CritiqueMatch Announcement:

Hello!

For the past seven years, CritiqueMatch has been a thriving, free platform where writers connect, exchange feedback, and grow together. With millions of critiques exchanged, we have remained committed to privacy, never monetizing your data or using it to train AI models.

As our community continues to grow, we’re excited to introduce our new Freemium Model, our updated Terms of Service and new features that make CritiqueMatch even more valuable:

🌍 Search by Language – Connect with writers in your preferred language and build stronger local writing communities.

💰Hire Pro-Critiquers with NO platform fees – Now you can request services from Pro-Critiquers and pay them outside the CritiqueMatch platform, without any platform fees. 

📝 Google Docs Integration (Coming Soon!) – We’re working on integrating Google Docs directly into the platform, providing a more seamless and advanced editing experience for critiques and collaboration.

⚙️We’ve also made significant improvements in stability and performance over the past few weeks—investing in a stronger infrastructure to support our growing user base. 

However, maintaining and further enhancing CritiqueMatch requires ongoing resources–with our monthly server costs alone ranging several thousands of dollars per month.

NEW FREEMIUM PRICING MODEL

To sustain and continue improving the platform, we are introducing a subscription model at a small fee of $10 per month or $8.33 per month (16% off) with the annual plan. There will be a free trial period for all users, so you can explore the benefits before committing. 

This change will allow us to:
✅ Keep CritiqueMatch running smoothly as the community continues to grow 
✅ Continue to enhance platform features and user experience
✅ Foster a dedicated and engaged writer community

What if you don’t want a subscription after the free trial?
We understand that not everyone may choose to subscribe, and we want to keep CritiqueMatch open to as many writers as possible. Even without a paid plan, you can stay on a Free plan and still:
✨ Be part of the community by being invited as a beta reader and provide critiques.
✨ Find professional editors and connect with them directly.
✨ Have the opportunity to become a Pro-Critiquer and offer your services.

What happens to my current and past work?

Your work will not be deleted. You can access your work and the full platform features during a Free trial. 

A small contribution from each member will ensure CritiqueMatch remains the best place for writers to connect and grow.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

Happy writing,
The CritiqueMatch Team

We are excited to introduce the Positivity Review service by our Pro-Critiquers! 

What is a positivity review?

Unlike a critique, which tends to average 90% criticism and 10% praise, a Positivity Review by a Pro-Critiquer is the opposite: it is 90% focused on what the author does well and only 10% focused on constructive criticism.

Why would an author need a Positivity Review? 

Authors are often told what they can improve, but are infrequently told what they do best. Whether an author is good at setting, characterization, pacing, prose, etc., it is important for them to be aware of their strengths and to lean into them! After all, it is what they excel at that will lure and keep readers hooked into their books.

Is it just paying for false praise?

No! No matter their level of writing experience, authors are likely to be stronger in some writing aspects than others. It is important for them to identify their strengths throughout all stages of their writing careers.

How do I book a Positivity Review?

The following Pro-Critiquers now offer Positivity Reviews! You can book them directly under Hire Professionals/ Search Pro-Critiquers, and by selecting the "beta-reading" service type for a Positivity Review. Just be sure to mention in your order, or through messages to Pros, that you are looking for a Positivity Review!

Message the Pros directly to reserve your spot today!

Pro-Critiquers Offering Positivity Reviews:

Jackie H.

Victoria B.

Katharine B.

 We are thrilled to announce the results of the March 2022 FictionFive Contest!

And the winners are… drum roll please…

We are thrilled to announce the results of the October 2021 FictionFive Contest!

And the winners are… drum roll please…

We are thrilled to announce the results of the March 2021 FictionFive Contest!

And the winner is… drum roll please…

By: Gemma Martiskainen

Creating a plausible world is a challenge unique to fantasy. In other genres of fiction, you work within the parameters of Earth, and the reader will immediately know how the society runs. The setting is familiar to them, so you don't need to spend much time explaining the characters' surroundings. But when you build your own world, you must slow down. For the reader to empathize with the characters, they must understand the world the characters live in. As the writer, you should try to make the world look like it could really exist.

By: Daisya Spencer

Okay, I’m going to get a little transparent here. Burnout is something that I struggle with and I know I’m not the first person, nor will ever be the last, that struggles with this. The reason I am saying this out loud is to 1) hold myself more accountable and 2) to look back on this moment where, in these rare moments, I am being completely transparent with myself. 

I remember a conversation I had with a fellow student during my community college days. We had a class together. He wasn’t very much of a writer but was incredibly insightful in that he knew what to say. Anyway, I relayed to him the issues that I was having with my writing, and how I mentally wanted to finish a certain work-in-progress on time. His response, although not verbatim, “Why the rush? Just have fun with it.” And he was right.