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Quick links on this page:

• add your writing group to this directory
• list of writing groups
• other writing group list providers
• a history of closed writing groups

Below are comprehensive lists of creative writing groups, writing circles, writing clubs and writing peer/help groups. Some of these are local, face-to-face writers' groups, requiring physical attendance. Some are online writing groups, allowing you to live anywhere in the world and be a member.

Add Your Writing Group To This List

If you run a writing group, writers' circle, writing club, help group or writing organisation that you'd like included in this directory, please contact me providing ALL of the following information:

• The name of your writing group
• A link to your website (or Facebook / Twitter / page, or whatever platform you use for your group)
• Your group's location
• Whether it is online or a face-to-face meet-up group
• How often you have meetings
• Any other details (please keep this concise - 50 words max)

I try and keep these lists accurate with current information and correct details. If you do spot any errors, please feel free to get in touch and let me know - any help in keeping this directory up to date is very much appreciated :-)

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Below is a table with details of writing groups, clubs, circles and other organisations.

Other Writing Group Directories and Lists

Below are links to other websites that provide lists of writers' groups.

• A list of online writing communities that offer free story critiques
• National Association of Writers' Groups Directory
• Society of Authors
• Writers Online
• Writing East Midlands

A History of Closed Writer Groups

For reference, a record of writing groups that have closed or ceased to operate.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy .

Leave your comments

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Richard AC I am looking for a club that is driven by writing - either novice or other - because I am interested in writing projects and am open to ideas that could help inspire all involved.

I suffer from acute anxiety and recently had counselling that suggested I joined a club such as this as it may pay me dividends and teach me how to mix with others. As I love writing, I thought of this.

Chris Fielden Hi Richard. Thank you for your message. Sorry to hear about your anxiety, but glad you're taking steps to improve the situation - that's great.

Well, you can either try joining a local face-to-face writing group (like the ones listed on this page), or look at online options. Personally, I find in person groups work better, but online can work too, depending on your needs / personal preference.

If you'd prefer online, I list quite a few platforms you can look at here .

I hope that helps and wish you the best of luck finding a group that suits your needs :-)

Richard AC Dear Mr. Fielden. Thank you for responding to my queries in the matter of a writing group. I do appreciate the feed back you sent and will consider one or two avenues. Maybe something will become of it.

Chris Fielden No problem, Richard. Good luck with finding a group :-)

Kevin A Hi, I'm looking to challenge myself with some collective creative writing. I've been in a group before which inspired me to approach my local library and asked for permission to hold a group in there. To my surprise the local council backed me and it was a thing for several months. Unfortunately it had to stop and I've been looking for something to let me express myself lyrically, metaphorically, even humorously too. I hope someone will be able to point me in the right direction. I have a lot of works that I'm actually proud of and am holding aspirations to be an author. I have a few individual poems published in various books but that was a long time ago. I think I've evolved as a writer with age. Hope to hear from someone. Thanks.

Chris Fielden Hi Kevin, thanks for your message.

Firstly, I'd recommend researching groups in your local area. If there aren't any and you don't want to start up another one, you can look for online platforms. I list many on my site - you can find details here .

Also, consider looking at other lists of writing groups, like the ones featured here .

I hope that helps and wish you the very best with finding the right group for you.

Kevin A Thanks for getting back to me Chris. I'll take a look at the links you sent me. Cheers mate.

Chris Fielden No problem, thanks Kevin :-)

Caroline B Hi, I am working on my second book which is about somatic awareness,  movement and creative expression. I would love to find a writers group who are focusing on simlar themes, such as creative expression through the body. I should add that the central theme of my book is a creative response to the concept of symptom as messenger.

I live in South Devon and would like to meet face to face occaisionally, though I realise my request may be too big an ask!! But then you can always ask.

Best wishes, Caroline

Chris Fielden Thanks for your message, Caroline.

I'm afraid I don't know of any groups like that in your area. What you're looking for sounds fairly niche, to be honest. You may have to try searching for online groups instead.

I hope that helps and wish you the best of luck in finding the right writing group for you :)

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The stories and articles on this site are provided for you to read free of charge subject to the condition that they are not, by way of trade or otherwise, copied, lent, sold, hired out, printed or otherwise circulated in any format without the author’s prior consent.

National Association of Writers and Groups (NAWG)

President: The Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, DL

Registered Charity Number 1059047

Whatever type of writing you do, we’ve got you covered.

We help to set up and run writing groups and provide support for individual writers.

There are many benefits of membership, including a professional critiquing service to help writers develop and improve their work. our patrons are:      the lord fellowes of west stafford, dl      sir alan ayckbourn, cbe      carol ann duffy, cbe           gervase phinn      lord bragg of wigton      jilly cooper, cbe      prof. david lodge, cbe.

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There are many benefits of membership, including a professional critiquing service to help writers develop and improve their work, and advertising which is usually free. more info here.

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Become a better writer and meet beta readers in our online writing group

Scribophile is one of the largest and most award-winning online writing communities.

Make your writing shine with feedback from other writers

You’ve spent a lot of time writing your story. But how can you make it perfect before you start thinking about publishing?

Scribophile is a writing group focused on getting you feedback on your manuscript. — in fact, we’re one of the largest online writing groups out there. Our points-based peer critique system guarantees you’ll get feedback from writers from all walks of life. You can then use that feedback to polish your writing before you take the next step in your publishing journey.

How Scribophile works

1 earn points by giving feedback.

Earn karma points by critiquing writing. Giving feedback to group members is fast, easy, fun, and helps improve your own writing, too!

2 Get feedback on your own writing

Spend karma points to post your own writing for critique from our writing community — anything from flash fiction to novels. Our writer’s group will give you detailed feedback on how to improve it, regardless of your specific genre, and all in a supportive environment.

3 Make friends and meet beta readers

As you participate in our writing group, you’ll meet and form relationships with many different kinds writers. They’ll become your inspiration, your encouragement, and even your beta readers, ready to help with your current manuscript, and your next ones too!

Scribophile was the first place I stopped when I went from being an I-wanna-be-a-writer to I-am-an-author. Now I have four international bestselling novels with major publishers, and when authors come to me I always send them to Scribophile. Genevieve Graham Tides of Honour and others published with Simon & Schuster

Join writing workshops and level up your writing

Our writing workshops are taught by bestselling authors, expert teachers, and industry insiders. We have workshops for writers of any skill level, where we cover everything from beginning topics to advanced techniques.

Our writing workshops are designed to be both comprehensive and transformational — they’re your fast track to leveling up your writing.

Some of our upcoming writing workshops

How to Start and Grow an Author Newsletter with Stuart Jaffe

Apr 27, 2024 • 1½ hour webinar

Author Stuart Jaffe shows you how to start and grow an author newsletter, one of the most critical components of selling your books today.

Writing Query Letters That Work with D.J. Butler

May 4, 2024 • 2 hour workshop, with instructor feedback on your query letter

Join author and Baen editor D.J. (Dave) Butler as he teaches you how to write hard-punching query letters you can use to sell your manuscripts to agents and editors.

Our writing group welcomes writers of any skill level

Our writing group welcomes writers of all skill levels — from beginners to published authors, and every writer in between.

Each critique you receive on your manuscript is a fresh perspective for you to incorporate. Our bustling writing forums feature writers discussing the craft twenty-four hours a day — share inspiration, ignite your creativity, get support, and connect with others no matter your genre. Plus, our extensive Writing Academy is full of insightful articles on the art — and business — of writing.

Scribophile played a major part in helping me polish my novel for submission. I learnt a huge amount from critiquing other people’s work, as well as from reading critiques of mine. I now have a wonderful agent and have signed a three-book deal in the UK, a two-book deal in Germany, and a TV option. The book was also shortlisted for The Debut Dagger! Roz Watkins The Devil’s Dice and others published with HarperCollins

Giving and receiving critiques on Scribophile made a big difference to the quality of my writing. I learned how to write a query letter here and that led to an agent and a book deal. Ruth Lauren Prisoner of Ice and Snow and others published with Bloomsbury

No more writing alone — meet your new community

Sometimes, the hardest part of the writing process is how lonely it can get.

That’s why the most important part of Scribophile is our community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. No matter what genre you work in, or how far along you are in your manuscript, the friends you make at Scribophile will give encouragement, accountability, and will finally take the loneliness out of our solitary craft.

My years on Scribophile have given me a master’s level education in writing. The critiques are great, but I’ve learned as much from reading and analyzing other writers on Scribophile. I don’t think I could have polished my novel to a publishable level without this site. I’m an addict. Laura Creedle The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily published with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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10 Top Writing Groups in London

By A.W. Naves

If you live in the capital and want to join a writing group, check out our list of 10 top writing groups in London we’ve put together in this post.

1. Westminster Writers Group

The Westminster Writers Group brings together writers of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction of all lengths to discuss and critique the works in progress of group members. In addition to reviewing work submitted by members, there are also plenty of general writing discussions .

Meetings take place once a month, usually on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The group gets together at one of the local libraries in the Marylebone area of London, typically the Mayfair Library or Marylebone Library. There is no fee to join the group or for any events they hold.

Join the group.

2. Spectrum TLSFF Writers Group

Spectrum: The London Science Fiction & Fantasy (TLSFF) Writers Group is open to all speculative fiction writers, including horror, fantasy and sci-fi. Writers are asked to submit work for review in advance to give participants time to read the material and prepare to critique it during the meeting.

Meetings take place every two weeks online via the group’s Discord server. Additionally, there are virtual monthly events and daily check-ins for those interested. There are no fees to become a member and attend meetings, but they sometimes charge a small fee for special events.

Become a member.

3. Greenwich and Blackheath Writers Group

The Greenwich and Blackheath Writers Group meets every other Thursday at 7 p.m. There is no set venue. Most meetings are held at an area café or pub. There is no overall membership fee, but they charge £3 to attend meetings and ask that you support the location with a purchase.

This group is for serious fiction writers of all genres. Work to be critiqued must be submitted to the organisers in advance for approval. Writers then read their content aloud and listen as their fellow writers provide constructive criticism and advice.

Get in touch .

4. West Hampstead Writers Group

Are you a writer who gets more words on the page when you are in a group? If so, then this might be the writer’s group for you. The group meets several days a week for a write-in and to offer advice to writers of all genres. You can attend one meeting or all of them.

Gatherings take place at different venues in the Hampstead area of London. Dates, times, and locations are posted in their Meetup group ahead of time. There is no fee to join the group, but they do have a shop where you can purchase merchandise that helps pay their operating costs.

Get started writing.

5. Forest Hill Writers Group

This Forest Hill-based writers group meets every week at 6 p.m. at The Signal Pub. The group does not have a reading or critique session. Their main purpose is just to set aside time each week to dedicate to writing whatever genre they prefer.

After a brief greeting period at the start of the session, attendees sit down to write for an hour. Once the hour is up, attendees can stay to discuss their writing with fellow members who do not mind giving feedback or advice, have a drink or a meal, or keep writing.

Go to a meeting.

6. South West London Writers

Each week, members of the South West London Writers group on Meetup get together at 6:30 p.m. at the Hagen & Hyde pub in London for a pint and two hours of uninterrupted writing time. There is currently no formal critique session, but other writers can provide advice as requested.

Whether you need a change of scenery, some kindred spirits or to get away from the kids to write, this group provides a structured setting for you to get some work done in a comfortable setting intended to foster creativity. There are no membership fees, only venue purchases to pay.

Contact the organiser.

7. SE London Creative Writers

The SE London Creative Writers group on Meetup meets on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at various venues in the New Cross area. Members wishing to attend are asked to message the organiser to RSVP and learn the location.

The group rotates their meetings to have workshops one week and feedback the next week. There is no charge to attend either beyond any purchases made at the venue chosen. Writers of all genres are welcome to participate in the meeting and stay to socialise afterward if they like.

8. London Bridge Writers

The London Bridge Writers meet on Mondays at 7 p.m. for two-hour sessions. The group accepts about six submissions from members to be read and critiqued during each meeting. Writers select pieces of less than 2,000 words, then read them aloud during the meeting for peer review.

All writings to be critiqued are mailed to the organisers ahead of time and placed on google docs. A link is provided at the beginning of the meeting so everyone can read along with the author and then provide feedback once the reading portion is finished.

Send your work for review.

