to come and go.

Be sure to note how up-to-date any given list is — conditions change rapidly (markets die, etc.).

• Duotrope's Digest market list Charges a fee. You may be better with Google for free:

• Google

[Library: Critiquing| Forum | Tools| Writing | Workshops | Markets| Other ]

Other References

Some research links of possible interest to SF/F/H writers...

• Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics

• FAQ's from sci.physics

• World building and astronomy links