face to face group meeting fortnightly at Scholars Cafe YHA, Tenison Road, Cambridge, CB1 2DN - they post stories/chapters on the group website, then critique each others work giving honest, detailed and helpful criticism (in writing) to beginners, published and unpublished authors - no website, contact:
[email protected] for details
online group meeting fortnightly on Monday afternoons - for any history writer in any genre or media: fiction and non fiction, trad and electronic publishing, blogging, scripts etc - there is a fee (see website for details) - facilitated by published historian Gill Rossini
for info email Gill at [email protected]
The London Writers’ Meetup is a friendly, informal get-together for writers of all disciplines and all levels of experience - the sessions are a great opportunity to connect with other writers, share writing resources, ask a question, be held accountable or just chat about the highs and lows of your work - held online, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
face-to-face group meeting every Monday evening at 7.30 (roughly, during school terms) in Dorney, near Slough, Berkshire - a group with a wide variety of abilities/ambitions, describing themselves as a writing support group, with a varied calendar of manuscript nights, talks, workshops, lively discussions and, at 50 years old, must be one of the longest-running groups around
face-to-face meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (except August) - formed in 1967, Solihull Writers' Workshop is one of the longest established writers' groups in Central England - they're a continuously evolving community of local people with a shared interest in writing
Serious, hardworking face to face group that meets two Sunday afternoons a month at The Columbia Inn at Peralynna - also attend each other’s public readings - they welcome new members
face to face group meeting at The Belmont Hotel, De Montfort Street, Leicester on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm - small informal group, no membership fee £2.50 collected from each member for each meeting attended, which goes towards publication of our anthologies and very occasional speakers - for info, contact:
friendly face to face group meeting at Parish Rooms, St Werburghs, Spondon, Derby every Monday from 10.30am to 12.30pm, except bank holidays - they have a different workshop on varying subjects every week and a six weekly competition judged by a professional author - Facebook page coming soon, but for now, contact Bronwen:
[email protected] / 01332 666972
at meetings, they discuss news / projects and members read their work, then discuss it with the group - annual subs £15 plus £2 per session (or £3 for wine-drinkers) - for more info email George at [email protected] or phone 07788 543764
Below are links to other websites that provide lists of writers' groups.
For reference, a record of writing groups that have closed or ceased to operate.
WA members post their work and then give and accept feedback - rota of duties include writing the weekly blog, chairing the monthly meeting on Skype, writing up the minutes and gathering information for the monthly newsletter -
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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 :)
The copyright of the stories and content published on this website remain with the author.
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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.
Introduction.
Are you thinking about starting a writing group? Joining one? And what is a writing group anyway? First things first:
A writing group is a bunch of people who come together to pursue the art or craft of writing.
There are many possibilities for a group’s structure and format. What these groups have in common is that they are a place to pursue something you care about—your writing— with other people. Many offer accountability, support, feedback and encouragement. In the best, you will improve your writing and make some good friends.
In this short guide to writing groups, we will share information on some of the common formats, help you figure out what kind of group might make sense for you, give tips on what to consider when starting or joining a group, and finally share some history and additional resources.
The value of quality creative writing critique for authors should go without saying. When you write, you’re full of intention and ideas and inspiration. But readers don’t get that. Readers get only what’s on the page. Crit helps you get some distance from your writing so you can see more clearly what really is there in your text.
For an author, receiving crit can be hard—hopes and intentions getting cut down with just a few words. “You need to develop a thick skin,” they say. I say you mainly need to learn how to get some distance from the material.
Giving good and useful critique is also hard. It’s a learned skill. Everybody has an opinion, but not everyone knows how to give quality crit. What most find is that learning how to provide criticism an author can use makes them a better author.
This is why every author working on a project or projects can benefit from belonging to a crit group.
After years of writing workshops in college and grad school, teaching a couple as an adjunct, and working in a handful of crit groups both good and not so much, I’ve seen a wide variety of styles and ground rules for author groups engaging in critique.
Most crit groups fall into one of two basic categories.
