The Writing Buddy/Critique Partner Matchmaking Program
Inside the Writer’s Way Membership - doors open until June 11, 2025
The Writing Buddy & Critique Partner Matchmaking Program is a thoughtful, values-based system that pairs writers with aligned and COMPATIBLE partners for accountability, creative support, and/or manuscript feedback.
Whether you're looking for a writing bestie, a CP, or both, we've got you. We'll match you people so you can stay motivated, inspired, and on track.
If you've ever asked yourself... where do I find writing friends? Where do I find someone I vibe with? How can I find a fellow writer who GETS me? This program isn’t about just finding any partner. It’s about finding a well-matched one: someone who aligns with your creative interests and personality.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
What is a Writing Buddy?
Writing Buddy - also called Accountability Buddy, Writing Partner, Creative Companion, Writing Bestie, Cheerleader, Creative Collaborator.... whatever suits your fancy!
The main goal is a supportive relationship with another writer - not to swap pages
You check in, cheer each other on, and talk goals
Great for motivation, consistency & emotional support
Can still brainstorm/get help on story -related thing
Think of it like having a writing bestie: someone who gets it, and keeps you doing the work—especially when it gets hard.
This kind of relationship is powerful for taking yourself seriously.
You can still talk story & craft with this person! But the main goal isn’t that you have to swap pages and offer feedback/critique.
What is a Critique Partner?
Critique Partner - feedback partner, developmental partner. You choose your terms!
Feedback & craft support on pages
You swap pages and give feedback
Talk plot, pacing, characters, and revision ideas
Great for writers ready to improve their work and grow their craft
A good CP doesn’t just tell you what works or what doesn’t. They help you become a better writer.
They challenge and support you and help you level up. They’re your first reader, your revision brainstormer, your “this part isn’t landing yet” truth-teller. Think of them as a creative partner.
What is the timeline of the matching?
Good question!
Here’s how it works:
June 4 – Doors to The Writer’s Way Membership open! This is your chance to join and participate in the upcoming matching round.
June 6 – Surveys go live inside the membership. You’ll get access to both the Writing Buddy and Critique Partner forms to fill out based on your preferences.
June 11 – Doors close to the membership. After this date, no new members will be accepted—and we don’t know when it will open again. (For reference, the last time doors were open was September 2024.)
June 18 – Final day to fill out your surveys. This is your deadline to be considered for this round of matching.
June 19–July 2 – Our team carefully reviews submissions and works on creating thoughtful matches.
Early July – Matches will be announced! You'll receive your partner(s) and get access to the matching portal.
Where do I find the survey questions and how do I fill them out?
You’ll find a preview of all the Writing Buddy and Critique Partner questions inside the membership portal. This lets you take your time to reflect, draft your answers, and even write them in a separate doc before submitting.
The official surveys are hosted on Google Forms, and the links will go live on June 6. When you're ready, just copy and paste your answers into the form and hit submit!
✨ We highly recommend reading through the questions in advance so you can answer thoughtfully—these matches are meant to last, and the more intentional your answers, the better your match.
Why are you specifying between Writing Buddies and CPs for the matchmaking program?
Every writer is at a different stage in their journey. Some are still learning their voice, want to practice in private, and simply aren’t ready to share their art with others.
Those writers want to make writer relationships, but there aren’t a lot of spaces online for this.
Most spaces are built to help CPs match - which is great! But that often leaves writers who just want writer friends feeling left out.
It’s also important for me to note:
Sharing our writing is extremely vulnerable. I see a lot of writers in my practice who shared “baby art” and had poor experiences, and so they were left traumatized & put writing away for a long time.
Some writers want to keep their work close to them as they build confidence and skills.
I want to welcome those writers into this space. I want them to find creative relationships too.
What if I am not sure which I want? I might want a CP in the future, but I don’t know yet.
Totally valid! A lot of writers are in this place of uncertainty.
If this is you, I recommend signing up for a Writing Buddy first, depending on your goals. You can reach out to a CP in the future (by checking out the profiles of others in the community).
