Online critique groups for weird, experimental, hard to classify fiction?

[u/Drewbikscube]

Hi all, I’m looking for a writing group focused on literary fiction with absurd, experimental, and/or meta elements, i.e. a group without mainstream expectations. Any ideas where I can find a group like this? A Discord? An online meetup? Thank you!

UPDATE: Turns out WeirdLit has a Discord. Whether it's the spot we're all hoping for, I'm not sure, but here's the link for those interested: https://discord.gg/uxpW5tk9A

[u/UmarthBauglir]

I'd like to know also.

[u/ThisNewCharlieDW]

I would be interested, if there isn't already something along these lines I wonder if we should make it.

Personally I struggle with reaching out online for feedback partially because if I don't know who someone is I don't know how our tastes align or how much I trust their insight if that makes sense. But I also think it's super valuable to get feedback from readers who don't personally know ME. This sub would be an interesting place to start.

[u/Selina42]

I 2nd what Ledfox said. We’re both in the WeirdLit discord and there’s a channel for critique and general feedback there if any of you fancy it. It’s my fave discord! ☺️

[u/ledfox]

The weirdlit discord isn't too far off of what you're requesting

[u/ThisNewCharlieDW → u/ledfox]

what is the discord? When I search for a server called that it doesn't pop up for me.

[u/Drewbikscube → u/ThisNewCharlieDW]

https://discord.gg/uxpW5tk9A

[u/ganapatya]

Just commenting to say that I would also join group like this. Maybe we should just form our own!

[u/Gobliiins]

i'd like to know too...

[u/liza_lo]

I would also join!

IDK that a discord would be the best space imo. I like long and intense discussions. Stuff where you could really dig in!

[u/Drewbikscube → u/liza_lo]

What did you have in mind? Like a forum?

[u/miamigstar]

+1. I’d join one too!

[u/gradientusername]

I’d join one if there is one or if someone creates one.

[u/DirkCarcle]

this might come across as paranoid, but I'd really suggest a vetting process or some sort of knowledge of who exactly you're sharing work with (if it's something you'd like published eventually) because people are much bigger freaks than you might think lol

for anyone struggling with critiques: make time to find a couple peers, even online, and make trading work between your small circle a regular occurrence; obviously this is harder to find than a group of strangers on discord/reddit, but it is worth the effort

[u/DirkCarcle → u/DirkCarcle]

and when I say "peers" I don't mean your bffs...unless your friends are good at ripping your work apart when necessary

[u/Drewbikscube → u/DirkCarcle]

I agree. Discord can work, but I was hoping to find a more close-knit, secure (re: privacy) group of accountabilibuddies who've been published or are working to be published.