WHAT TO EXPECT

Crit work is care work. It is here that we’ll flex our constructive crit muscle by asking questions, sharing insights, and coaxing each other to ward our best work. Together we’ll discover what hurts and what spurs us each back to the job. As we work across cultures, and genres, we’ll have the opportunity to reflect on our ideal audiences; our roles, and limitations, as critique participants; and how to responsibly, and effectively, guard each other’s backs.

In addition to our weekly crit meetings, we’re going to dig deep into process and craft. In these one-off craft sessions we’ll pull from existing texts to expand our understanding of the power of language and the work that we do.

Craft Sessions*

Who is a Workshop & How is Critique?
Text: Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses

Lyrical Wordscapes: Uncovering the rhythm of body and voice
Text: Wrestling With Cadence: Essays on writing and intuition by Dennis Lee

Internal Continuity in World Building aka King William would NEVER say that!
Texts: Prince Faggot by Jordan Tannahill, The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde & Query by Zilla Novikov

Reality Check: In which we talk about money & get mad about art
Texts: How Artists Make Money & How Money Makes Artists by Dave Berry
& The Future of Truth by Werner Herzog

Whitespace & Wonder aka Books aren’t 8.5 by 11 and neither should you
Texts: How I Bend into More by Tea Gerbeza, Cyclettes by Tree Abraham, & We Need A Breathing Tongue Between by Katarina Gotic Damiani

Okay, But, Is It Working? aka Are we going to need eagles to get us out of this jam?
Texts: Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin & Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz & David Hayward

* Subject to change.

Selection Process

As the application period closes on January 31st, 2026, all applicants will receive an email with the same series of questions regarding availability, expectations, access needs, and hopes and anxieties about receiving critique. We’ll take these responses along with the writing samples and statements of interest, and cobble together a compatible team. Ideally, we’re looking for a group that can meet at the same time but, we’re human, you’re human, we’ll figure it out. Genre, subject, and state of completion will not factor in. A short list, and waitlist, of participants will be assembled by February 15th. Sessions will begin in the third week of March (16th-22nd).

Application Requirements

A brief statement outlining the reasons for your interest, that includes a ‘state of the wip’ reckoning, should be sent along with a sample of the project you’re looking to workshop by January 31st. For those who need, or love, boundaries: Limit the text of your email to 500 words.

This workshop is open to anyone systemically, or functionally, excluded from traditional craft education opportunities. while kith focuses primarily on trans, queer, Crip, and sick writers, please DON’T SELF-REJECT. Ultimately, participants will be chosen with constructive cohesion and challenge in mind.

Applications for inclusion will be recorded as proof of eligibility.
No evidence of need is sought or required.

Access Information

If you have access needs during sessions or require text alternatives or adaptations (voice recordings, large/friendly fonts, screen reader accessible files, etc) and are unsure if we can meet them, please get in touch. Likewise, if you have safety concerns or privacy concerns, I want to hear them. Should you want to use a pseudonym, stay camera off, and/or communicate by text only, you won’t be alone.