Announcing the Fiction Writer's Clinic

Good day brilliant writers, I’m proud to introduce the Fiction Writer’s Clinic.

Are you a serious short story writer? If you’re on Substack, you’ve seen the “article” option when composing a new piece when it should say “story.” Let’s change that.

As a published author and short story writer who has experienced the struggles of publishing in my career, one of the most prudent tools to fine-tune a story for submission is peer-to-peer critiques of your work. Getting that, however, remains elusive—unless you have a community of writers willing to look at your prose.

While story reviewing platforms exist, most are too noisy and the reviews are usually subpar. The Fiction Writer’s Clinic is a private reviewing space here on Substack (there will be kinks, but bear with me).

If you have drafts you want polished for submission, this is the arena to make it happen. Free.

Here’s how the Fiction Writer’s Clinic works:

1. We are only accepting limited writers for now. Go here to sign up: https://fictionwritersclinic.substack.com/ or click the button below.

2. Include a link to a story on Substack and tell us where you’ve published (if you haven’t, don’t worry). This is only to get a vibe on your style and to better match you with reviewers. We will notify writers if we select them. We plan on accepting more writers as this concept grows.

3. All members will critique 1-2 curated draft stories per month, and we’ll have one meeting per month to discuss your work. Submitted stories will use Google Docs’ links to keep your work private, and they will not appear in Substack or Ink Outside the Margin’s homepage, unless you publish them.

This is a private writer’s roundtable to help make our work better and help get you published. I look forward to reading your work.

The Fiction Writer’s Clinic Guidelines

Welcome to the Fiction Writer’s Clinic. Our concept is simple: to help each other become better writers through reflective reading and genuine critique.

Critique the Work, Not the Writer

Respond to the writing itself. Avoid biased judgments, assumptions, or commentary about the author.

Be Truthful and Polite

Reflective criticism beats praise alone. Offer observations, but with respect and generosity.

Support Confidentiality

Do not distribute, repost, or share another writer’s work without permission.

Leave Your Ego at the Door

Writers are here to learn. Provide curious feedback, be inspiring.

Our Philosophy

We are not here for compliments, but to develop as writers. Respect words, be generous.

Get to know me, read my work, subscribe to my publication—it’s free.