Okay, folks, gather 'round, because I'm about to unleash the most helpful, yet slightly terrifying, event in the writing world: a Critique Swap! 

Think of it as a blind date, but with manuscripts instead of awkward small talk. I know, I know, the thought of someone else dissecting your precious words can be scarier than writer's block itself. But trust me, it's like a literary boot camp – tough, but it'll whip your writing into shape! I've personally benefited from critique swaps so much. 

We're not talking mean-spirited nitpicking here, though. This is about constructive criticism, the kind that helps you polish your prose until it shines brighter than a disco ball. Think of it as getting a sneak peek at what readers really think, before you unleash your masterpiece upon the world. We'll pair you up with another writer, you'll swap, you'll read, you'll give feedback, and you'll receive it. It's a win-win! So, if you're ready to face your fears and take your writing to the next level, then sign up for the Critique Swap! It's like a literary spa day for your story, but instead of cucumber slices, we use helpful comments.

RULES

*Only ONC ENTRIES ALLOWED*

Respect is Key: This is the golden rule. All feedback must be respectful, constructive, and kind. Remember, we're all here to learn and grow, not to tear each other down. Think "helpful coach," not "mean drill sergeant."

Honesty Matters: While kindness is crucial, honesty is equally important. Don't sugarcoat things just to be nice. Politely point out areas that need improvement, but always offer suggestions for how to make them better.

Specifics are Super: Vague feedback is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Instead of saying "I didn't like it," explain why you didn't like it. Give specific examples from the text to illustrate your points. Think "This scene felt rushed because..." instead of "The pacing was off."

Focus on the Craft: Critique the writing, not the writer. Don't make personal comments or judgments. Focus on elements like plot, character development, pacing, dialogue, worldbuilding, and grammar.

Be Timely: Everyone's counting on each other to provide feedback within the agreed-upon timeframe. Don't leave your critique partner hanging! If you need an extension, communicate that clearly and promptly.

No Plagiarism Allowed: This should be a no-brainer, but it's worth repeating. Don't plagiarize anything from the manuscripts you're critiquing. That's just not cool.

GUIDELINES-

1) Pairs will be made either randomly or based on genre preference.

2) Pairs will have to complete the task within 1 week. No extra time can be awarded as ONC itself is a timebound contest.

3) Critiques paired up will have to follow each other's account and their ONC entries to their "CURRENT READ" reading list.

4) Give proper shout out to each other's book on your MB.

5) Paired Critiques are required to read max of 7 chapters. In case less number of chapters, read atleast 3 chapters. However pairing will be done in such way that the partners have almost same length of book published. It'll ensure fairness.

6) Vote on each chapter you read.

7) Leave atleast 5+ inline comments and 1 concluding comment at the end of each chapter. If you're pointing out plotholes, mistakes, area of improvements etc, kindly ensure not to use harsh words and provide insight on how it can be improved. Simply pointing out mistakes is not a thing a writer expects from you. Here comes password-  last word of the title of your onc entry.

8) After task completion, comeback to the chapter in promotion room where your pair was mentioned and leave a comment that you're done with the task.

9) If any difficulty or uneasiness with your paired critique, you can reach out to the host immediately in PROMOTION ROOM GRIEVANCES chapter. I'll make sure its resolved immediately.

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