9. London Writers’ Meetup

Writing coach and screenwriter Katy Segrove created this London-based group as a support network for area writers. Rather than doing formal write-ins or critiques, this group offers a casual meetup for writers to enjoy a bit of community with other professional writers.

Novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights are all welcome to pour themselves a drink and settle into one of the monthly Zoom meetings held every second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Participants can discuss their successes or stumps with other writers and get the support they need.

Learn more.

10. Writers and Actors Lunch and Supper Club

Writers and Actors Lunch and Supper Club is where the creative arts come together. Though primarily aimed at playwrights and screenwriters, novelists are also welcome to join and actors play a part, as well. Members provide work for a table read or performance by the actors.

Meetings take place every other Thursday both in person at the Curzon Cinema Bloomsbury and online via Zoom or WhatsApp. Dates, times, and locations are posted on Meetup. There is no cost to join the group, but you will be responsible for food and drinks purchased at the venue.

Discover more information.

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Welcome to Cambridge Writers

Cambridge Writers are a friendly and enthusiastic writing group. Some of us are published, some not yet, and some write for fun.

Our members produce work in a wide variety of genres, and we meet regularly in and around Cambridge, as well as online, to discuss our writing.

How does it work?

We run several writing groups catering for different types of writing, such as novels or short stories. Members of each group meet monthly to discuss their work, give and receive feedback and help each other improve their writing. You may attend as many groups as you wish, learning from, and in turn assisting, fellow writers in many forms of writing.

What will you get out of our writing groups ?

Accountability Attending a group regularly helps you write more frequently

Improvement Responding to the work of others helps you understand how to improve your own writing

Confidence Sharing your work prepares you for the process of publication

Through attending meetings, you’ll build a support network of contacts, who quickly become friends, to assist you on your journey as a writer. Find out more…

We also hold monthly events which are open to the public. These often feature invited guest speakers, or we run workshops on aspects of the writing industry or writing techniques. Most importantly, our events provide a great social occasion, and an opportunity to meet writers from the group as a whole.

Our Upcoming Events

7th may – mike levy.

4th June – Flash Fiction Competition 2024 Results Night

Writing competitions.

Cambridge Writers holds members-only writing competitions , which are free to enter and offer cash prizes. We use either external judges or member voting to determine the winners of different contests. Our results evenings are great fun, where works are read aloud and prizes awarded. There’s a 1st prize of £100 for our short story competition, and £30 for the best flash fiction, along with other cash prizes. Find out more here.

We produce anthologies every year comprising the winning and commended entries from our writing competitions. We also offer online publishing for members’ works on this website, which is a great way to get your writing in front of readers and build a following. Our publicity officer, Hannah Hooton , is always on the lookout for opportunities. Recently she organised for members’ short stories to be broadcast on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Monthly Newsletter

Every member gets a free monthly Newsletter, full of information on local and national events of interest, such as literary festivals, writing competitions and courses. It’s a great source of news on our members too, sharing successes our writers have had in competitions, gaining agents or with publication. It also contains a round up of members’ writing that has been read out at the group meetings that month.

Tim Love is our newsletter editor. Please do contact him if you have any writing news you wish to shout about.

Ready to join ?

Annual membership is just £20. Find out more about joining  here .

Welcome to Pebble Beach Writing.

We offer workshops and mentoring for creative writers of all levels and experience. Among our participants are new writers trying out their first ideas on the page and published authors who want support and feedback as they develop their work.

Pebble Beach tutor, Susanna Jones,  has over thirty years' teaching experience and was the main fiction tutor on the Creative Writing MA at Royal Holloway University of London for fourteen years. She has also taught at the University of Exeter and has tutored courses for the Arvon Foundation.

Courses are held in Brighton and Hove or online. Groups are small – usually 5–8 participants – allowing everyone time for individual feedback and space to develop.

Classes for summer term 2024:

Writing a Novel (new), Saturday mornings, Brighton 

Writing from Life (new), Saturday afternoons, Brighton

Writing a Novel (continuing), Monday evenings, Hove

Fiction Workshop (continuing), Tuesday evenings, Hove 

Online tuition is also possible for individuals or small groups of writers with similar aims. See below or get in touch to find out more.

Join our mailing list below for the latest news and announcements. 

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'Susanna is, without a doubt, the best creative writing teacher and workshop leader I’ve ever come across. Whether you are just starting out on your writing journey, or have a couple of novels under your belt and want to hone your skill, Susanna is the right person for you. She was the lead fiction tutor on my Creative Writing MA and, more recently, has guided me through editing my first novel. I’m not sure I could have done it without her - and I certainly wouldn’t have done it this well. I have complete trust in her judgement and believe she has made me not only a stronger writer but a much better editor. She is generous with her time and with her extensive experience and will give your work the kind of respect, care and attention that most writers can only dream of from a third party. In short, whatever stage you’re at as a writer, Susanna will help you progress, improve and reach your writing goal.'      Louisa S.

One-to-one Mentoring/Small Group Tuition

One-off or a series of sessions for writers of all levels.

Beginners' tuition package of 5 sessions, including prompts and ideas to get you started.

Editorial and developmental feedback on your novel.

Small group Zoom sessions may be possible for two or more writers with similar requirements. 

Pebble Beach Writing is run by Susanna Jones,  the author of several novels, including The Earthquake Bird, Water Lily, The Missing Person's Guide to Love and When Nights Were Cold.   She is currently writing for film. 

Susanna has been teaching for more than thirty years. From 2005 to 2018 she was the main fiction tutor on the MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway University of London. Many of her former students have gone on to publish novels and win awards. She has taught and mentored writers of all levels, from beginners to PhD students.

TESTIMONIALS

'Susanna is an amazing mentor.  I was lucky enough to be taught by her when I undertook an MA in Creative Writing before going on to teach the subject myself.  Her insightful advice and editing skills are second to none.  When I started a novel and hit some thorny difficulties, I was so pleased to discover that Susanna was running an Advanced Fiction Writing course.  She was invaluable in terms of helping me pick out the strands which were working and the ones which needed further thought.  She has an exceptional eye for detail and her feedback is positive and constructive.  She offered accessible solutions based on her many years of experience and opened up new avenues I hadn’t considered, which was so helpful.  There is no way I could have produced work at this level and this quickly, without her support.   

     Susanna created a great rapport within a workshop environment.  Even though the sessions I took were online, the respectful and encouraging tone she set, eased us into working comfortably together.  Her sessions were well- run and well-structured and I thoroughly looked forward to each one.  Susanna brought out the best in my writing and I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.'

'Susanna is, without a doubt, the best creative writing teacher and workshop leader I’ve ever come across. Whether you are just starting out on your writing journey, or have a couple of novels under your belt and want to hone your skill, Susanna is the right person for you. She was the lead fiction tutor on my Creative Writing MA and, more recently, has guided me through editing my first novel. I’m not sure I could have done it without her - and I certainly wouldn’t have done it this well. I have complete trust in her judgement and believe she has made me not only a stronger writer but a much better editor. She is generous with her time and with her extensive experience and will give your work the kind of respect, care and attention that most writers can only dream of from a third party. In short, whatever stage you’re at as a writer, Susanna will help you progress, improve and reach your writing goal.' 

'Susanna is incredibly insightful and has been a huge help in identifying areas where my manuscript needed development. She’s helped me work through options while bringing a fresh insight into the work as well as identifying potential pitfalls. She’s a great tutor and coach and all her workshops leave me feeling energised and confident for the next stage.'

'I taught the novel as literature and writing fiction in Universities for over thirty years but putting this experience into practice when writing is much harder. Susanna Jones really knows how to help. She is an accomplished writer who really understands storytelling but also how a novel is structured and built from the blank page. I found her advice and encouragement priceless. Her novel writing courses and workshops are excellent and I recommend them without reservation. I am still writing and learning and I will return.'

'Susanna's artful teaching method helps you get those words down on paper with no pain or shame. Inspiring!'

Madeleine C

'One of the things that made this course so enjoyable was Susanna's enthusiasm for us, her students, and our work. She clearly loves teaching - and is brilliant at pin-pointing what a piece of writing is trying to do, as well as suggesting how to do it. She is entirely undogmatic about how to approach writing. She really listens and gives intelligent but non-prescriptive responses. Every session was thought-provoking and stimulating and really specific about how and what works in fiction.'

'Susanna is a brilliant creative writing teacher and mentor who is now mentoring me through my second book. She has that rare capacity to pinpoint exactly what works and doesn’t work in a piece of writing, and why. Whether you need help with overall structure and direction, or a close critical reading with a scrupulous editor’s eye, she will give you the best possible support to transform your writing.'

'I find it difficult to start, to pick up that one simple thing that can propel me into the creative flow. The 60-minute sessions I did last December were enjoyable, useful, and left me with material to develop into a couple of short stories - and a poem that was published.' 

'I’d like to tell you how much your Creative Writing workshops meant to me. Your guidance encouraged me to think as well as to enjoy writing and we had fun too! Thank you so much, Susanna.'

'Susanna Jones was an outstanding lecturer on my MA course in creative writing – her books were one of the reasons that I chose the course. She provided clear and helpful teaching on how to produce the best writing, together with incisive critical feedback.  Being such a talented author herself gave her a unique insight into the most effective ways to encourage budding writers. I have no doubt that my work measurably improved as a result of her efforts.'

'Susanna was my tutor on the MA and I looked forward to her classes every week. Her feedback was always spot on and encouraged me to reflect on my writing in new ways and dig a little deeper. Susanna is one of those rare breeds of people who both excels at her craft but is also able to pass on her knowledge and years of experience in an engaging way. She is just a brilliant tutor and I can't recommend her highly enough.'

 'I felt a little ambivalent about joining an online writing course but it turned out to have been such a good move. Somehow I found it easier to focus, not harder, and the fact that I could simply continue with what I was writing the moment the class finished made for some very productive Sunday evenings. Susanna is just lovely. She has a knack for nudging you gently towards fresh perspectives, different angles. In just a few sessions I found myself thinking very differently about what I was writing, what I could be writing, and why. Not at all what I’d expected!'

• Our Patron of Writing
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Introduction to Creative Writing

Writing Poetry

• Life Writing & Memoir Writing

Writing Short Stories

• Writing for Children and Young Adults

Writing Flash Fiction

Novella Writing

Fiction Workshop Course

• Writing about Nature

Prioritise Your Writing

Editing Your Own Work

Publishing Talk Series

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A welcoming online home for all creative writers

Writing Room is all about helping you make space for creative writing in your week. Join us live online for small-group writing courses, friendly discussions and quiet work sessions from Monday to Friday in term times. Check in as often or as little as suits your schedule. Enjoy finding support and inspiration to become the writer you want to be. Read more...

View our timetable at a glance!

BRAND NEW COURSE: Publishing Perspectives Talk Series - read more...

STOP PRESS! HANNAH LOWE & LIZ BERRY LAUNCH OUR NEW LUNCHTIME WRITING WORKSHOPS!

Short creative writing courses, hosted live online

Life Writing & Memoir

Writing for Children & YA

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Weekly drop-ins for students, hosted live online

Monday Start Your Week

Thursday Writing Hour

Feedback Friday

Events, talks, masterclasses & bursaries

Events & talks

Masterclasses

Steve Thompson Bursaries

I WAS TRULY AMAZED

“ An amazing resource for anyone who loves writing at any level. I was truly amazed to discover so much going on. ”

POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT

“ What was particularly useful was the positive encouragement from people who could dissect writing in a meaningful way. ”

COMMUNITY THAT BUILDS

“ It's a community that builds as you move from one course to another. You'd be hard put to find that on a Creative Writing MA at 100x the price. ”

DIVERSITY OF STUDENTS

“ I love the incredible generosity of the teachers and the high level of the input from them. I also love the diversity of the students, such a different and interesting profile compared to when I have done other courses. ”

Anon from student survey

NO SNOBBERY!

“ Great, informative, reasonably priced courses. Friendly. No snobbery! It's a very open community, open to all levels of experience, yet it seems to attract writers who are keen to be professionally minded. ”

Writing Room is a registered Community Interest Company: a non-profit arts organisation committed to serving the interests of our diverse community of creative writers.

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Tomorrow’s Ashes

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The topic of our first anthology is Apocalypse and Rebirth

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You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair — the sense that you can never completely put on the page what’s in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.

