PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train FAQ

You can ONLY add your name to the Critique Train Google Doc on the day of the New Draft Challenge & Critique Train. Make sure you write a new PB draft during the challenge first. The Google Doc will be open 24 hours EST.

If the contest is live and you can’t add your name, look for a small pencil (probably toward the top). That should allow you to edit. If you’re on your phone, you might need to upload the free Google doc app.

If you still have trouble, message me and I’ll add you.

The person above you on the Critique Train list will do your critique. If you’re the first person to complete a draft and add your name to the list, I’ll do your critique. 

You’ll critique the person who finishes a picture book draft and adds their name to the Google Doc under yours.

No–you don’t need to send that draft. You’re welcome to send any PB manuscript that could use fresh eyes. You can also let your critiquer know that you’d like a little time to revise before sending–and work out a schedule that’s great for both of you. 

Twitter handles should be listed on the Google Doc. Following each other will make it easier to message and exchange e-mails and details. 

If you have trouble connecting after a day or two, please message me and I’ll do my best to help.

I hope you’ll consider joining Twitter because the PB community is AMAZING with tons of opportunities to meet supportive creatives, discuss craft, learn, share road bumps and successes, and enter giveaways. 

But…you may enter if you’re not on Twitter. I’ll post on Facebook as well and you can shout out DONE on that post and enter your name and Facebook link or e-mail on the Google Doc. 

It’s great if you can send the critique back within a few days…but we all know that life can get busy. Let the writer know your schedule and when to expect the critique. It’s better to work out a longer schedule and give a thoughtful critique than rush your feedback. 

Nope. You’re welcome to flesh out a Storystorm or other idea, use a Plot Clock or other plotting method, do character sketches, research, find great names…pretty much anything other than digging into the actual draft.   

Here’s a PB Critique Checklist I posted on my blog. You can print it out on the side of the page or at the bottom. This is also helpful for editing your own picture books. Happy critiquing and revising!

We all have different strengths–I KNOW you’ll be able to give helpful feedback.

Definitely! I always count my new drafts for PBParty and 12x12PB. And if a PBParty New Draft Challenge falls during NaPiBoWriWee or any other challenge or kidlit writing contest, it could count for them, too. I love the extra push challenges give me and hope PBParty and other awesome challenges help you, too. 

I’ll tweet a fun Critique Train graphic at midnight…right when the challenge starts. You’ll reply DONE there. And then–we’ll celebrate!

I’ll post a 24 hour reminder at midnight…so you know the exact time it will start the next day. Plus, you’ll see the current EST at the top of this page and a countdown to the moment the challenge starts on my Home page.

Critiquers might want to share their strengths and possibly weaknesses (such as meter) to help the writer decide the best manuscript to send.

This is a great way to make new writing friends–and possibly fresh eyes for future manuscript swaps (if you both believe it’s a good match and have the time). 

Follow other participants on Twitter, cheer each other on, and have fun with this challenge. (Hint: More PB writers will probably follow you back if you have things like PB, SCBWI, etc. in your Twitter profile.)

Here’s a great site to find names–I like scrolling down to see the 500 or 1000 top names from the most current available year.