Aug 3, 2020
Author Interview Series: J M Lasley
The CritiqueMatch contest coordinator “sat down” for a virtual chat with J M Lasley, the winner of the 1st FictionFive Contest.
CM: Congratulations on being the winner of the 1st CritiqueMatch FictionFive Contest! Tell us, what emotions are going through your head right now?
JML: Honestly, the first thing that went through my head when I got the announcement was, is this real? I had to reread the first paragraph a few times before it sunk in what it was saying. I honestly could not believe that I had won. It is such a great feeling! With all the chaos of this year, it was exactly the kind of good news I needed. I’m surprised, pleased, grateful, humbled, and excited for the future.
Jul 31, 2020
FictionFive Contest - Results!
We are thrilled to announce the results of the 1st CritiqueMatch FictionFive Contest!
And the winner is… drum roll please…
Jul 1, 2020
FictionFive Contest
FictionFive Contest for Unpublished Writers!
- Top 3 finalists in each genre category: feedback from a developmental editor.
- All entrants: feedback from 5 top-rated writers on CritiqueMatch.
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Romance
- Thriller
- Mystery
Do you have questions? Email us here.
- In the first round, 5 top-rated CritiqueMatch peer writers in your genre will judge each entry. The lowest of the five scores will be dropped and the rest four scores will be averaged to create the final score of the first round.
- The top 3 entries in each category will advance to the second round.
- In the second round, a developmental editor will score each entry. The editor’s score, on top of the first round’s score, will determine the final score and the winning entry for the top prize in the contest.
- If there is a tie for the winning entry or the top 3 entries in each category, we will utilize the dropped score from the first round and/or an additional editor’s score, if necessary.
- Contest participants must be members of CritiqueMatch (sign up is free).
- Submit the first 1,500 words of your manuscript. If more than 1,500 words are submitted, only the first 1,500 words will be judged. Please submit a minimum of 1,000 words.
- Format: all stories must be submitted by their author in Times New Roman 12 font and double-spaced text.
- No synopsis is required.
- You can submit multiple stories in the contest, one per each $25 fee, but we ask that you do not submit the same story more than once.
- We currently only accept electronic submissions of works in English language.
- All submissions must be previously unpublished and must be your own work (Fan fiction is not eligible). Your manuscript can be unfinished.
- All entries must be received electronically by June 30, 2020 11:59p.m. EST.
- A submission is considered complete only when the payment has been received.
- All entries are final. No revisions are accepted.
- We cannot process refunds once an entry has been received.
- The $25 entry fee helps cover the administrative cost of the contest.
- We’ll recognize 3 finalists in each of the Five Fiction categories: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Mystery. If your story crosses over several genres, we ask that you select the genre that is the most important to your plot/characters.
- Authors retain all rights to their work. The judging will be conducted via the secure CritiqueMatch platform and the authors’ work will not be accessible to the judges once judging is completed.
- CritiqueMatch reserves the right to cancel the contest if no more than 5 entries were received in each of the aforementioned categories. Only in this case, CritiqueMatch will provide refunds to contest entrants.
- If you recognize the submission you were assigned to judge, please let us know and we will reassign a submission to you.
- CritiqueMatch’s Terms of Service apply to the competition participants.
- No cash substitution, transfers or assignments of prize allowed. All expenses, including taxes, relating to the winner's gift card, are the sole responsibility of the winner. By accepting a prize, the winner releases CritiqueMatch from any and all liability for any loss, harm, damages, cost or expense, including without limitation property damages, personal injury and/or death, arising out of participation in this contest or the acceptance of the prize. If, for any reason, (including unauthorized intervention, technical failures, or any other cause beyond the control of CritiqueMatch which affects the administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this contest), the contest is not capable of being conducted as described in these rules, CritiqueMatch shall have the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest.
- Within approximately thirty (30) days after confirmation of the finalists, CritiqueMatch will provide all participants their prizes.
- All participants will be individually notified of the results by e-mail.
- This contest is void where prohibited by law.
Jun 22, 2020
We are featured in Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers!
We are thrilled to announce that CritiqueMatch has been named one of the “101 Best Websites for Writers” in the newest issue of Writer’s Digest (May/June 2020) in the “Writing Communities” category!
First and foremost, we would like to thank our members who joined the CritiqueMatch community, trusted our mission and nominated us to Writer’s Digest! It’s our members’ passion for writing and their willingness to help each other that are the building blocks of our global platform.
As the time of this post, more than 3,000 writers and beta readers from 60 countries have joined CritiqueMatch, have exchanged more than 15,000 critiques, and have written more than 350,000 comments, helping other fellow members while growing their skills as writers, editors and beta readers.
We are thrilled by what we have achieved and offered to the writing community in our first 1.5 years of service!
Thus: a huge thank you!
These achievements and the recognition from Writers Digest are boosting our enthusiasm as we continue to improve our platform—thanks also to the great feedback we receive from our users.
We are currently working hard to configure the implementation of the “Pro-Critiquer” feature, which will allow active users with high ratings to apply for and be able to get paid for critiquing services.
This feature is on top of the existing website built, which means the platform will continue to be free for users looking to find critique partners and beta readers and exchanging their work.
Our goal is to empower your voice by continuing to provide a free space where anyone can find critique partners and beta readers, grow their skills, be vetted by the community and be able to get paid while pursuing their passion.
If you’re still not a member, join us today for free!
Best,
CritiqueMatch Team
