Writing/reviewing sites ? what do you think of them

Could you give an example, I don't really understand. I have a feeling similar sites are available for free.

For the most part, agents and publishers really don't troll those kinds of sites, or any sites for that matter, for material to publish. They have a slush pile that will forever keep them busy.

If you're looking for feedback, there are plenty of sites that are free, including here. You can look for a mentor or trade with someone who needs a read. There are always people looking for feedback. PM and trade.

I don't think they'll necessarily get you anywhere.

I used to belong to one of those sites. If the site requires a fee, that means there is a mayority of serious writers on the site. They'll give you excellent feedback, but you had to 'buy' certificates to promote your work. Since you got 'money' by reviewing, and I don't have much time to review, I could never promote my work and thus get too little feedback. I haven't been there in a while.

I also belonged to another one that was free, but since everyone could get in there were not many experienced or serious authors and therefore the feedback was awful.

I'd rather get a critique partner... if I could find one of course.

You might want to try a critique group instead

Annie,
I think you'd do better with a critique group. A regular meeting of serious writers, who write the same material (novels, poetry, short stories, etc.) can provide you better and ongoing feedback for years. You benefit from the synergy of a group, where one persons comments and that gives another idea to another reviewer, etc.
A critique group helped me whip my novel into shape (published by HarperCollins in September 2006), and they really helped me tighten up and perfect my writing. And that's aside from giving me plenty of ideas and plot suggestions.
Be warned, a critique group of serious writers is not for the faint of heart. You'll hear lots of things you may not like, or agree with. But it can make you a better writer.
That said, finding a good critique group is very difficult. There are lots of them out there, but most of them aren't really serious. It takes some work, but you can usually find 3-4 serious writers who are looking to improve their craft, and if you can get in one of those, it's worth the search.
Let me know if you want to know more about CGs.
eskkar

There are at least two online crit groups that are free. I don't think being fee based means that there are more 'serious' writers on there, just ones with more money.

www.critters.org - this is a great group, but only for speculative fiction.
www.critiquecircle.com - also a nice group. With any review/critique, you must take the advice with a grain of salt. How do YOU feel about the advice?