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Creative writing charity for young people

Everyone has a voice.

First Story helps students find theirs.

We’re England’s leading creative writing charity for young people.

Our talented professional writers equip students in underserved communities with the confidence and skills to tell their own stories.

Watch Miles’ Story to learn more.

Our flagship Young Writers Programme places an inspiring professional writer in residence in a partner school for an academic year. Writers work intensively with a consistent group towards the publication of a printed anthology.

First Story writers are acclaimed and award-winning authors, poets and playwrights, with the skills to transform students’ creativity, confidence and ability.

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Our flagship provision includes a professional writer in residence, sixteen weeks of extracurricular creative writing workshops, a published anthology, support and resources for teachers, plus exclusive access to year-round activities and opportunities.

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Since 2008, we’ve published thousands of poems and stories by young writers, in hundreds of beautifully produced anthologies—all of which are in the collection of the British Library.

We are committed to amplifying emerging voices from underrepresented communities and to providing platforms for our young writers to be read and heard.

First Story bursary opportunities for PGCert Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge

11 March 2024 //  by  First Story

For the sixth year running, First Story are collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to offer…

First Story bursary opportunities for PGCert Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge Read More

A day of creative collaboration – First Story Writers at the Courtauld Gallery

30 January 2024 //  by  First Story

We recently reignited our partnership with London’s Courtauld Gallery, which had previously hosted Schools Connect Events before the pandemic. 10 of…

A day of creative collaboration – First Story Writers at the Courtauld Gallery Read More

Six Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24 

24 January 2024 //  by  First Story

Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For…

Six Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24  Read More

Six Word Stories auction raises over £16,000

14 November 2023 //  by  First Story

As part of activities during 2023 to celebrate First Story’s milestone 15th birthday, we launched a unique literary auction on…

Six Word Stories auction raises over £16,000 Read More

‘First Story is 15’ party highlights

10 November 2023 //  by  First Story

On 2 November 2023 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, First Story celebrated reaching a milestone birthday. Our…

‘First Story is 15’ party highlights Read More

Announcing: Folio Prize Mentorships 2023/24

9 November 2023 //  by  First Story

We are now in the seventh year of our partnership with the prestigious Folio Prize, through which talented First Story…

Announcing: Folio Prize Mentorships 2023/24 Read More

Why six words?

23 October 2023 //  by  First Story

First Story recently challenged best-selling and prize-winning authors, including Michael Morpurgo, Neil Gaiman, Elif Shafak, our Ambassador, Tracy Chevalier and…

Why six words? Read More

All of life in six words

16 October 2023 //  by  Antonia Byatt

My friend said, if your young writers can do it, then why wouldn’t you ask professionals?  Like all good things,…

All of life in six words Read More

Six Word Stories auction to raise vital funds for First Story

9 October 2023 //  by  First Story

A collection of acclaimed and best-selling authors have written original six word stories to be auctioned in aid of First…

Six Word Stories auction to raise vital funds for First Story Read More

Summer Residential 2023 highlights

5 October 2023 //  by  First Story

The Summer Residential is an opportunity for students who have shown great potential during the First Story Young Writers Programme…

Summer Residential 2023 highlights Read More

It All Started in the Library at The Bulwell Academy

28 September 2023 //  by  First Story

Joel Hunt, school librarian at The Bulwell Academy in Nottingham, has come to the end of his first year as…

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Writers-in-Residence Skills Share Day 2023

13 September 2023 //  by  First Story

On Tuesday 5th September, 25 First Story writers attended our annual Skills Share Day at our Webber Street office in…

Writers-in-Residence Skills Share Day 2023 Read More

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Writing Circles in the UK

Writing groups offer more than valuable feedback on your writing. They provide support and a strong motivation to keep writing. If you are completing a writing course with us, we highly recommend that you join a writers group in your area.

Please always contact the group convenor to check that the venue and meeting times are still valid.

If you run a writing circle and you would like us to add or update your details, please let us know .

The Chalk Scribblers meet online every Saturday morning at 10am UK time. Our core activity is a critique workshop where we help each other develop our works in progress. Our members include writers of both fiction and narrative non-fiction. We also organise a speaker programme with published authors and industry professionals. More details on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/666433389207

Ashford Writers meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Ashford Public Library, Church Road, Ashford. Contact Marjorie Burge 01233 623949. [email protected]

Ballards Writers’ Group meets Monday evenings once a month in a member’s house in South Croydon. Contact Sheila [email protected]

Croydon Writers’ Circle meets on the second Monday of the month at Croydon Clock tower in Katharine Street, Croydon and on the fourth Monday of the month at the United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, East Croydon.  For contact details visit www.croydonwriters.org.uk

Edge of London Scriptwriters meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7.45 to 9.30 p.m. in the rehearsal room of the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, High Street, Carshalton. Contact Gary Cox 01737 353132 / 070500 78667 or Joanne Higginson, 07901 556753 www.eolnwn.info

Harrow Writers’ Circle meets on alternate Thursdays at 7.45 p.m. at The Stanmore Room, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middlesex.  For contact details visit www.harrowwriters.org.uk

Hastings Writers’ Group For contact details visit www.hastingswriters.co.uk

Hogs Back Writers meets three times a month. 2nd and 4th Mondays are prose evenings in Wanborough Village Hall, just off the A31 (“Hog’s Back”) between Guildford and Farnham. Contact Secretary Pam Brown 01252 702075 [email protected] . For more information visit the website www.hogsbackwriters.org.uk

Marsh Ink Writers’ Group meets on the 2nd and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Assembly Rooms in Church Approach, New Romney, Kent. Contact Bridget Fowkes 01797 366621 [email protected] . For more information visit the website www.marshink.co.uk

The Medway Mermaids is a writing group for women. For more information visit their website www.medwaymermaids.btik.com

Mole Valley Poets have regular monthly meetings in Dorking, Surrey. ontact Tony Earnshaw – Chair on 07827 446288 or email [email protected] . For more information visit the website www.molevalleypoets.co.uk

Mole Valley Scriptwriting Group meets at Park House, on the second Thursday of the month, Surrey. Contact Tim Jenkins  [email protected]   or visit the website www.molevalleyscripts.co.uk

Phoenix Writers’ Circle meet at Stepping Stones Pub in Westhumble. Contact Justine John [email protected] or visit the website www.phoenixwriterscircle.co.uk

Poets Anonymous meets on the second Saturday of the month in the United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove, two minutes walk from East Croydon Station Croydon, Surrey. For more information visit the website www.poetsanon.org.uk

Richmond Writers’ Circle meets at the Parish Rooms, Church Walk, Richmond, Surrey every Wednesday from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm; the meeting proper starts at 8.00 pm. For more information visit the website www.richmondwriterscircle.org.uk Chairman: Richard Rickford. Contact Peter Stephen-Ward on 0208 878 2086 or [email protected]

Seaford Writers’ Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at The Old Boot (The Barker’s Room), High Street, Seaford, Sussex. Contacy Roger Pople Tel: 01323 895366

Starting in 1967, Slough Writers is one of the oldest writing circles in the UK. It supports writers of all abilities living in the Slough area. The group meets most Mondays at the Burnham Working Men’s Club from 7:30pm. Find out more at https://sloughwriters.org/ or get in touch via https://sloughwriters.org/contact .

The Sherrifs Performers Writers Group develop and write professional theatre for stage and screen. The group meets at The Riverhouse Barn, Elmbridge, Surrey. Gary Wicks, The Sherrifs,49 Park Road, Esher, Surrey.

Solent Writers’ Circle meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. at the Lee-on-the-Solent Community Centre. For more information visit the www.solentwriterscircle.com

St Leonards Writers meets every Wednesday 1 – 3 p.m. in St Leonards Parish Church Hall, East Sussex. Email: [email protected]

Sutton Writers Surrey have monthly meetings held at the Friends Meeting House, Cedar Road, Sutton, Surrey. Contact Teresa Tipping:  [email protected] or visit the website: www.suttonwriters.info

Swanley Scribblers meets every Monday from 8 – 10 p.m. at The Swanley Working Men’s Club (upstairs), High Street, Swanley. Contact Elaine Everest on 01322 662364 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

The Society of Sussex Authors was founded in 1968. They meet on the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Dorset Arms, Malling Street, Lewes, West Sussex in February, April, June, August, October and December. Contact Michael Legat, Bookends, Lewes Road, Horsted Keynes.

Thameside Writers meets the first Thursday of the month between 1pm and 4pm in West Molesey. It is a mixed group writing poetry and prose. Contact Helen Saxey-Santillo – Secretary on 01932 567916 or Mr. P. Eric Warren – Treasurer on 020 8224 1265 or [email protected]

The Goldfish Bowl Writers’ Circle usually meet in quiet and accommodating local pubs in and around Canterbury City Centre. Contact Amy or Becca at [email protected] or visit the website www.writingincircles.co.uk

Wit Lit Writers’ Group is a small club for fiction writers who enjoy injecting some humour into their work. Meetings are held monthly from 8 p.m. in Sutton, Surrey. For more information visit the website www.witlitwriters.co.uk

The Write Idea meets every fortnight on a Monday evening. The group promotes intercourse between its members and any others involved in writing of stories, competitions, literary agents and publishers. Contact Chris Hunt on 01634 240758

Walton Wordsmiths meets at St John’s Church Hall, The Furrows, Walton on Thames, Surrey. Meetings are on alternate Fridays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Contact Chairman Wendy Hughes on 01932 702874 or   [email protected]

West Sussex Writers’ Club meets at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month, at The Barn, Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing. Write to Heather Reay, 131 Bevendean Crescent, Brighton, BN2 4RE or phone her on 01273 701235.

Writers’ and Poets’ Circle meets on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House in Purley, Surrey. For more information contact Veronica Aldous  at [email protected] or phone her on 020 8763 2692.

South Central

Andover Writers’ Workshop meets 7.00-8.30 Mondays during term time at Rookwood School, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire. Contact Andover (01264) 361727 or email [email protected] . For more information visit the website www.andoverwriters.co.uk .

Fareham Writers meet monthly at Wallington Village Hall. For more information visit www.farehamwriters.co.uk .

Harrow Writers’ Circle meets on alternate Thursdays at 7.45 p.m. at The Stanmore Room, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middlesex. For more details visit www.harrowwriters.org.uk .

Havant and District Writers’ Circle meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 7.30 – 10 p.m. at Havant Arts Centre, East Street, Havant, Hants. Contact Dee Williams on 023 9259 3057 for more details.

Kick Start Poets are based in Salisbury they normally meet on the third Thursday of every month. For more information email [email protected] or visit the website www.kickstartpoets.freeuk.com

Metroland Poets meet on the last Friday in the month at 8 pm. Contact Christopher North on 01494 762290 or 01494 762290 or email [email protected]

Petersfield Writer’s Circle meets every Monday in the town centre from 7.30 p.m. For more details email: [email protected] or visit the website www.jimmorleybooks.com

Petersfield Writers’ Workshop meet in an informal ambience with friendly people. Every Tuesday evening, 7.30 – 10 p.m. If interested, please call Leah, 0783 431 6040 or email [email protected]

Poetry Performance every second Thursday of each month upstairs at ‘The Square Brewery’, Petersfield, Hants. Sponsored by Petersfield Writers’ Workshop. For more info call Petersfield Writers Workshop, on 0783 431 6040. Or email: [email protected]

Poole Writers’ Circle meets at the Poole Citizen’s Advice Bereau, 54 Lagland Street. For more details phone 0793 4486556 or email [email protected] .

