Welcome to the Tiki Bar

You are probably wondering why I think I'm qualified to offer critiques. Well, why not? Another set of eyes can't hurt. I've been writing, getting critiques and doing critiques for several years. I attended Bonnie Bader's Pitch a Thon in LA. Some people on Verla Kay's Blue Board have said my suggestions were helpful. My two critique groups (one in person and one on line) haven't thrown me out. And best of all, it's free!

Here are some comments about critiques from I did in the past:

"Go to the thread about ..... and take a look at the query Stephanie wrote. I thought it was an excellent example of a tightly written query."
"Stephanie did a great job of tightening your query."
"Thank so much everyone! And particularly Stephanie for the wonderfully succinct version of my wordy synopsis. Brilliant!"
"Stephanie, I just may have to have you sign a release for this. You're good."
"That's great work, Stephanie. Good to know some things in life are still free -- your help being one of them."


For the first Tiki Bar, I'm offering critiques on pitches. Let someone who knows nothing about your story read it and let you know what I get out of it. Pitches are hard for a lot of reasons -- they have to be short, they have to draw your audience in, and you know so much about your story that you can't always tell if the short blurb you've created tells too much, doesn't tell enough, or just fails to do your story justice.


To qualify for a pitch critique, please mention The Tiki Bar in at least one form of social media. I'll trust you to be honest. Then post a comment telling me you want a critique.

The submissions will be open for five days. At the end of the five days, I draw five names, and post those on my blog. Those people will then email me at sltheban@gmail.com. I'll email the critique to you within five days.

Just for the fun of it, each of the participants will also win a virtual tiki drink (have yours non-alcoholic, if you wish). You can request the tiki drink of your choice. This will help us learn which are most desired. After I do the critiques, I'll post the names and tiki drinks won. Here are the possible choices:

Mai tai, pina colada, Singapore sling, zombie, Margarita, Caiparinha, gin pahit, blue Hawaii, mojito, planters punch.

My promise to you is that I will diligently study your work and give you my best thoughts. In turn, I will expect you to accept the critique as it is intended -- one person's opinion, offered for purposes of helping to improve the work, and not to hurt or judge the writer.