This study explores adolescents’ engagement with online writing communities, focusing on the impacts of sharing their work and receiving feedback within such environments. Specifically, the research examines the experiences of students submitting their writing to Critique Circle, an online platform where writers upload their work for peer review. The study aims to understand who participates in these communities, their motivations, and the effects of their involvement on their self-conception as writers. Key features of Critique Circle, such as guaranteed critiques and adherence to critique standards, make it a distinctive environment for this investigation.