About
About Lancaster Christian Writers
Who Are We?
Lancaster Christian Writers welcomes writers from all denominations and levels of experience, whether published, on your way, or only beginning. We also accept writers of all genres, both fiction and non-fiction.
Located in Lancaster, PA, our meetings offer spiritual encouragement and prayer, opportunity for manuscript critique, networking with other writers, as well as workshops and guest authors.
Meet the Coordinator
Cheryl has been a member of LCW since 2010 and has contributed through devotionals and a workshop. She has ministered in more than a dozen different nations including the U.S., mostly through Youth With A Mission (YWAM). She served on staff with Arts With A Mission at YWAM’s Twin Oaks Ranch near Tyler, Texas and YWAM’s School of Writing, in Texas and Hawaii’s Big Island where she helped to mentor budding authors of all ages. She also served as a team journalist for a five-week medical outreach team to Papua New Guinea with YWAM’S Mercy Ships in 2017.
God has called Cheryl to be a storyteller. However, over the years, she has also created a potpourri of scripts, poems, and short stories and now writes an eclectic mix of devotionals, magazine articles, and occasional humor pieces. Her writing encourages, admonishes, teaches, and just plain entertains. Visit Cheryl’s website at: https://cheryllynneweber.com/
Upcoming Meetings
We meet on the 3rd Saturday morning of every other month from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.
Locations for 2024 are as follows:
March, July, and November:
Petra Church, 565, Airport Road, New Holland, PA 17557
January, May, September:
May: Petra Church, 565, Airport Road, New Holland, PA 17557
September: TBA
*ZOOM availability is now an option for those who cannot attend in person.
Questions? Contact our director, Cheryl Weber.
Critique Group Guidelines
Critique Group Guidelines
As a Christian ministry, LCW is primarily oriented to training and critiquing writers interested in the booming Christian inspirational market. Meetings begin with a devotional and prayer. All manuscripts for critique must subscribe to general CBA guidelines, avoiding foul language, racist stereotypes, or explicit sexual material.
We ask that writers come to at least one meeting before submitting a piece for critique. This allows you to observe and understand the critique process as well as decide whether our group is right for you.
The Critique Process
Critiquing is done through a process of peer review. Submissions may be fiction or nonfiction, articles or chapters of a book. Bring your submission printed out along with at least six copies for peer review and feedback. Submit no more than 1500 words per month.
The person sitting to your left will read the submission aloud while the group looks over the piece. Critiquing will begin with the person seated to the reader’s left and continue around the circle, finishing with the reader. The writer of the submission being read does not respond to peer critique, but may answer direct questions if clarification is needed.
Rule of thumb: If only one person in the group gives a suggestion regarding a change that can be made to your piece, it may be just their preference. But if two or more suggest the same change, it would be wise to follow their advice!
Giving and Receiving Critique
We are here to help each other grow as writers and learn from others’ suggestions and our own mistakes. You may not always agree with your critiquer’s opinion. But listen graciously and without a defensive attitude or response. As Christians, we are to nurture humility and adopt a teachable spirit. Editors will concern themselves far less about your self-esteem than your fellow writers so consider your critique group a training ground.
At the same time, critique as you would like to be critiqued, with graciousness and kindness. We suggest the ‘sandwich’ method of peer review: find something positive to say (bottom slice); follow with your suggestions (filling); finish with another positive statement (top slice). The bottom line is that even the most experienced writer benefits from a fresh viewpoint, and successful authors are those who have learned to listen to suggestions.