Rushmoor Writers meet fortnightly at the Farnborough Community Centre. Contact Tony Lewing on 01252 679779 or by email [email protected]

Solent Writers’ Circle meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. at the Lee-on-the-Solent Community Centre. Full details are on their website www.solentwriterscircle.com

The Thames Valley Writers’ Circle meet weekly at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Tilehurst, Reading. Contact Christine Mundy at [email protected] . For full details visit their website www.thamesvalleywriterscircle.org

Thatcham Writers meet monthly in Thatcham. For further information email [email protected] or visit their website www.thatchamwriters.co.uk

WC2 (Winchester Children’s Writers’ Circle) meets on the first Tuesday and first Thursday of the month (missing out January and August) at the IBM Club House at Hursley. For more information and meeting address email Gill James [email protected] or phone 023 8040 5827

Westbourne Writers’ Circle We meet at the Westbourne Baptist Church, North Street at 7.30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Find us on Facebook phone us on 07711994185 or email Makaela Papworth [email protected]

West Oxon Writers’ Group Meetings held twice a month. For full details email [email protected]

Wight Fair Writers’ Circle. Contact Chairperson – Carol Bridgestock on 01983 402393 or email her [email protected]

WordWatchers meets monthly in Newbury, Berkshire. Contact Jonathan Dodd on 07795 202722 or email [email protected] . For further information visit the website www.wordwatchers.net

Wyvern Writers meets monthly in Chandler’s Ford near Southampton and Winchester. For full details visit the website www.wyvernwriters.co.uk

Bath Writers’ Group. For full details contact Gill Clancy on 07834 355106 or email her at [email protected]

Catchword meets on Monday mornings in members’ homes. For full details contact Rona Laycock on 01453 834271

Cheltenham Writers’ Circle meet at Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terrace, Cheltenham, on the first and third Monday of each month. Contact the secretary, Carol Sandiford, on 01242 578109 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

The Cotswold Writers’ Circle meets in Cirencester weekly except for the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 10.30 a.m. and finish at 12.30 p.m. Contact the Secretary Elain Lunt- Bliss’s Cottage, Lower Chedworth, Cheltenham

Dean Writers’ Circle meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The meeting on the 1st Wednesday is held at Lydney Library from 7:45pm – 10:00pm. The meeting on the 3rd Wednesday is held at the Fountain Inn public house in Parkend and the times are the same. For full details contact Rachel Hayward on 01594 844115 or email her at [email protected]

Dorset Scribblers began in August 2001. For full details visit http://dorsetscribblers.blogspot.com/

Fiction Writing Workshop meets weekly (usually Wednesday evening) in central Bristol to discuss each others work For more information please contact either Louise on 0117 944 6321 or at [email protected] or Spence on 0799 057 2325 or at [email protected]

Mendip and Somerton Writers run creative writing classes. There are day-time as well as evening meetings at different venues – Somerton, Wells and Cheddar. For full details contact Judith Thomas by ph/fax 01749 676441 or email her at [email protected]

Moonrakers Writers’ Circle Workshops run evening workshops on alternate Wednesdays at Corfe Mullen Village Hall. Ring Veronica on 01202 696436 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

The Indian King Poets meets in the Library at Garmoe Cottage, 2 Trefrew Road, Camelford, Cornwall on most Mondays from 10 a.m. – 12/12.30 p.m. Email Helen Jagger Wood for more information [email protected]

The Writers’ Study meets in West Moors Memorial Hall on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, from 7-9pm. Ring The Writers Study on 01202 950361 or email them [email protected] . Visit the website for full details www.thewritersstudy.spruz.com

Westbourne Writers’ Circle meets at the Westbourne Baptist Church, North Street at 7.30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. You can find them on Facebook . To speak with someone ring 07711994185 or email Makaela Papworth [email protected]

The Wimborne Writers’ Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm at Colehill Memorial Hall, Middlehill Road, Colehill (next to the Library and First School). For full details contact Tracy Whitham, 35 Venator Place, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1DQ. email: [email protected]

Writers in The Brewery meets at New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester. Ring 01285 657181 for more details or visit the website www.newbreweryarts.org.uk/taking-part/join-a-group/writers-in-the-brewery-c-453_312_361.html .

East England

Brentwood Writers’ Circle meetings take place at ‘Fairview’, Ursuline Convent, 77 Queens Rd, Brentwood, Essex on the first Saturday of each month and start at 2.30 p.m. and finish at 4.30 p.m. Chairman :Colin Taylor, 27 Eddy Close, Romford, Essex RM7 9HR

Vice-Chairman : Ena Love – Tel: 01277 226840

Secretary : Janice Grande, 30 College Lane, Basildon, Essex SS15 6GS Tel: 01268 420093

Treasurer : Jim Reeve – Tel: 01245 400714

Café Writers We meet once a month in Marzano Bar at The Forum, Norwich. Full details about our group and activities at www.cafewriters.org.uk

Cambridge Writers, For full details visit their website www.cambridgewriters.net

Chelmsford Writers. For full details send an email to [email protected]

Chiltern Writers. For full details visit their Website www.chilternwriters.org

The Ellipsis writing group was set up as a follow-on from Dorothy Schwarz’ inspirational ‘Innovations’ evening classes run from the Greyfriars Adult Community College in Colchester. To find out what they are about visit their Website www.ellipsiswriting.org.uk. or contact Robert Miller – Hon. Sec. 17 Marshall Close, Feering, Colchester, Essex CO5 9LQ or by email [email protected]

Felixstowe Scribblers meet on the third Tuesdays of the month from 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road, Felixstowe. Full details news are on their blogspot http://scribblers2010.blogspot.com

Hainault Writers meet every Wednesday from 10 am until noon at the Hainault Community Centre, Naoford Way, Chigwell, Essex IG7 4DF. For further details phone Frederick Aiano on 0208 504 2433 or email [email protected]

Harlow Writers’ Workshop. For full details contact either Anne Neuhaus at [email protected] or on 01279 321665 or Adrienne Tinn at [email protected] or on 01279 723948.

Havering Writers’ Circle Meetings are held at The Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch. For more information contact Chairman John Lester on [email protected]

Hertsmere Writers’ Circle meets at the Bushey Grove Leisure Centre, Aldenham Road, Bushey from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. Contact the Co-ordinator Mrs R A Rach for full details 01923 247329 or [email protected]

Lincoln Phoenix Writers’ Circle meets fortnightly on Fridays from 7.30 – 9.30 pm in Seminar Room 9 in the main academic building of Lincoln University. Contact the Chairman Bill Allen on 01522 531895 or via email [email protected] . Alternatively, contact the Secretary Jon Stead on 01522 537635 or at [email protected]

The Lindum Scribes meet approximately every three weeks in Thorp on the Hill, Lincs LN6. For further details email the Chairman Jo Borrill [email protected]

The North Herts Writers’ Circle meets on Mondays in Stevenage. For full details please visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/group.php?gid=438016210318

Norwich Writers’ Circle. For full details visit the group’s website www.norwichwriters.org.uk

Redwell Writers meet on Monday evenings – fortnightly during the summer, weekly in the winter. Meeting locations currently vary. For full details visit www.redwellwriters.org or email [email protected]

Royston & District Writers’ Circle. A small, friendly writing group with members from across North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire. Anyone who would like to know more can visit our website at https://roystonwriters.org or email me at [email protected]

Seize The Day Writers’ Group started in 2011 for full details email them at [email protected]

Speakeasy meets in Milton Keynes, Bucks. For full details of venue and programme visit their website .  www.mkweb.co.uk . For more information email Chairman Martin Brocklebank [email protected]

The Stortford Scribblers meets every other Thursday at 8pm, at the Apton Rd Day Centre, Bishop’s Stortford. Lesley Mace. For full details phone 01279 503582

The Toddington Poetry Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Contact the Secretary Jean Janes on 01582 723500 or at [email protected] for more information. Or visit their website www.toddingtonpoetrysociety.co.uk

Ver Poets. For full details visit the group’s website http://verpoets.org.uk

Verulam Writers’ Circle meet on alternate Wednesdays at 8 pm at St Michael’s Church Hall, St Albans (opposite the Verulamium Museum). Visit their web site for a listing of programme of events www.verulamwriterscircle.org.uk . To speak with someone phone either Lesley Eames on 01727 856935 or Kevin Bennett on 0771 351 5868 or email the group at [email protected]

Ware Poets meet 1st Friday at the Ware Arts Centre, Kibes Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire. Contact John & Sue Godfrey on 01462 431098 for more details or visit their website www.rockingham-press.co.uk – then click on Ware Poetry

meet every Monday night from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm at the Cha Cha Cha Café, Shepherd Road, Cassiobury Park, Watford, Herts. To contact Watford Writers email [email protected] or visit their Website www.watfordwriters.co.uk for more information.

The Woodham Writers’ Group currently meet in members’ houses. For full information visit their website www.woodhamwriters.co.uk . To contact The Woodham Writers’ Group phone Matt Bowen on 07929 385521 or email [email protected]

Bards at Blidworth meets at Blidworth Library, Nottinghamshire, every 3rd Saturday of the month. For more details visit their website http://www.christinemichael.org/bardsatblidworth

Birmingham Writers’ Group. For full details visit their website www.birminghamwriters.org.uk

Coventry Writers Group meets at Flannery’s Bar in the Lower Holyhead Road in Coventry. For full details visit their website www.coventrywritersgroup.org.uk or send an email to [email protected]

DIY Poets hold informal monthly meetings in the Nottingham area. For full details see their website www.diypoets.co.uk

Grace Dieu Writers’ Circle meet fortnightly at the Coalville and District Constitutional Club, High Street, Coalville. Email Tony Gutteridge [email protected] or visit the Website www.gracedieuwriterscircle.co.uk for full details.

Malvern Writers’ Circle. Email [email protected] or visit the Website www.malvernwriters.org for full details.

Memoirs Group meets on Wednesdays from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at Mapperley Plains, Notts. For details send an SAE to Mo-mentum marked ‘Memoirs Group Details’, Mo-mentum, PO Box 177, Notts, NG3 5SU. Or email with ‘Memoirs Group Details’ in the subject line.

Mo-mentum run several groups and courses throughout the year. Contact Maureen Richardson at [email protected] for full details.

Milton Street Writers Meet in Northampton www.morgenbailey.com

Northampton Literature Group. For full details visit their website www.northamptonliteraturegroup.com

Northampton Writers’ Group meetings on alternate Thursdays at the Friends’ Meeting House, Wellington Street, Northampton, from 7.30 until 9.30 pm. Further information is available from their website www.northamptonwriters.org.uk or contact Secretary Nick Hamlyn, 293 Wellingborough Road, Northampton. Or email [email protected].

Renegade Writers. For further information visit their blogspot http://renegadewritersgroup.blogspot.com/

Rising Brook Writers meets at Rising Brook Library, Merrey Road, Stafford, from 1.30 to 3.30 p.m. on Mondays. For further information visit their website www.risingbrookwriters.btik.com .

Ripping Pages. For further information visit their blogspot http://rippingpages.blogspot.com/

Tamworth Writers meet in Tamworth Town Hall, Market Street, every Wednesday afternoon from 2p.m.- 4p.m. Email [email protected] for more information or visit their website http://members.tripod.co.uk/TamworthWriters/

Tenbury Writers’ Group meets at Tenbury Library every second Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. For further information phone the Tenbury Library 01584 810285 or write to: Tenbury Library, 24 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire or email [email protected]

Vale of Bevloir Writing Group – meeting every second Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Parish Room next to the library in Bottesford, NG13 0DF. We welcome writers from all over the Vale of Belvoir and beyond, with members from Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Email [email protected] . Website https://belvoirwriting.co.uk .

Walsall Writers’ Circle www.walsallwriterscircle.webs.com

Worcester Writers meets in Worcester every first and third Tuesday of the month, from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Email [email protected] or visit their website www.worcesterwriters.org.uk

Wrekin Writers. Find full details about The Wrekin Writers at www.wrekinwriters.co.uk

Write specifically helps young writers. It meets twice a month at the Pen Lloyd Library, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire: 1st Tuesday 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm for 9 – 13 year-olds 3rd Tuesday 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm for 14 – 18 year-olds. Contact Clara Taylor, 2 Newland Street, Braybrook (Northants), or phone her on 07793 359045 (after 5p.m. weekdays when possible) or email: [email protected]

Berwick Writers’ Workshop meet fortnightly on Wednesday nights from 7 – 9 p.m. at The Maltings Arts Centre, Eastern Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed. For details contact Wendy B. Scott on 01289 302929 or email [email protected]

Bradford Writers’ Circle generally meet 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. in the Basement Room of the CVS Building, 19/25, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, on the 1st Monday in the month. They also meet in Shipley at the Kirkgate Community Centre from 7.00 to 9.30 p.m. on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday in the month 74 Main Road, Denholme. For information email: [email protected] or visit their website www.bradfordwriterscircle.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Creative, Ink! meet at 7 pm every third Wednesday of the month in the Borders store on Davygate, York. Email [email protected] or visit http://members.lycos.co.uk/creativeink/ for more details.