The first method was how some of my best writing workshops were run. There’s nothing like reading your text out loud to everyone. You hear your words with their ears. Awkward phrases, repetitions, overwriting, and errors leap up off the page. Your first time can be mortifying.
But it can be downright terrifying to hear someone else read your text aloud. Having to listen to your prose without any hint of performance to convey intention can reveal unintended line readings. You the author must sit there at the mercy of your own words there on the page.
The catch for this out loud approach is the time requirement. Reading out loud is slow. You can cover only so much material per hour—fine perhaps for a 3-hour workshop meeting 2–3 times a week, but maybe not so helpful for a crit group meeting two hours every two weeks.
For a group of authors who are working on longer projects or a number of shorts, I think the second type of group can work best. Each person emails out their pages (up to a mutually agreed-upon word count) 4–7 days in advance of the gathering. Then your meeting time can focus completely on discussion of the work. This way, you can cover a lot more material.
Just remember that you’ll have to take time reading and critiquing everyone else’s pages, so the time commitment is more than just the actual meeting.
That covers the logistics. But what about the content of the crit itself. The first thing to remember is:
“Everyone has a right to an opinion,” right? Sure. But crit requires more than having an opinion. It involves learning how to read someone else’s pages and provide helpful feedback that is informative, clear, and respects the author. Vague judgmental comments like “it sucks” are not helpful. Kid-gloves comments are not helpful either.
The goals of crit groups and workshops are:
Nobody is born being able to critique well. You have to learn from doing it. Guidelines can help.
I won’t call these rules. Consider these my preferences.
These are my druthers, drawn from experiences that reflect great privileges I was able to enjoy. My conclusions to date are nowhere near universal, but I hope some of these are helpful.
What are your thoughts?
Educating writers about the business and craft of writing., thank you for making 2024 iwg conference amazing.
Did you know that Idaho Writers Guild has online groups you can join? You can connect with other members, have lively discussions, and ask questions from the comfort of your own home (no pants required)
Check out the Groups Page and join today!
Every month we send out a newsletter to members and friends of IWG. One of the benefits of being a member is you can submit your writing events, book releases, book signings and awards to be featured in our newsletter. Just use the button below to submit your member news!*
*Events must be submitted by the 23rd of the month to be featured in the newsletter for the following month. While we will do our best, it is not possible to feature every submission. You must be a current, active, IWG member for your submission to be considered.
If you are ready to take your writing to the next level, joining a critique group can be a key element of your success. We currently have two critique groups available for members of the Idaho Writers Guild, and both have openings.
Click the link below to learn more!
Want to improve your craft or your approach to the business of writing? Check out the workshops we offer throughout the year.
Although open to anyone, members always get early tickets and discounts. Check out the schedule below to learn more!
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping writers navigate today’s complex publishing world. Help make a difference in the lives of writers in your community.
Check out what we’re doing, and donate today. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
If you or your organization offers events, workshops, and classes for the writing community, we want to hear from you. Use the button below to submit your events to be featured on our calnedar and shared on or social media accounts, and our event coordinator will be in touch. We love to support any organization that supports writers like we do.
Want to be a part of a growing and thriving local writing community? We want you! Whether you are also a part of other groups, or IWG is your first writing group ever, we want to be a part of your writing journey. Join today!
Do you want to be a part of helping our writing community grow and thrive? Then we want to talk to you. Click the button below to learn about new and upcoming volunteer opportunities!
The Idaho Writers Guild, a community-based literary arts organization, offers networking and educational opportunities as diverse as our members.
Vision Statement:
The vision of the Idaho Writers Guild is to support and nurture the craft and business of writing in the State of Idaho.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Idaho Writers Guild is to support writers through teaching craft, the business of publishing, the development of a community of peers, promoting resources for Idaho writers, and raising awareness of writing talent.
To fulfill our vision and mission, we host public programs and projects, including author readings, workshops, an annual writing contest, and a yearly conference.
