DraftMates FAQ​​​

​Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

​

What is DraftMates?

DraftMates is the Ohio Writers Association's long-form critique partnership program. It connects OWA members with one or more writers for ongoing feedback on novels, memoirs, nonfiction books, screenplays, and other book-length writing projects.

Unlike a single critique session, DraftMates is designed to support writers throughout an entire manuscript.

​

How is DraftMates different from Peer Critique?

Our monthly Peer Critique sessions allow writers to submit up to 7,000 words for feedback during a single meeting.

DraftMates is intended for larger projects that benefit from ongoing critique. Members work with the same critique partners over time, allowing readers to become familiar with the manuscript and provide feedback on the work as a whole.

​

Who can participate?

DraftMates is open to Ohio Writers Association members.

Whether you're writing your first novel or your fifth nonfiction book, the program is designed for writers who want consistent, constructive feedback on a long-form project.

​

What kinds of writing projects are appropriate?

DraftMates welcomes a variety of long-form projects, including:

• Novels 

• Memoirs 

• Nonfiction books 

• Screenplays 

• Collections with an overarching structure 

• Other long-form manuscripts

​

How are groups formed?

OWA helps connect members who are looking for critique partners.

Whenever possible, we'll try to match writers based on factors such as genre, writing goals, experience level, and feedback preferences. Finding the right critique partnership is a lot like dating—it may take time to find the best fit.

​

How many people are in a DraftMates group?

Groups can be as small as two writers or include several members.

There is no required group size. The best group is one where everyone can consistently participate and provide thoughtful feedback.

​

How do I submit my work for feedback?

Each group decides its own schedule.

Some groups meet weekly, others every two weeks, and some meet monthly. The goal is to establish a pace that everyone can realistically maintain.

​

How much writing should we exchange?

There is no required word count.

Some groups exchange:

• One chapter each week 

• Approximately 7,000 words each month 

• 10,000 words every two weeks 

• Entire manuscripts over several months 

Your group should choose a pace that works for everyone.

 

What kind of feedback should we give?

Every group should discuss expectations before exchanging pages.

Some writers want reader-based feedback, which focuses on the reader's experience:

• Where did you get confused? 

• What kept your attention? 

• Which characters stood out? 

Others prefer editor-based feedback, which focuses on craft, genre conventions, story structure, and publication readiness.

Many groups choose a combination of both.

​

Should we line edit each other's work?

That's entirely up to your group.

Most DraftMates partnerships focus primarily on developmental feedback, such as plot, pacing, character development, themes, organization, and overall structure.

If your group chooses to provide sentence-level edits, it's often more effective to leave comments directly in the manuscript rather than spending meeting time discussing every grammar or punctuation correction.

​

How long should a DraftMates partnership last?

Groups are encouraged to establish an end date or milestone before they begin.

Examples include:

• Reviewing everyone's manuscript 

• Meeting for three months 

• Meeting for six months 

• Reaching a predetermined writing goal 

Having a defined commitment often makes participation easier for everyone. Groups can always choose to continue afterward.

​

How should we share manuscripts?

Each group decides what works best.

Many writers use:

• Microsoft Word 

• Google Docs 

• PDF files 

The important thing is that everyone agrees on a format that's easy to read and comment on.

​

How should we communicate between meetings?

That's up to your group.

Common options include:

• Email 

• Zoom 

• Discord 

• Facebook Messenger 

• Group text messages 

Choose whatever method works best for your members.

​

Are manuscripts kept confidential?

Yes. DraftMates groups are expected to treat manuscripts as private, unpublished work.

Members should not share another writer's manuscript or discuss it outside the group without the author's permission.

​

What happens if someone falls behind?

Life happens.

Each group should discuss expectations before beginning, including how missed deadlines or extended absences will be handled. Having these conversations early helps prevent misunderstandings later.

​

What's the most important rule of DraftMates?

The goal of critique is to help another writer improve—not to prove how much you know.

Good critiques should:

• Recognize what is working well. 

• Be specific and constructive. 

• Focus on the writing rather than the writer. 

• Offer suggestions rather than commands. 

• Leave the writer feeling motivated to continue. 

The best critique groups don't just produce stronger manuscripts—they help writers finish them.

​

Do I have to stay with the same group forever?

No.

DraftMates partnerships begin with an initial commitment, but once that commitment has ended, members are free to continue together, form new groups, or participate in other OWA programs.

The goal is to help writers find supportive critique relationships that work for them.

​

Other Questions?

Please contact us at info@ohiowriters.org. We hope to see you at the next workshop!