Darlington Writers’ Circle meets once a month on a Monday evening in Darlington’s Town Hall from 7 – 9 p.m. visit www.darlington-writers-circle.org.uk for more details or phone the Chairman Albert Hill on 01325 462487

Free Spirit Writers. For details contact Mike and Diane Wilson, 40 Burstall Hill, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire or visit www.freespiritwriters.me.uk www.nawg.co.uk

Hornsea Writers. For details contact either Linda Acaster [email protected] or Karen Whitchurch [email protected]

Huddersfield Authors’ Circle meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. We currently meet via Zoom, but are hoping to soon resume face-to-face meetings at the Huddersfield Fire station.See our website https://HuddersfieldAuthorsCircle.co.uk for additional information on what we do and how to join.

Leeds Writers’ Circle. For full details visit www.leedswriterscircle.co.uk

Renegade Writers. For details visit their blogspot http://renegadewritersgroup.blogspot.com/

Rotherham Metro Writers meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7.40 pm – 10.00 pm at the Rotherham Trades Club, off Greasborough Road, Rotherham. Contact Graham Rippon, 19 Godric Drive, Brinsworth, Rotherham S60 5AN or by email [email protected] . For more information visit the website www.rothermetwriters.890m.com

Scarborough Writers’ Circle, founded in 1948 by Mary Hall, meets alternate Tuesdays at Allatt House Annex, West Parade Road, Scarborough (near Sainsburys). For further information contact the Secretary Carol Stockhill, on 01723 360535.

Script Yorkshire. For full details visit www.scriptyorkshire.co.uk

The Writing Group meets every Tuesday from 2 – 4 p.m. at Café Irene in Malton, North Yorkshire. For more information contact Anne 07966 594618

Wordweavers Wordweavers. For full details visit www.wordweavers.org.uk

Ashton Writers meets at 8 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays at ‘Sam’s Bar’ in Ashton-in-Makerfield. For full details contact Mrs Chris Wood on 01257 253887 or [email protected]

Bank Street Writers meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 2 – 4 pm at the Bank Street Unitarian Chapel, Bank Street, Bolton. Contact the Secretary, Rod Riesco for full details on 01204 669858. Or visit the Bank Street Writers website

Blackburn and District Writers’ Circle meets on the last Tuesday of each month at Intack Conservative Club, Accrington Road, Blackburn between 7p.m. and 9 p.m.Contact Leslie Hamilton for more information at [email protected]   or on 07944 947647

The Brighter Writers meet once a week in a café bar in St Annes. For details email [email protected] or visit their website   www.brighterwriters.org.uk

Chorley & District Writers’ Circle. The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month ( except December) at Coppull United Football Club, Springfield Road Coppull, Chorley, PR7 5EJ. Email [email protected] for more information.

Crewe and District Writers’ Circle meets at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at 2 Barony Road, Nantwich, Cheshire. Contact the Organiser/Secretary Waltraud L. Field for full details 01270 624052 [email protected]

Fylde Coast Fiction meets on the second Wednesday in the month at 7.30 pm at the Frank Townsend Community Centre, Cleveleys, Lancashire. Contact Norman Johnson on 01253 821366 or at [email protected] for full details.

Haslingden Writers meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7.30 pm at The Public Hall, Haslingden. Phone 01706 831260 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

The Inklings. Visit their website for full details http://www.aninkling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

The Monday Night Group meets in Manchester. For further information email [email protected] or visit their website www.mondaynightgroup.org.uk

Mungrisdale Writers meets on alternate Thursdays throughout the winter at the village hall Mungrisdale, near Penrith, Cumbria. For full details visit their website www.mungrisdalewriters.org.uk or email them at [email protected]

North West Playwrights meet at 18 Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester. Contact them on 0161 237 1978 or at [email protected] . For further information visit their website www.newplaysnw.com

Ormskirk Writers and Literary Society meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month, 7.30 to 9.30 pm in the Arts and Community Centres, St Helens Road, Ormskirk (next door to Chapel Gallery). Contact the Secretary Ishbel Kargar for more details on 01695 571748 or at [email protected]

Parbold Writers’ Circle meets once a month in Parbold, Lancs. Contact Jennie Jackson on 01257 463026 for more details.

Riverside Writers meets monthly at West Kirby Library, The Concourse, West Kirby, Wirral, Cheshire. Full details of meeting dates can be found on their website www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/riversidewriters/index.phtml . To contact Riverside Writers email [email protected]

Skelmersdale Writers meets at the Quarry Bank Community Club, Ormskirk Road, Skelmersdale on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7.30 p.m. Contact Carol Fenlon on 01695 728320 or email her at [email protected] for further information

South Manchester Writers’ Workshop is based in Didsbury and have weekly meetings. For full details visit their website www.manchester-writers.org.uk

Southport Writers’ Circle meets every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at Birkdale Library, Liverpool Road, Southport. Email [email protected] for further details.

Telling Tales Writers Association is based at Timperley Community Centre, Park Road, Timperley, Cheshire. They meet every Thursday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Contact the Secretary Rachel Kramrisch for more details on 0161 962 2951 or [email protected]

The Windows Project. Visit their Website for full details www.windowsproject.demon.co.uk

Walsall Writers’ Circle. For more information visit www.walsallwriterscircle.webs.com

Woodvale Writers’ Workshop hold weekly meetings at Woodvale Community Centre, Meadow Lane, Woodvale, Southport on a Tuesday evening from 7 – 9 p.m. For further details telephone 01704 573084.

Write of Eden meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 1.30 – 3.30 p.m. at the Kirkby Stephen Library on the High Street (except during school holidays) Contact Lynette on 017683 72545 or at [email protected] for further details

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Creative Writing

Contact the adviser

My aim is to help those setting up new groups and to encourage and support existing group leaders. Contact me if you encounter problems. Let me know too, when something has gone well. If you find a book, a method or a one-off exercise that works for you, it is likely to work for other groups too. So tell me about it please, so I can share your ideas with others, perhaps in a newsletter.

Marcia Humphries,

Subject Adviser for Creative Writing.

Starting a New Creative Writing Group.

1. Check with your U3A Committee that they agree to the starting of a new group. They may  be able to help with publicity for it, a venue & advise on timing to fit-in with other interest groups. They may already have a note of people who would like such a group.

2. Try to limit the group size to 10 or less. At this stage, you may be looking for members. Approach existing groups within your U3A like the book club, poetry, literature or storytelling for likely writers if this is the case.

3. The usual format for groups is that at the end of a session a topic/writing prompt is given to be written on by next time. Good not to lay down rules, especially at first, so a poem or story or an article are all acceptable. At the next session, people read out their work for comments from the others. Go easy on this until the group start to feel comfortable with each other, but say something or people feel their efforts have been wasted. Keeping numbers down allows time for everyone to read, but make clear it’s fine to come along if you haven’t been able to write this time. Try to allow time for a writing exercise during the meeting (lots of ideas in the Handbook...see point 5).

4. Download the current newsletter at the bottom of this page full of ideas, reports, competitions, news from other groups.

5. Download a copy of the Creative Writing Handbook, mentioned later on this page.

6. If you have questions about starting-up which are not answered by this page, e-mail me about them and I will try to help.

7. Let me know that you've set up a group so I can add you to the mailing list to receive future Newsletters This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

January newsletter .nodisplay { display:none; } Creative_WritingNL_Jan_2024.pdf (405.49 KB)

    , how to get published; some practical advice with alysoun owen.

Alysoun Owen , Editor of the bestselling Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, has commissioned several books on writing and publishing for Bloomsbury. She has worked in publishing and literature in the UK and overseas for over 30 years.

In this special talk exclusively for u3a members, Alysoun shares her experiences and knowledge of the publishing process by providing advice about the options available to authors. 

Your Unique Creative Writing

Writer Anne Ludlow, author of The Gentleness of Steel, outlines the basic tools needed for creative writing and how to use them, in a workshop for u3a members. 

u3a Across Scotland Poetry Group

It is a lovely example of how well Zoom can work for writers. The  members are comfortable with each other, despite the group never having met in  person. There is critique of the work read out, all given in a supportive way.

Writing Groups in Manchester

If you live in Manchester, UK and you’re interested in joining a writer’s group then check out this list of all the writing groups in Manchester.

• Post author By Graeme Shimmin
• Post date 27 August 2021

List of Writing Groups in Manchester

Manchester is a literary city and so there are a multitude of Manchester writers’ groups. Below is a list of all the writing groups in Manchester that we’re aware of.

The groups we list here are mostly for creative writing rather than non-fiction. They cover all genres and types of creative writing: short stories, novels, novellas, screenplays, theatre and poetry. Most of them are free or have a nominal charge.

There are two main types of writing group: writing workshop groups, and writing critique groups (see What is a Writing Group? ). Both types of group are available in Manchester, and there’s also a networking group for authors.

Writing groups are great for writers to come together and support each other by providing critiques, advice, and friendly faces. They’re invaluable for improving your writing. So, use this list to find a writing group that suits you, meet some other writers in Manchester and make a difference to your writing!

Manchester Speculative Fiction

This is the website for Manchester Speculative Fiction. We are the only writing group in Manchester specialising in speculative fiction (e.g. science-fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.)

The group has been meeting for over ten years. Several members of the writing group have had novels commercially published, and others are on the way, having gained deals or agents. Others have won writing competitions and had short stories featured in magazines and anthologies. We’ve also produced two well-received anthologies of speculative fiction set in Manchester: Revolutions and Revolutions 2 .

We meet twice a month, once in person and once online, and use the Milford System for our meetings.

We welcome anybody over eighteen who writes speculative fiction to the group, whoever they are and whatever their background. Membership is free.

See Manchester Speculative Fiction for more details of our group.

Commonword runs a variety of writing development activities, including writing critique groups.

The writing critique groups are for people of African, Caribbean, Southeast, South, East Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds only.

For more information, see Commonword .

Manchester Women Writers

Manchester Women Writers hold a weekly writing group at Manchester City Library. Their process is for writers to read out their work and listen to feedback. The group accepts prose, poetry and drama for critique. Once a month they do writing exercises and/or hold a discussion. The group is for women only.

They don’t have a website, but you can contact them via the Manchester Women Writers Facebook Group.

Manchester Writer’s Circle

Manchester Writer’s Circle is a writing workshop and critique group for screenwriters, poets, authors, playwrights and songwriters.

Their process is for people to read their work to the group and then they discuss the work and offer constructive feedback.

You can sign up at Manchester Writers Circle

Monday Night Group

A long-established group (over fifty years old) that meets in central Manchester every Monday. They accept work in all genres and forms, including novels, short stories, poetry and drama.

Their process is for attendees to read their work and receive verbal feedback. The group welcomes all serious writers prepared to give and receive feedback.

Their website is at Monday Night Group .

Muslim Writers North

Muslim Writers North is a writing group that meets monthly at Chorlton Library in South Manchester. They accept any kind of writing: poetry, prose, screenplays and even blogs. The group is for Muslim writers only.

You can contact them via their website at Muslim Writers North .

Scriptwriting North

Scriptwriting North primarily offers courses in scriptwriting, but it also runs script development groups. It launched in 2008 and has helped hundreds of aspiring script writers. Some w riters who’ve attended Scriptwriting North’s groups have had their scripts professionally produced and/or won prizes.

They charge approximately £10 per meeting for their development group.

See more at Scriptwriting North .

Society of Authors: Manchester Group

A slightly different one this as it’s not a critique group, but more of a networking group for authors. Meetings typically feature a discussion topic or a guest speaker. Meetings are on the fourth Monday of the month. The group is for members of the Society of Authors only.

For more details, see: Society of Authors: Manchester Group

South Manchester U3A Creative Writing Group

South Manchester U3A Creative Writing Group is a writing workshop for all writing, including novels, short stories, poetry, memoirs, and biographies. The attendees do writing exercises and hold discussions.

The group is for retired people only.

See South Manchester U3A Creative Writing Group for more.

South Manchester Writers Workshop

South Manchester Writers Workshop is a critique group that meets weekly in Didsbury and focuses on getting published. Their process is for attendees to read out what they’ve been working on, so the rest of the group can give their critiques.

The group has no membership criteria, but there is sometimes a waiting list to join.