Anyone is eligible for membership that entitles you to discounts on IWG workshops and events and other member-only benefits. The goal of the IWG is to provide a safe space for all writers of any ability level, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or for any other reason.
Because of the support of Guild members, board members, and partnerships in the community, we are able to provide a wide variety of discounted and free opportunities. Without you, there would be no Idaho Writers Guild.
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So you'd like to take a class to learn more about writing, or you'd like to get feedback from others to improve your work. Critique groups and classes offer support, feedback, accountability, and encouragement. You also stand a good chance of making life-long friends who also love the same thing you do: writing.
Writing Classes & Critique Groups contents
Take a Writing Class - This is a list of classes that are online and/or in the Boston area.
Choose the Right Critique Group for You - What should you consider when choosing a group? Find out here!
Join a Critique Group - This is a list of existing groups that are online and/or in the Boston area.
Start Your Own Critique Group - Tips for starting your own writing group!
Free vs cost & local vs online
A note on critique groups
You will see in Choosing the Right Critique Group For You a list of various types of groups, from writing to critique and social to accountability. For simplification, and because the most popular group among them is the critique group, this guide uses the term "critique" in a general sense to mean any of those types of groups.
Angela James' Classes - (Cost & Free/Online) Join editor Angela James as she teaches you how to edit your novel and learn the ins and outs of publishing .
The Writer's Roadmap – (Cost/Online) A free email course by author, Tomi Adeyemi. Her website also includes downloadable writing tools including structure and character worksheets, back story templates and planners, writing prompts, and more.
Gotham Writers - (Cost/Online) A creative home in New York City and online where writers develop their craft and come together in the spirit of discovery and fellowship. We’ve been teaching creative writing and business writing since 1993.
GrubStreet - (Cost/Local & Online) By rigorously developing voices of every type and talent and by removing barriers to entry, GrubStreet fosters the creation of meaningful stories and ensures that excellent writing remains vital and relevant. Includes w orkshops, online classes, intensives, a Young Adult Writers Program, Consulting, and more.
GrubStreet's Neighborhood Classes - (Free/Local) Write Down the Street has a special focus on making creative writing workshops more accessible to those who have been underrepresented due to cost, racism, immigration status, language access, lack of access to transportation, and other barriers. These are drop-in and multi-week classes offered by Grubstreet at your Boston Public Library neighborhood branches !
Holly Lisle's Writing Classes - (Cost & free/Online) Here you’ll find writing classes, lively discussions in forums filled with writers who WRITE, and the answer to "How do I do that?" The classes are available in ebook formats (Kindle/ePub) and printable PDFs.
LitReactor - ( Cost/Online ) We bring in veteran authors and industry professionals to host classes covering a wide range of topics (from the writing craft to finding an agent) in an online environment that’s interactive and flexible. You get detailed feedback on your work and take part in discussions in a judgement-free zone.
Master Class - (Cost/Online) Take video-based writing classes with best-selling authors like James Patterson, Judy Blume, R.L. Stine, Margaret Atwood, and others.
Peer 2 Peer University - (Free/Local) P2PU is a non-profit organization that helps get free online classes into the classroom setting. These are known as Learning Circles, where a facilitator helps students learn a specific topic, such as creative writing or computer coding. Check the class listings to see what is on offer or tell your community center or library that you're interested in a class.
Skillshare - (Cost & Free Trial/Online) These classes cover a wide variety of topics such as character driven stories and steps to a successful writing habit. They are also taught by published authors such as Roxane Gay, Simon Van Booy, Daniel Jose Older, and Yiyun Li.
Writer’s Digest University - (Cost/Online) Whether you’re writing for publication, extra money, or to tell personal stories, Writer’s Digest University can help you get your writing career underway. Our expert instructors will provide advice, specific instruction, real-world experience, expertise, and the motivation and drive to help you achieve your goals.
The Writers’ Loft - (Cost/Local) The Writers’ Loft is a non-profit community which helps local writers foster their creativity, strengthen their spirit and grow professionally by providing them with quiet writing space, educational programs, opportunities to connect with supportive colleagues, and access to industry experts, as well as opportunities to give back to the greater writing community.
