Hit or miss on the critiques, but the ones that hit HIT. There are some outstanding people on this website, including dozens of traditionally published writers from all backgrounds. It's takes som... See more
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
See what reviewers are saying
Terrible and culturally stunted beta's with limited worldview of literature. This is an awful model, not only is the forum toxic, but it's best to find readers to read your work not writers who are fo... See more
I joined a few years ago and, after having a first bad experience (promised rewards didn't load), I recently put in some more work in preparation for posting a work for critique. After spending EIGHT... See more
Company replied
I've been a member of this site for perhaps 3 years now. During that time I have put three books through it, and got excellent suggestions for improving them. The last one, a thriller, was published... See more
Company details
Information provided by various external sources
Critique Circle is a free online collaborative writing workshop for all genres with an extensive array of features. Improve your writing and meet other writers - Sign-up today!
Contact info
US Highway 220, Iceland
- www.critiquecircle.com
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 66% of negative reviews
Typically takes over 1 month to reply
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Best Critique Writing Site out there
I’ve tried several critique exchange websites over the years and Critique Circle (CC to its loyal users) has got to be the best.
Now, be warned, if you’re looking for a place where people tell you how amazing you are or how awesome your writing is, this is NOT the place for you. But if you want honest feedback from other writers, thorough reviews that are detailed, and like-minded friends from all over the world, then like me, you just may find a home there.
The site is fairly easy to navigate and has made my writing so much better. In addition to weekly critique cycles, there’s also a blog and an active discussion forum. Just watch out for the racist rants that spew from a select few every time someone mentions “sensitivity readers”
I've been a member of this site for 3 years, am a published author and a professional editor.
I've been a member of this site for perhaps 3 years now. During that time I have put three books through it, and got excellent suggestions for improving them. The last one, a thriller, was published in January; hardly any edits were required by the publisher.
I've read the bitter, negative reviews here and my opinion is that they're writers who believed their work was so wonderful that they got upset when they heard the truth. Critique Circle is a place where a writer can improve, in contrast to many other critique sites that merely offer fulsome praise for crummy prose.
I've been using Critique Circle since 2014
I've been using Critique Circle since 2014 and sharing all my stories there. I love it, and while it isn't easy to face criticism, this is something we writers need to face and it's amazing to hear it from your peers. The site works great as well and the mods rock!
great website
great website. you get out what you put in. don't be put off by the people who were dissatisfied with the critiques they received. its a great community of authors and a great place to meet new people.
A Useful Site for Writers to Improve Their Craft
Critique Circle is a site for writers to swap critiques and editorial suggestions. It works on a reciprocal Tit-for-Tat basis. You receive 1-2 credits for writing a 300-word critique, and it costs 3 credits to post your story or chapter.
The site's interface is smooth and stable. I never lost my work on site or had any problems.
I used the site since 2016 and made friends and met many interesting people there.
The site's full functionality is available free of charge. There is a premium version of two levels, which allows creation of private queues and other advantages. I purchased an annual private membership for my last novel, so I could run it in a private queue, which allows only the people I invite to read my manuscript. Everything worked smoothly and I don't regret paying.
There is also an old-style forum on the site.
If you want a platform that will help develop your writing skills this is the place to be.
I mainly write mystery thrillers and have worked with other authors on CC for several years now. Feedback is based on the critter's experience and personal thoughts. Bearing in mind that the site have authors ranging from the brand new to writing, to the traditionally published feed back on work can vary. But I've always found it to be thoughtful and fair, and it's useful to get a wide range of honest feedback that represents the reader audience to develop your own writing skills. I know my skills have improved thanks to this site.
Great site to find critique partners and writing support
If you want to start getting writing feedback from people who don't live with you and/or already like you, CC might be for you. It may take you some time to find your "people" on CC, but stick it out. Find stories or chapters you like and start critiquing. In my first year on CC, I've learned as much from critiquing other people's work as I have from critiques on my own. The site is well-maintained and the admins provide solid oversight.
Having a platform to both learn from…
Having a platform to both learn from reading other authour's critiques and providing your own is such an incredible way to become a better writer.