Their website is at South Manchester Writing Group .

Writing Groups in Manchester: Related Organisations

As well as all the writing groups, there are several literary organisations in Manchester helping to promote writing in the city, including the Manchester Literature Festival and Manchester City of Literature.

See Literary Organisations in Manchester for more details.

Any More Writing Groups in Manchester?

Above are all the writing groups in Manchester that we’re aware of. There are also smaller local groups in the towns surrounding Manchester. If you’re outside Manchester, it’s worth trying your local library, as they usually know which groups meet in the area.

If you know of any other writing groups in Manchester that you’d like to be added to this list, or you’d like to come along to our Manchester writing group , then please contact us .

• Tags Advice

By Graeme Shimmin

Graeme Shimmin has been a member of the Manchester Speculative Fiction Writing Group since 2012 and edited its first two anthologies. His novels have won, or been listed for, multiple prizes including the Terry Pratchett Prize, YouWriteOn Book of the Year and Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Looking for more in Writing and Authors ?

Writing groups in Scotland

Wondering how to find a creative writing group near you? Here's our quick guide to in-person writing groups in Scotland.

A writing group can be a brilliant source of support and motivation. If you can't see a group in your local area here, try searching online, getting touch with your library or community centre, or consider setting one up yourself!

Online writing groups

If you prefer to practice writing from the comfort of your own home, there are plenty of online writing workshops and groups to get involved in.

Find a creative writing group near you

Groups are listed alphabetically under their local authority area. If you'd like to add your group to this page, please email [email protected] (this link will open in a new window) . We need to know when and where your group meets, what you do and how to contact you (either a website or email address). There is a 50 word limit for listings.

Open Book organise and run weekly shared reading and creative writing sessions for a diverse range of community and public participants across Scotland.

View Open Book's website

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

The SCBWI Scotland network holds regular meet-ups and teach-ins, where we swap information on writer’s craft, such as dialogue, character breakdown and plot development. They have regional contacts and events across the country.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) website

Books and Beans Poetry Group

The group meets at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month.

Visit the Books and Beans Poetry Group website

Email: [email protected]

Grampian Association of Storytellers

Grampian Association of Storytellers (GAS) is a group whereby people from all walks of life come along to listen to stories, and tell stories orally. We organise events, workshops and get-togethers, and provide professional storytellers. GAS meets monthly.

Visit the Grampian Association of Storytellers website

Lemon Tree Writers

The group meet at 11am on alternate Saturdays.

Visit the Lemon Tree Writers website

Email: [email protected]

Aberdeenshire

Huntly writers.

Huntly Writers is open to anyone over the age of 18 years who is, or wants to be, actively engaged in creative writing. We are based in the market town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where we usually meet on a fortnightly basis.

(Visit the Huntly Writers website]( https://www.huntly-writers.co.uk/ )

Mearns Writers

The Mearns Writers are "a dynamic group of story writers, poets, and novelists predominantly based within Aberdeen and its surrounding areas". Welcoming all skill levels and walks of life, the Mearns Writers currently meet once a week every Thursday at 7:00 pm through Zoom meetings, due to lockdown.

Mearns Writers' Facebook

North East Writers

North East Writers is a literature development agency aiming to support, promote and coordinate new writing in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, working in partnership with venues, publishers, writers' groups and individual writers based in the region.

North East Writers' website

Spindrift Writers

Please email for more information.

Spindrift Writers' website

Email: [email protected]

Ythan Writers

Ythan writers have been meeting for over a decade. They currently meet every Wednesday at 2.30pm - 4.30pm at the Station Hotel in Ellon during school term times. £3.50 entry, includes tea and cake.

Email: [email protected]

Angus Writers' Circle

Angus Writers' circle meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Rosely Hotel. The programme of meetings includes speakers, workshops and club nights when members read their work and crits are given. Currently not accepting new members due to numbers.

Email: [email protected]

Argyll and Bute

Add[ed.]ition.

A writing group near Oban looking for flash fiction, poetry and short stories.

Email: [email protected]

Clackmannanshire

Alloa writers.

Alloa Writers meet every other Wednesday in the games room of the Station Hotel. One of the aims of the group is to support one another by offering feedback on work brought to meetings, and to encourage each member to develop their skills.

Alloa Writers' website

Email: [email protected]

Dumfries and Galloway

Crichton writers.

Crichton Writers meet once a month all year round on Thursday mornings on the Crichton Campus, Dumfries. We operate largely as a peer-led group, using the considerable experience acquired over the 18 years the group have had work published and performed.

Crichton Writers' website

Lockerbie Writers

A friendly and supportive group that is open to writers of all levels and genres, including beginners. The group meets every second Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon at the Townhead Hotel.

Lockerbie Writers' website

Email: [email protected]

A Novel Approach

A friendly and supportive group for writers who are working on a novel or novel-length project. Open to writers of all genres. The group meet on alternate Wednesdays from 7.30pm at the Somerton Hotel, Lockerbie.

Visit A Novel Approach's Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Douglas Writers' Group

An informal small group run as part of the University of the Third Age. We meet every Thursday in Douglas Community Centre Dundee at 10 am - 12 noon.

Email: [email protected]

Nethergate Writers

The Nethergate Writers meet on the last Wednesday of every month, in the Dalhousie Building at Dundee University. We welcome all types of writers, from those who have been or are hoping to be published to those who just write for their own enjoyment.

Nethergate Writers' website

East Ayrshire

South west writers.

We hold regular workshops on material that members bring in and also set tasks at our meetings. These are fortnightly from 5 - 7pm on Wednesdays at the Centre Stage Café Bar in Kilmarnock.

Email: [email protected]

Write Here is a poetry group run by Caroline Johnstone as part of her role as Poet in Residence at Dundonald Castle. It meets on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30, with a break for coffee at the cafe there. Places are limited but if interested please get in touch.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 07709408880

East Dunbartonshire

Bearsden writers.

The group meets fortnightly to take forward writing and publishing ventures, meeting alternately in person and on Zoom. Meetings are held on Thursdays: in-person meetings are held in the Burnbrae on Mingavie Road, Bearsden from 10 am to 12pm; online meetings are held from 7pm to 9pm, .

Email Barbara: [email protected]

Campsie Writers' Group

An informal group where Authors and prospective authors can share ideas and learn new skills. We meet in the Lennoxtown Library Hub on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 1.30 to 3pm from January to June and September to December.

To book a free place please contact Lennoxtown Library.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0141 7773151

Strathkelvin Writers' Group

Strathkelvin Writers' Group aims to develop and encourage all forms of writing by its members: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's writing.

Visit the Strathkelvin Writers' Group website

East Lothian

Tyne and esk writers.

Tyne and Esk Writers comprises of eight writing groups, with around 100 members in total, in Midlothian and East Lothian.

Tyne and Esk Writers' website

All Write Now

All Write Now is an adult writing group for writers of all levels. It takes place the first Monday of the month at 6pm in Haddington Library.

Email: [email protected]

Captain's Inkwell

The groups meets at Newington Library every second Friday at 2.30pm. Writers of any kind or level welcome.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Connect and Create

A women only writing group (All women-only events are inclusive of Trans, Intersex women, non-binary and gender fluid people) on the first Saturday of every month at Edinburgh Central Library. It is currently fully booked with a waiting list, so will be readvertised in future when there are spaces.

Visit the Connect and Create website

The Diggers Writers

The group meets at the Tourmalet Bar every Tuesday from 7.30 - 10pm to share, discuss and give criticism. The group is affiliated with The Workers' Educational Association.

Email: [email protected]

Edinburgh Genre Writers

The Edinburgh Genre Group is a collaborative, Milford-style writing workshop for published and unpublished Edinburgh writers interested in writing, critiquing and publishing commercial genre fiction.

Visit the Edinburgh Genre Writers website

Edinburgh Writers' Club

We are a community of writers in the Edinburgh area and beyond, with an annual programme of competitions, workshops and expert speakers. We meet every second Monday from September to May.

Edinburgh Writers' Club website

Rogue Writers

The group is a forum for anyone who is interested in writing, both readers and writers – new and experienced – to come and read their work and receive helpful criticism in a friendly environment.

Visit the Rogue Writers website

School of Poets

A Poetry group who meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 6-8pm at the Scottish Poetry Library (except for August and December).

Email: [email protected]

Scottish Arts Club Writers' Group

The Writers' Group meets on the last Wednesday at 7pm in the Studio. All are welcome, from new writers to published authors. Free for Members, £5 per session for non-Members.

Visit the Scottish Art Club Writers' Group

Scottish Poetry Library

A variety of writing groups hold events at the SPL. Please visit their Events page for more information.

The Scottish Poetry Library website

WHALE Poetry Group

A poetry group at the WHALE Arts Centre, 11.30am - 1pm on the last Wednesday of the month.

Visit the WHALE Arts website

Free and open to all, this group is run by Health All Round, a charity and community health project. Thursdays 3pm – 4.30pm, at Tynecastle Community Wing.

Email: [email protected]

Southside Writers

Helen Boden runs a weekly creative writing group at the Southside Centre, Nicolson St, Edinburgh. They meet on Friday mornings to write on themes that change on a termly basis.

Email: [email protected]

Edinburgh SFF

A friendly community for Science Fiction and Fantasy writers of all levels, packed full of resource, writing chat and day to day help.

Edinburgh SFF website

Denny Writers

We are a Writers Group open to all no matter what age, gender or ability. Our meetings are held on Thursdays at 1.30 pm to 3.30pm.

Visit the Denny Writers website

Falkirk Writers Circle

The Circle meet every Tuesday evening in the Greenpark Community Centre, Polmont, at 7.30pm.

The Falkirk Writers Circle website

Fife Writes

Fife Writes aims to provide opportunities for local writers of all kinds and abilities to improve their writing and to perform in front of live audiences if they wish.

Email: [email protected]

Visit the Fife Writes website

Buckhaven Writing Group

Every Tuesday between 2-4pm at Buckhaven Community Centre. 50p per session.

Largo Library Writers Group

Every Monday, 10am-12pm, at Largo Library. £2 per session, including refreshments.

Visit the Largo Library website

Gorbals Writing Group

A monthly writing group meeting on the first and second Saturday of each month, 10:30 to 11:30.

The sessions take place in the Community Meeting Room at Co-operative Store, 190 Crown Street.

Visit the Gorbals Writing Group website

Email: [email protected]

Glasgow Science Fiction Writers Circle

A fortnightly workshop for writers of Science Fiction and/or Fantasy. 7.45pm every second Tuesday.

The Glasgow Science Fiction Writers Circle website

Email: [email protected]

The Glasgow League of Writers (GLOW)

Currently, GLOW runs in iCafe Merchant City on the last Wednesday of every month, at 7pm. GLOW is a group for comic writers. There are no restrictions on demographics or level of experience, and submitting a script is not compulsory to attend. So long as you are interested in writing comics, and in engaging with scripts on the agenda, you're welcome to attend.

The Glasgow League of Writers (GLOW) website

Email: [email protected]

Caithness Writing Group

We meet every second Monday at 7.00pm in Nethercliff Hotel, Wick.

Visit the Caithness Writing Group website

Highland LIT

A literary group organising writers' events, open mics and writing groups.

Visit the Highland LIT website

Email: [email protected]

The Pen & I

A co-operative writers group that meets weekly on Tuesday mornings (apart from the school holidays) and offers a warm welcome to anyone who wants to write in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Email: [email protected]

Sunart Writers' Group

Sunart Writers' Group meets monthly, 3rd Thursday of the month, 7pm, Ardnamurchan Library, Strontian. New members always welcome!

Email: [email protected]

Words Writing Café

The Café runs once a month from 5pm-6.30pm upstairs in Waterstones, Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Find out more about the Words Writing Cafe

Greenock Writers' Club

All welcome. You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to join our club. Our members are all at different stages and levels of writing. So whether your thing is poetry, short stories, writing articles or perhaps novels, please come along.

Find out more about the Greenock Writers' Club

Find out more about Tyne and Esk Writers

Elgin Writers' Club

Meets on alternate Wednesday evenings usually in Elgin Library from March to December each year for those who wish to write for pleasure, and perhaps profit. Workshops, competitions, great chat and general support and encouragement to get writing!

Visit the Elgin Writers' Club Website

ForWORDS (The Forres Writing Group)

Meets every Tuesday evening, 7-9pm, in the boardroom of the Royal British Legion.

