Looking for Critique Partner(s) - YA Fantasy/RomCom graphic novel
Hello! I'm a 33F writer and illustrator of graphic novels (and some prose, but currently drafting graphic novels) looking for 1-3 critique partners (either separately or as a group.)
- Genre/s: Don't need to be Graphic Novels!! I'm most interested in fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery--but not opposed to horror and romance where they intersect with the above. I'm not a good fit for litfic or most contemporary settings (unless they're urban fantasy.)
- Goals/expectations/commitment: I'd love to find a partner or a group that could meet monthly, either over zoom/discord or email with written feedback. I'm currently seeking big-picture feedback, but will get into the nitty gritty as the project continues. In return, I'm happy to jump into helping you at whatever stage your current project(s) are at!
- Writing/experience level: I'm agented but unpublished, seeking trad pub - currently serializing a project that didn't sell when it went on submission, and posting it on webtoon and other webcomic platforms. Hoping for a partner with a similar experience level - at least a few drafts and revisions under their belt, who are in writing for the long haul.
- Meeting place: Open to zoom, discord, or email.
- [Writing groups only] Max size: 4 (including me) - but also open to one-on-one partnership swaps.
A little about my current project:
Working Title: Crossroads
Genre: Fantasy/RomCom Graphic Novel (currently a script, will become sketched art pages and then final art. I am both the writer and the illustrator.) (I wish it didn't need to be said, but I'm an actual illustrator, not an AI sloppist--clankers need not apply)
Reading level: YA
Word count: ~40k (& that translates into about 250-280 pages of art)
Looking for in a reader: **A reader of graphic novels and familiarity with the format, but not necessarily an artist themselves!**
Currently, I want big-picture feedback on what emotional notes I’m hitting well or what’s falling flat, what’s making sense and what’s not, and how the pacing feels. And then any other feedback that crosses your mind! Eventually I'll also be able to share it in art page form, so critique on how it's hitting as visuals and dialogue takes the place of more traditional line editing.
Pitch: Cirina wants her sister to be able to marry the love of her life, but his family wants nothing to do with them. She knows getting her hands on a one of a kind relic, recently arrived in town, is guaranteed to raise their favor with those in power—and she’s ready to trade everything to get her hands on it. But when it disappears from under her fingertips, she’s forced to search the city of spies and magicians from top to bottom to steal it back.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the would-be engagement, his best friend Robin suspects the worst of Cirina’s sister and her designs on Robin’s friend. Robin is determined to get her hands on the relic before Cirina, and she’s hoping to do so without Cirina noticing that Robin has the crush of a lifetime on her.
The girls first work against each other, and ultimately join forces in their hunt for the relic that could make their loved ones dreams come true: and the longer they spend together, the harder it becomes to fight their attraction to each other.
(Additional notes: magic is rampant throughout the world, the main characters are lesbians, and the town is a melting pot of all their world’s different magical & human races, cultures, and magics. It’s got a DnD flavor but its own lore and magic systems.)
Other examples of my work: My webtoon Things Lost & Missing is a different project than the one I’m talking about here, but can give you an idea of the art style I work in to see if the aesthetic/vibe of my work are something you would connect with. https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/things-lost-missing/list?title_no=1112597