
A critique group can make or break your writing. And here’s the rub–your group might not even realize the damage they are inflicting. Bestselling author Kathleen Baldwin will give you the tools you need to build a Healthy Supportive Critique Group geared for mutual success. We will practice Kathleen’s prove critique methods, and as a result, some of the members may choose to form an online critique group.

“Master of the unexpected,” Kathleen Baldwin, is a Wall Street Journal, #1 Barnes & Noble, and Amazon bestselling author who enchants readers worldwide with over 650,000 books in the hands of readers around the globe. A Japanese publisher adapted one of her novels into a manga. Ian Bryce, producer of Transformers, optioned her series for film.
Kathleen loves real life adventures. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, tackled white water on the Colorado, survival camped alone in the desert and mountains, and inadvertently slept beside a mountain lion. She’s married to her very own hero and raised four adventurous children.
Kathleen’s alternate history for teens, A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS, was a Junior Library Guild selection. The New York Times called it “enticing from the first sentence.” Kansas State NEA gave it a starred review in their “Best of the Best” for High Schools. It was awarded the Spirit of Texas for middle school reading programs. Scholastic licensed her series for school book fairs, and REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS won a 2018 Booksellers’ Best award. Ian Bryce, producer of Transformers, Saving Private Ryan, and other blockbuster films, optioned the series for film. The series is currently under its fifth film option.
How To Critique Well and Develop a Supportive Critique Group
This was a wonderful two-week introduction to best practices in critiquing, whether with one-on-one Critique Partners or in ongoing Critique Groups, by document swaps or in-person reading.
Kathleen is a fabulous teacher! She led us through instructive lessons, challenging reflections, and hands-on exercises, with a final project of swapping critiques, with the benefit of her feedback and insights.
Highly recommended!
© 2026 Margie Lawson, all rights reserved.