Find out more about ForWORDS

Na h-Eileanan Siar

Stornoway writers' circle.

Every Tuesday from 7-9pm at An Lanntair, welcome to anyone over the age of 16. No need to book, just turn up.

Visit the Stornoway Writers' Circle website

Uist Writers Group

The Writing Group meets at Taigh Chearsabhagh, usually on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. It is a very informal, friendly group of people who want to write for many varied reasons.

Find out more about the Uist Writers Group

North Ayrshire

Largs writers.

Largs Writers Group meet every Monday from 10a.m - 12 noon in Largs Library, Allanpark Street.

We are also affiliated with the local poetry group. "Poems & Pints" meet on the second Tuesday of every month, 7 - 9 p.m. in the Waterside Pub, Bath Street

Visit the Largs Writers website

Stevenston Creative Writing Group

A community group open to all engaging in a number of topics to explore creativity with words. The meetings are weekly - Friday (10-12) at Beattie Library and it is free to join in.

The Stevenston Creative Writing Group website

Email: [email protected]

North Lanarkshire

Writers group - cumbernauld library.

The Writers Group at Cumbernauld Library meets fortnightly from 11am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The sessions are suitable for beginners and for experienced writers.

Entry: free

Find out more about the Writers Group at Cumbernauld Library

Stromness Writing Group

We are an informal, friendly group of writers who meet fortnightly to share writing exercises and feedback. The meetings are usually from 6.30pm - 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings.

Visit the Stromness Writing Group's website

Perth and Kinross

Perthshire writers.

A writing group with regular events, including critique nights.

Find out more about the Perthshire Writers

Renfrewshire

Erskine writers.

The group meets on Tuesdays from 1.30 - 3.30 pm at the Bargarran Community Centre. We welcome people who are interested to attend our meetings to see if we are what they require.

Email: http://erskinewriters-uk.blogspot.com/

Scottish Borders

Borders writers' forum.

A warm welcome to both established and beginner writers at 7pm every third Thursday of the month. See website for full details or email for up to date programme.

Visit the Borders Writers' Forum website

Email: [email protected]

Peebles Library Writing Group

First Monday of the month at 10:30am-12:30pm.

Find out more about the Peebles Library Writing Group

Lerwick Writers' Group

Lerwick Writers Group meet on the first Tuesday of each month ( except January) at 7.00pm in the Mareel cinema and arts venue (meeting in the foyer beforehand). All forms of writing and levels of experience are welcome.

Email: [email protected]

Unst Writers Group

Unst Writers Group meets once a month at Hamar, Baltasound, usually on a Wednesday evening. You can contact the group through the secretary, Gordon Thomson.

Email: [email protected]

Callander Writers’ Group

Callander Writers’ Group is a group of aspiring writers who get together on Tuesday mornings, 10.30-12.30, sometimes via Zoom, but currently meeting in each other’s homes in Callander and surrounding area, to share our writing, and offer each other support, constructive criticism and encouragement.

Email: [email protected]

Central Poetry Club

A Poetry and Spoken Word group for beginners in Central Library in Stirling. It will run on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 5.45pm - 6.45pm.

Email: [email protected]

The Novel Pool

The group meets fortnightly on Thursdays at the Macrobert Centre to discuss and critique submitted work.

Email: [email protected]

South Ayrshire

Ayr writers club.

The group welcomes new and established writers. There are speakers, workshops and informal read around nights.

Visit the Ayr Writers Club website

Troon Writers

We are a small group of enthusiasts who enjoy story writing and meet every second Thursday at Troon Library from 4.30 - 6.30 pm. Should you wish further information, please contact Troon Library on 01292 315352.

West Lothian

West lothian writers.

The group normally meet every second Tuesday to offer advice and support to each other.

Find out more about West Lothian Writers

Email: [email protected]

Gloucestershire Writers' Network

• 2024 Competition
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Writing Groups & Courses

A collection of Writing Groups, Courses and Writers' Cafes around Gloucestershire. These are both online and in-person. If you have a Group you'd like to add, please email  [email protected]

Writing Groups

Get Started Writing Fiction on Saturday 8 June. The workshop costs £22 and is an in-person event at our Cirencester bookshop. The start time is 11am and it will run for approx. 2 hours. The workshop is perfect for people who are at the early stages of becoming a fiction writer. It will cover the basics […]

Get Started Writing Your Memoir on Saturday 11 May. The workshop costs £18 and is an in-person event at our Cirencester bookshop. The start time is 11am and it will run for approximately 2 hours. The workshop is for people who are at the early stages of writing their memoir or simply don’t know how to […]

The Phare are running an online workshop on 25th April at 7:30pm on how to market yourself as a writer. The host is Claire Harrison, who is a published writer and has 35 years marketing experience. Book tickets for £10 More info and how to book a place here

Adam Horovitz is running in person poetry courses at the Trinity Rooms in Stroud on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from April 16. Tuesday has one space left, but there are spaces available on the Weds course, including 1 concessionary space. Details here  

The Inklings is a drop-in creative writing group for parents. Meeting place:  Fat Toni's, Stroud Wednesdays, 9.30 - 11.30 am Text Ella for more information - 07581388371

Wordmaids is a women’s writing group that has been running for nearly ten years, led by writer Jarek Adams. We meet monthly (Saturday afternoons from 2-5pm) on Zoom to explore different aspects of writing and to share work in progress for feedback. We also do two live sessions each year in April & September at […]

Black Eyes and The Gloucestershire Poetry Society are hosting an opportunity for poets and writers to share and discuss. Upstairs (lift available) at the Ed Shed (the Folk), 2 Quay Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG 4th Monday of the month at 7.15 pm Feb. 26th, March 25th and April 22nd 2024 Admisson £5 on the door […]

The idea is simple: show up and start writing. Writers of all types; fantasy, fanfic, freelancers, whatever you're into. The plan is to meet up at a cafe fortnightly on Sundays from 11-1, after which we'll have a chat over a drink. Info here (You may need to join Meetup to access)

Calling all poets … we’ve started a new monthly live music and spoken night in Cheltenham.  If you want a slot to showcase your talents contact us here More about Raggedy Man Press here

Do you enjoy listening to the spoken word read live? Would you like to read your own work or a favourite piece in the open mic? If so, then please join us at Cirencester Library on the second Monday of the month at 2 - 3 pm Tea and coffee available. For more information, contact […]

Check the Cleeve Bookshop website for writing groups here  

Gloucester Storytelling Cafe is held on the first Thursday of every month, 7 pm for 7.30 pm start at The Folk of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester. Guest storyteller and Open Mic.  Share your stories with us.

Cheltenham Library Poetry Cafe runs on the last Friday of the month except for December, between 1 and 2 pm. You are free to read one poem that you have written or a favourite from another poetry book.  Or just sit back and enjoy listening to some wonderful poetry. 2024 Programme January 26th      […]

Saturday 20th May 9.30 am - 1 pm, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Downend, BS16 2RW, Cost £28 Come along with a writing project or choose from a list of prompts provided to help inspire ideas. Drinks, croissants and pastries for motivation. For booking information email [email protected], Facebook:  Begin Writing, Twitter: @mariedaywriting

A small Cheltenham-based group that meets monthly to write poetry together. First Thursday of month 2-4pm. Contact Clair Chilvers [email protected] or 07770666601.

Gloucester Library's Poetry Cafe is held on the last Tuesday of the month 12.30-2.00pm.  Come & join us. Bring a poem to share. Gloucester Library,  Brunswick Rd, Gloucester GL1 1HT.    

Come and explore the benefits of creative raw expression through writing and sharing. With deep storytelling, creative writing exercises and  soul connection we will explore our inner landscape. This can help nurture our creative practice, see things differently, and embolden our self-expression. All you need is a pad and pen and a desire to write, […]

At our meetings, members have the opportunity to read their work in a positive and helpful environment. The work may be inspired by the optional ‘homework’ which is designed to help the creative juices flow, or be the next few pages of your novel or your poem or short story. Meetings are also a time […]

Mentoring for writers: poetry, fiction, non-fiction and hybrid with our award-winning poets and authors. POA, www.dialect.org.uk/grow-mentoring [please note this site won’t be live until w/c 17th April] Writing retreat for busy people, Friday 19th May at The Hide, Pinfarthings, nr Nailsworth, 9.30am – 2.30pm, hosted by JLM Morton, £35.  Info here Tuning In: nature based practices […]

THE POETRYKIT SHORT COURSES FOR MAY 2023 – 8TH TO 29TH MAY 2023 This three-week course will be looking at Journeys and how they can inform all aspects of poetry.  From actual journeys to new places, through embodying journey as a metaphor to engaging with the journey through life.  There are many ways to approach […]

A 6 week course for beginners or those wanting to start writing again, run by Marie Day at the Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, BS16 2RW from 23rd February - 30th March, 1.00 - 2.30 pm Email [email protected]    

Buzzwords meets regularly for a poetry reading, open mic and workshopping session on the second Sunday of each month (except for August) upstairs at the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham. Start time 7pm for the workshop or 8pm for the poetry reading. Finish time is 10pm. More info here  

  8 weeks, starting Tuesday 4th July 2023 to Tuesday 29th August, 7.00pm to 9.00pm every Tuesday evening in The Cleeve Bookshop, 2, Mill Parade, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Glos., GL52 8RL. (There will be no workshop on Tuesday 8th August).   There will be generative content to the workshops, i.e. we’ll write some […]

We are a friendly creative writing group based in Cheltenham. We are open to anyone who wants to write and improve their writing through feedback. We write stories, poems, articles, drama and anything else that appeals. Each Sunday morning at 10.30, each person brings along something to read out, but you are welcome to attend […]

7pm 26th January - online Writing Stillness by donation via eventbrite here 7pm 16th February - online Writing Ourselves into Love £24 via eventbrite here 7pm 16th March - online Cracking the Egg Storytelling and Alchemical writing £24 via eventbrite here

'Developing Short Stories' is run by Marie Day and Anna Giangiordano, Friday 6th Jan to Fri 10th Feb, 1pm to 2.30 pm at Under the Edge Arts. £45. We will look at different aspects of short fiction, use writing prompts to create our own stories and critique each others' work in fortnightly workshops. Please email […]

Dean Writers was formed in 1978.   Its object is to support and encourage local writers.  More information here    

This new group welcomes any SoA members to give it a try! The next meeting is on Thursday 19 January, 2.30-4.30, in the Library Room at the Stonehouse Court Hotel, between Stroud and the M5 exit 13. There is no payment, but coffee, tea and other refreshments are on sale from the bar. Please register […]

Storyteller and writer Sarah Mooney is holding an online writing workshop on 18th December, 19.00 - 21.30. You can find out more about Sarah here You can buy tickets here

Storyteller and writer Sarah Mooney is holding an online writing workshop on the 17th November, 19.00 - 21.30. You can find out more about Sarah here You can buy tickets here

Tell Tales writing group was established in 2017 with monthly meetings, first Wednesday of the month, and occasional public performances. Contact: Tony Anhoury 07879 631141 or [email protected]

A Poetry Writing Club led by Claire Thelwell starts Wednesday 5th October in The Cleeve Bookshop, Bishops Cleeve.  More info here

A new prose workshop led by Steven John is running Tuesday evenings from 18 October at Cleeve Bookshop in Bishops Cleeve.  More info here  

Thursday Evening Writers’ Group members meet every Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm (with breaks for holiday periods). The venue is a short walk from Cirencester town centre; free on-site parking is available. It is an informal and friendly group, writers of poetry and verse, short and longer fiction, and memoir are all represented.  […]

Gloucestershire Poetry Society holds online poetry events featuring headline poets and open mic.  More information here    

An online course offering six sessions on Wednesday evenings 12th Oct - 16th Nov 7-9pm which include three short offbeat writing exercises (one with a wellbeing theme); appreciating each other's responses; some cheerful laughter to finish the session. Suggested price £10 per session - please pay less if you wish. Aims: creative expression, playfulness, pausing […]

Evesham Festival of Words celebrates words in all their forms, written, spoken or sung and put on regular events including poetry open mic and writing workshops.  To find out what's going on, check their website here