The credit based tit-for-tat system works well to get readers to your story and provide invaluable feedback as well as toughen your skin.
This is a great site to connect with other writers
This is a great site to connect with other writers. It operates on a tit-for-tat system, where you get feedback from other writers in exchange for giving feedback to them.
The site is very well run and responsive to its members. It's possible to use most features of the site completely free, and the paid version offers valuable extra features for anyone serious about becoming a writer.
I see a few negative reviews on Trustpilot but I notice they are all complaining about other members -- who are just customers of Critique Circle, not representatives of the company.
5 stars from a longtime member
I've been a long-time member and have published a novel I've had critqiued at CritiqueCircle (Youth in Asia, which you can find on Amazon). It's a very well-managed site for serious writers. Writing takes work, which you'll have to do at this site in the form of critiquing other people's work for 'credits' that enable you to post your own work. If you are willing to work on your own writing and help others you'll find it a great site.
I've been a member of CC for over a year
I've been a member of the site for over a year, and my writing has improved so much from the wonderful feedback I've gotten.
It's a site where you exchange crits on other people's stories. Not everyone is going to LOVE your style or story, but you'll find some people you jive with and can follow each other stories.
Fantastic site
Fantastic site, full of helpful people. Obviously nowhere is ever perfect, but if you want to be a better writer this is the place to go.
Bear in mind, you can only post small sections at once, so it can take a long time to work through an entire book. You also need to be willing to reciprocate feedback to other writers.
Overall though, very happy - enough so that I upgraded from the free to the paid version for a year.
Been using the site for years and love it.
I have been there for years. It is the reason I write as well as I do and have continued writing despite many set backs. They are a supportive community of writers who help each other improve and weather the rough waters of publishing.
Let me set your expectations. This site is designed as a community to allow writers to find other writers and easily critique each other's work. It's not a teaching site. It's not a site designed to get you published. However, if you use effectively, it is designed to help you improve your writing making it publishable quality.
On rare occasion you're going to get critiques that aren't helpful. The majority of critiques are very useful, no matter the skill of the critiquer or how much they liked your story. Getting feedback on your stories, seeing how people react, what they understand, what works and what doesn't is a precious resource.
The forums often have useful information on all things related to writing and publishing.
The admins do a wonderful job keeping community amiable and useful. They also do all they can to improve and streamline the site to help writers. You can use the majority of the services for free, but I don't mind helping the site with my yearly payment and I like the perks I get from that.
I highly recommend this site for anyone looking to improve as a writer.
Helpful Forums and Critiques
The forums are a great place to ask questions about the craft or the industry, or even very specific, individual story problems. A non-paid user like me has fewer options for story submissions--I can only post one chapter every two weeks, so getting feedback on a whole novel isn't going to happen in this format. But it's easy to establish relationships with other writers and do manuscript swaps. Other than that, I've gotten great feedback and suggestions to improve my short stories and poetry.
A great hangout for writers
Critique Circle is a phenomenal place for writers to improve their skills. The community is welcoming, and there are some brilliant writers there.
Pretty women wonder where my secret…
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Much better writing websites out there.
For the most part the website is a waste of time. The forums are toxic. The members who do frequent them are very hostile. There's a reason most of their customer's are dissatisfied with them and its ranked only 67 out of 100 writing websites.
Oh, and unsurprisingly, the admins show favoritism to paid subscribers.
Multi-published author here.
I've run several novels through this site, and so far 4 of 5 stories are published under contract. Three were nominated for professional awards, and one actually won an award for literary excellence. This is Iron Sharpening Oron at its best.
Hostile community
I received a wildly defamatory, victim-shaming critique and then a hurl of insults from Patricia Padden, a.k.a Jerseygirl. Not only did the admins allow her review to stand, refusing to take it down, they reprimanded and belittled me and made me stand out as the difficult one. This is anything but a supportive community and I strongly advise against joining such a hostile environment. I’m considering suing them for defamation.

Reply from Critique Circle
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.