How does the matching process work?
How the Matching Process Works
Whether you’re looking for an accountability buddy, a critique partner, or both, our goal is to match you with someone whose writing goals, communication style, and experience level complement yours.
Step 1: Watch the Masterclass To Set Yourself Up for Success With Your Future Buddies
Watch "How to Be a Good Writing Buddy/CP Masterclass" on the membership portal. This is an hour masterclass required to watch in order to participate in the program. This ensures a strong foundation for everyone entering a match.
Step 2: Watch the Instructions Video to Know What to Expect
Watch the "Instructions on Writing Buddy/CP Matching" video (about 10 minutes long) so you know what to expect in the matchmaking process.
Step 3: Fill Out the Form (s)
Once you sign up for the membership, you’ll receive an in-depth intake questionnaire. This is the most important part of the process, so take your time!
We’ll ask about:
Your genre(s) and tone/style
Your current writing project(s)
Your experience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
What kind of support you’re looking for (accountability, critique, co-working, etc.)
How often you want to check in or swap work
Your preferred communication style (email, Zoom, messaging, etc.)
Your availability and time zone
Any dealbreakers or preferences (e.g., no horror, needs to be neurodivergent-friendly, etc.)
Step 4: We Review & Match You Thoughtfully
Using the information from the forms, we’ll match you with someone who aligns well with your writing journey. It’s not just about genre—it’s about pacing, tone, goals, and personality fit.
We look for:
Similar or complementary goals and commitment level
Compatible communication preferences
Overlapping writing stages (e.g., both in drafting or revising)
Genre matches or openness to cross-genre feedback
A balance of give and take in critique expectations
Step 5: You Get Introduced
Once you’re matched, you’ll receive an introduction email or message connecting you and your potential buddy/CP. This includes:
The answers your match provided in the survey
A checklist or guide to help you navigate the first meeting (such as goal-setting prompts or boundary-setting tips)
Step 6: Trial Period (Optional)
You are free to do a 2- to 4-week trial period. During this time:
Schedule at least one live check-in (Zoom, call, or messaging)
Share a small writing sample (if critique is part of your agreement)
Assess how well you communicate and support each other
Rematches and Re-Matching Policy
Sometimes partnerships just don’t work out. That’s okay! If you and your buddy are mismatched or your schedules change, you can go to the online portal for members and check out other profiles. If you’d like more matches in the future, you are responsible for browsing other members in the portal and reaching out to them.
How many matches can I get?
To help everyone create strong, meaningful connections, we cap one-on-one matches at 4 total per person. You can let us know how you'd like those split between writing buddies and critique partners.
If you're also interested in being part of a small group (3–4 people), you'll have the option to indicate that! Group matches are a great way to get extra support and community vibes — and you can opt in without it affecting your 1:1 match cap.
We can’t guarantee group matches for everyone, but we’ll absolutely try to make it work when we have compatible groups.
Is this program for all writers, or do I need to be at a certain level?
Writers at all levels are welcome! We ask about your experience level to ensure you’re matched with someone compatible.
Can I participate if I haven't finished my draft yet?
Yes! Writing Buddy matches are perfect for writers at any stage — from idea to final draft. Critique Partner matching is better suited if you have pages ready (or nearly ready) to exchange, but you don’t need to be done with a draft to participate.
Are all genres welcome? I write [short stories, cookbooks, graphic novels, etc]
Yes! Writers of all genres and formats are welcome to join the program—whether you’re working on fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, screenplays, graphic novels, or even cookbooks. We celebrate creative diversity and believe every writer deserves community and support.
That said, some genres are more common than others, so while we do our best to match you with someone who shares similar interests, we can’t always guarantee a perfect genre match—especially for highly specialized formats like cookbooks, graphic novels, or experimental hybrid work.
In these cases, we focus on matching you with someone who:
Respects and appreciates your format
Shares similar writing goals or feedback needs
Is open to learning about or working outside their usual genre
You can also specify if a genre match is important to you, and we’ll take that into account when matching.