The Writers' and Directors' Workshop (part of the Natura Contemporary Theatre) based in Gloucestershire have a long established reputation for delivering high quality bespoke writing workshops for groups and organisations, as well as for individual writers requiring one-to-one feedback, and a dramaturgy service for scripts going into production. We cover scriptwriting for the theatre, radio, […]

Montpellier Writers Group was established in 2006 and founded by Liggy Webb. The group meets monthly at The Strand in Cheltenham High Street. We welcome anyone who would enjoy being part of an informal group that allows creative juices to flow and provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to write. For more information email [email protected]

The group that used to meet at the Suffolk Anthology has had a change of name and now meets on Zoom on Tuesday afternoons once a month. You can sign up for the sessions via Meetup (www.meetup.com). The group is now administered by John Lynch. The meetings are especially useful for writers who’ve been working […]

Wotton Writers Group meets monthly in and around Wotton-under-Edge.  They are a small group of writers with wide-ranging interests and experience, from complete beginners to published authors.  You can find out more about them and what they offer here  They also have a Facebook page here

Creative Writing Courses at Chipping Norton Theatre led by Helen Yendall   Tickets: £85    Times: 10.30am - 12.30pm Dates: Mon 5th Sept - Mon 14th Nov (exc. Mon 24th Oct)  Courses are also offered from 1 - 3pm    More information here Keep an eye on the website for future courses here

Dialect provides immersive learning, sharing and publication opportunities to writers in rural/small town/remote areas. More details about their courses here   

On the second Saturday of every month, Crumps Barn Studio hosts an online writing group for authors of poetry, memoir and fiction. It is ideal for both established authors who are looking for some support, and for those who are new to writing who are looking for some tips to help you get started. Joining […]

This group was set up by Leonard Custard, apprentice clown, Maggie Clutterbuck, Forest Bard & variety star Darren Hoskins who decided there was a gap in the Forest of Dean for writers, poets, performers, story tellers etc. The Bream Coffee shop agreed to host a regular monthly evening and since then they have enjoyed healthy […]

The Phare holds a writing group which is free to attend. Writers work for half an hour either to write to a prompt or to work on their own pieces. At the end there is opportunity to read out your work if you want to. They also run workshops with feedback for writers on their […]

Our group was created about six years ago and meets, now on-line, every Wednesday afternoon. Our work covers poetry novels, short stories, drama, including radio plays on Corinium Radio and commissioned plays. We created and produced for loal radio six episodes of The Inn on the Green, very loosely modelled on The Archers. Our writers […]

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft , Understanding Publishing

Posted on Nov 19, 2018

15 of the Best Online Writing Communities for Aspiring Authors

As enjoyable and fulfilling as writing can be, the truth is that it’s often a solitary endeavor. While we might romanticize the focused artist typing away while imaginary worlds and narratives swirl inside their minds — authors know the truth: writing can get lonely. And moreover, when you’re working on a one-person project, it can be hard to remain motivated and accountable. That’s where writing communities come in.

Writing communities are the perfect place to find answers to your writing questions and to discuss the ins and outs of the writing life with people who actually understand what you’re talking about.

So, if you are tired of listening only to the voices in your head, take a look at our list of top online writing communities. (And if you're hungry for more, check out our more exhaustive list of the very best writing websites !)

Top online writing communities

1. absolute write water cooler.

With over 68,000 members, this is a large and highly active community. Here you can find threads on every genre imaginable, as well as discussions about freelance writing , the publishing industry, pop culture, writing prompts and exercises, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who are looking for a large and active community.

2. AgentQuery Connect

While this forum will come in handy for any writer, it’s especially helpful for authors who have already completed their manuscript and are wondering what to do next. The site boasts a wealth of information on publishing topics such as querying agents, self-publishing tips, and book promotion advice.

Perfect for: writers who are looking to connect with agents and learn more about the publishing industry.

3. Camp NaNoWriMo

If you’ve ever wanted to go to a writer’s retreat but can’t afford it just yet, then this site might help scratch your itch. Holding online “camp sessions” in April and July, Camp NaNoWriMo offers a digital space to encourage and empower writers at any point of their career. Here you can work on drafts, revisions, short stories, or any other writing project that involves word-count goals.

Perfect for: writers who can’t wait until November to crack their writing goals .

4. Critique Circle

Feedback should be a vital part of any writer’s process, and this is exactly what Critique Circle offers. This members-only site allows authors to post stories in exchange for feedback on other people’s writing. You can also find storyboarding tools , writing prompts , workshops, name generators , games like hangman, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who want honest feedback on their writing.

5. Chronicles

As the world’s largest Science Fiction and Fantasy online community, Chronicles offers writers the opportunity to get together and discuss the latest books, news, and pop culture in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy world. This is an active community with thousands of threads that include genre-specific challenges, workshops, critiques, and even publishing and industry information.

Perfect for: writers interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy writing.

6. Facebook Groups

If social media is more your style, don't miss the chance to interact with your fellow writers by joining Facebook groups in your own niche. Look for groups with a strict "no self-promotion" rules so that it remains supportive and useful to your writing goals.

There are a lot of groups out there in a variety of topics that range from genre-specific writing tips to traditional and self-publishing industry news. Here are just a few of them:

The Street Team — Reedsy's own book marketing group for self-publishing authors. 10 Minute Novelists — a group for the time-crunched writer. Calls for Submissions  — for writers looking for publication opportunities. Fiction Writers Global — a great resource for information about traditional and self-publishing. Writers Unite! — an active group with plenty of support and motivation for novice and experienced writers alike.

Perfect for: writers who prefer using social media.

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7. Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Whether you are a debut or seasoned author, there’s no doubt that writing a book can be intimidating and rife with bouts of self-doubt. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group aims to help you overcome those insecurities by hosting a community of like-minded authors.

Perfect for: writers who have doubts about their writing and are in need of encouragement.

8. The Next Big Writer

This is an international forum where writers can receive feedback on their writing and support on every other part of the creative process from drafting to publishing and marketing. The critiques are often thorough and many come from published authors. Keep in mind that there is a monthly cost associated with the membership, but it might be worth it to be able to bend the ear of published authors.

Perfect for: writers seeking in-depth critiques from an international audience.

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More than just a single writing community, Reddit has countless ‘subreddits’ where writers of all genres, interests, and levels of experience flock. While it may not offer workshops or tools, members can find niche threads that relate to their interests, critique other people’s work, and discover helpful sources of information.

There are so many different subreddits that you can get lost browsing them, but here are a few of the most popular ones:

r/writing — for general writing purposes. r/writingprompts — for user-submitted writing prompts. r/destructivereaders — beware, if you don’t like harsh criticism this may not be the best fit. But if you are willing to endure it, you will come out a better writer at the end. r/worldbuilding — user submitted fiction worlds. r/fantasywriters — for anybody interested in the fantasy genre. r/characterforge — the place to be for character building. r/writerchat — for those interested in talking with fellow writers. r/selfpublish — for anybody interested in self-publishing. r/logophilia — “the love of words and word games,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. r/freelanceWriters — for anybody interested in a career in freelance writing . r/books — because reading is just as important as writing if you want to be a successful author.

Perfect for: writers who want niche threads based on a particular interest or need.

10. Scribophile

One of the largest communities in the world, Scribophile offers workshops, tutorials, and critiques for authors in just about any genre imaginable. While it is free to join, only users who pay for a membership get access to all their features.

Perfect for: authors whowant to take part in writing workshops alongside writers of all experience levels.

11. She Writes

With over 30,000 members, this is the largest writing community exclusively for women. Here you can find articles on writing, editing, and marketing for every genre. There are forums tailored to specific needs, like travel writers, writing about trauma, NaNoWriMo, and many other topics.

Perfect for: women writers who want a place to connect and learn from fellow writers.

12. Talentville

If your passion lies in screenwriting, then you’ll want to book a one-way ticket to Talentville. Here you can get feedback on your writing and learn the skills necessary to perfect your screencraft. Plus, you can work on and build your network of contacts: the site is also a frequent stop for industry professionals (like agents, managers, and producers) on the lookout for new talent.

Perfect for: writers whoare interested in screenwriting and networking.

13. Underlined

A writing community by Penguin Random House. While any author can find helpful information on this website, it’s geared more towards younger writers. It has a well-designed platform, quizzes, genre-specific information, the latest news on book releases, Q&As with authors, and even some giveaways and excerpts as perks.

Perfect for: younger writers who are looking for genre-specific information and bookish perks.

14. Writers Helping Writers

This is a free-to-register community where you can find resources for writers, teachers, and editors alike. They offer a vast array of tools to perfect your craft, no matter your level. Their extensive creative library includes webinars, free writing and marketing tools, a thesaurus collection, story maps, idea generators, and more.

Perfect for: writers, editors, and teachers who are looking to build up their writing toolbox.

15. #WritingCommunity

Sometimes, all you need is a hashtag. And indeed, Twitter's own #WritingCommunity is one of the most robust writing collectives on the web. Ask a question, and it'll almost certainly get answered (without a lot of Twitter's trademark snark). The key here is to keep your questions concise, reply often to others, and don't go crazy with other hashtags. The community can tell if you're just thirsty for RTs. Perfect for: writers who are finally ready to use Twitter for good — and not just for procrastinating.

Do you belong to a writing community? Which one is your favorite one? Add yours in the comments below!

13 responses

27/11/2018 – 22:42

Very useful post. Thanks for this. I will be linking to it on my blog.

Dr Jack Edward Effron says:

18/02/2019 – 16:40

You left out taylz.com. It’s truly free. They are not going to give you a rubbish service to make you join their pay site because they have no pay site. Your story can be 8,000 words. They are not going to force you into flash fiction of 3,000 words. One critique out, one critique in: no mucking about with “karma” or critiquing 5+ stories to get one critique. The great new idea whose time has come! And it’s British, not American.

marieseltenrych says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Reedsy, thank God you are here! I want to ask a question to other authors or self publishers here: I have been approached by OmniScriptum to publish my books (research) with them. I cannot find much about this company online, so wondered if anyone has published with them recently? Thanks Reedsy in anticipation. Marie

↪️ Reedsy replied:

08/05/2019 – 12:29

Hi Marie! Sounds potentially very shady to me. If you haven't already, check out our post on predatory companies in publishing. One of the rules of thumb is that if a publisher contacts you first, be very wary. I just did 20 seconds worth of Googling and found some people who had a bad experience.

Eunice Brownlee says:

I am a member of illuminate, which is a group designed around supporting women who want to share their stories but don't know how. The majority of us write non-fiction essays and memoirs, but we have a few poets and fiction writers in the mix as well. The overall goal is to support each other, especially through those harder moments of not wanting to write, or not knowing where to start. There are monthly themes and prompts, a weekly exercise inside the Facebook group, and cross-sharing of what we're working on. My favorite feature is the expert review, where you can submit any piece you're working on each month and you'll get quality feedback from one of the editors that manage the group. This group is perfect for anyone who is just getting started writing.

↪️ Brittani B replied:

11/02/2020 – 19:27

I tried the link multiple times both from this page and separately searched and was unable to access the site.

Harry says:

05/06/2019 – 07:51

Personally I think you missed out the best writing community: https://community.jerichowriters.com/ Jericho Writers is a free writing community that writers can safely share thought, make friends, swap work and get advice

Christian says:

08/08/2019 – 12:21

I only recommend Scribophile if you enjoy being coerced into groupthink. If you hope to get meaningful critique that will help you, look elsewhere. The critiques here are mostly SPAG, and it's forbidden to discuss your work on the main forums, except in the broadest, vaguest way.

Randy says:

18/08/2019 – 06:11

I have all my dads writing research and copyrights to 18 different books....all this was before the digital world .... many negatives photos ....every major story from all over the world with his .copyright . These are huge stores and his books are really well written ....what should I do with them .....incredible spy work as well

Ratih says:

27/08/2019 – 03:50

As a new writer this article is really useful for me. Thank you reedsy

Jennifer says:

02/09/2019 – 14:15

Hi guys! Great blog! Just wanted to let you know that we linked to you in a blog on the Peaceful Living Wellness Online Magazine :) It will be published on Friday, September 6th, 2019

↪️ Martin Cavannagh replied:

17/09/2019 – 09:04

Thanks! We appreciate that!

Kaylee Downey says:

14/02/2020 – 19:09

Um...what about Wattpad?

Comments are currently closed.

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