What if my buddy and I don't click?
No worries! Not every match will be perfect. We encourage you to allow time for your buddy/CP to make a true relationship first, before moving on. If you'd like a new match, you can head to the online portal and browse other members to reach out to new folks.
What kind of things should my buddy and I talk about?
This varies by partnership. We ask lots of questions about this in the questionnaire so we can match you with someone who is compatible.
Some common things include:
Setting writing goals & keeping each other accountable
Checking in on progress
Swapping pages for feedback (if you get a CP, specifically)
Co-working or writing sprints
Talking through plot problems or mindset blocks
Brainstorming
Can I get new matches later on?
While we can’t guarantee when the next round will open, we aim to offer it every 2–3 months. In the meantime, you can always browse and connect with others via the portal.
What is the Writing Buddy/CP Portal?
It’s a searchable, private space on our membereshop portal where you can view other writers’ survey answers and reach out to anyone who feels like a good fit. Think of it as a bonus matchmaking tool you can use anytime.
Do I have to share my survey answers on the portal?
No. You'll have the option to opt in to have your profile included in the private membership portal. This gives you the opportunity to be discovered for future matches, even beyond this current round. Since we aren't guaranteeing that we'll offer the matchmaking program again, this is a great option for keeping the door open for new writing buddies later on.
If you prefer to stay more private, you can opt out, and your responses will only be used for your initial match.
If you do choose to opt in, you can still stay anonymous. You’re welcome to use a nickname or pen name, and we recommend using an email that doesn’t include your real name if anonymity is important to you.
Do I have to be an active Writer's Way Community member to participate in the matching program?
Yes. Due to the labor-intensive work of matching, and the security needs involved, you must be an active member.
Why is the Writing Buddy/Critique Partner Matching only available inside the membership?
Security, baby! Because relationships work best in a trusted, shared space. Hosting the program inside the community allows for more accountability, safety, and ease of communication, and ensures everyone has access to the portal and shared resources in a closed environment (aka, not where the whole internet can see).
Is my information safe on the portal?
The portal is only accessible to people who’ve opted into the community, so it's a secure space.
What if I don't know how to answer some of the questions on the questionnaire?
That’s totally okay. Just be honest—there are no wrong answers. The more clarity you have, the easier it is to match you, but we understand that creative journeys evolve.
Do you screen or vet participants?
All members are required to watch the “How to Be a Good Buddy/CP” Masterclass before participating the matching program, and they're required to watch the Instructions Video.
That said, we don’t do background checks or monitor conversations — you are responsible for your own boundaries and decisions.
That’s also why participation is only open to active members of The Writer’s Way community. Limiting matches to paying members helps create a secure, intentional space—so you’re not being paired with random internet strangers. It ensures that everyone involved has taken a clear step to watch the masterclass, answer the surveys intentionally, and join a values-aligned community. This added layer of protection helps reduce the risk of inappropriate behavior, ghosting, or mismatched expectations, and increases the likelihood that you're connecting with respectful and committed writers.
Will someone monitor the relationships or mediate if there’s a conflict?
No. These partnerships are self-directed. You are responsible for your own communication, boundaries, and relationship. We trust our members to act with integrity and respect as adults.
What if I cancel my membership after I've gotten a match? Am I allowed to keep my match?
Yes. These matches are your relationships -- you can stay in contact with anyone you've been matched with whether or not you are an active community member!
That said, we'll remove your profile from the members portal, and you won't be able to browse more matches since you won't have access to the portal.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your membership at any time! Just keep in mind that billing is done on a 2-month, 3-month, or yearly cycle (depending on the plan you chose). When you cancel, your membership will remain active until the end of your current billing period. After that, you won’t be charged again and your access will end.
Do you offer refunds?
Because of the in-depth nature of the matching process and the instant access you receive to all materials inside the membership portal—including expert calls, masterclasses, and community resources—we do not offer refunds. We’ve built this program to provide immediate value from day one, and much of the work to match you thoughtfully begins as soon as you join. Thanks for understanding!