Reasons to join a critique group
Know the types of groups first
There are four major types of groups, but they do not have to be exclusive of each other, as some groups may want to combine elements of two or more.
Writing groups - A writing group is traditionally a group of people who get together to write in the same space at the same time, and in general, keep each other motivated to get words down on paper. Keep in mind that many times a group labeled as a writing group could very well be a critique group as well.
Critique Groups - A critique group will usually do their writing on their own time and then come together to read what they've worked on and offer advice and critique the work.
Social Groups - These groups exist for writers to get together and talk about writing, whether it's about their own work, the way a publishing trend is going, how to market their upcoming book release, or anything in between.
Accountability Groups - Members will write on their own time and use the meetings as a deadline. The group is used to keep writers motivated and accountable for their work. They will check in with other group members to see where everyone is in writing and whether they're reaching their goals or are falling behind. Members can also read their work at meetings or use the time for other discussions on writing.
What to consider when looking for a group
Local groups
Asian American Resource Workshop Writers Group – (Cost) A hub for both accomplished writers as well as budding writers alike as a safe space to refine their craft. Members come together on a regular basis to share and discuss writings & ideas, get and provide support, and practice exercises to keep writing skills fresh.
Cambridge Writers’ Workshop – (Cost/Local & Online) All writers from novices to professionals, who are looking for a serious writing community, are welcome to join the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop, which includes online creative writing courses and writing retreats.
Writing Meetups in Boston - (Free & Cost) Many local writing groups use meetup.com to get together. Use this link to find writing groups not seen on this list, from casual writers to more serious critique groups, in and around Boston.
Warrior Writers – (Free) Warrior Writers is a national non-profit. Our mission is to create a culture that articulates veterans’ experiences, build a collaborative community for artistic expression, and bear witness to war and the full range of military experiences. Check the Events page for Boston area programs.
The Writers’ Loft - (Cost) The Writers’ Loft is a non-profit community which helps local writers foster their creativity, strengthen their spirit and grow professionally by providing them with a quiet writing space, educational programs, opportunities to connect with supportive colleagues, and access to industry experts, as well as opportunities to give back to the greater writing community.
Writers Room of Boston – (Cost) Founded in 1988, the Writers' Room of Boston is a nonprofit organization that functions as an urban writers' retreat committed to providing a quiet, affordable, and secure workspace for emerging and established writers. Members can choose to meet regularly for readings, community gatherings and events. Periodic readings of the members' work are organized and open to the public.
Writers Rumpus – (Free) A critique group in Andover, MA and blog for children’s, middle grade, and young adult authors.
Writers Without Margins – (Free) Our mission is to expand access to the literary arts for unheard and under-resourced communities in Greater Boston — including those isolated by the challenges of addiction recovery, trauma, poverty, disability, and mental illness — through free, collaborative, writing workshops, public readings, and publication opportunities intended to empower community, amplify the voices of individuals, and to share stories with the world.
Online groups
Critique.org - (Free) Workshops focus on in-depth critiques of your works, a process which helps both the recipient and the reviewer to grow. In addition to depth of analysis, much of critique.org's secret is our emphasis on respectful and diplomatic critiques.
Critique Circle - ( Free & Cost ) Critique and be critiqued online. By critiquing work by others, you earn credits which allow you to post your own work for critique.
Facebook - (Free) There are many writing groups on Facebook, for all of your whims and desires.
Goodreads - (Free) It's easy talk about books on Goodreads in their Groups area, whether you wrote them or you've just read them and want to recommend them to others.
Google Groups - (Free) Allows you to create and participate in online forums and email- based groups with a rich experience for community conversations.
Groups.io - (Free trial & Cost) Email Groups. Supercharged. A modern platform for serious communities. Powerful management tools. Mobile ready. No ads, no tracking.
Inked Voices - (Free) A platform for writing groups and an online space for writers.
Scribophile - (Free & Cost Accounts) A respectful online writing workshop and writer's community where writers of all skill levels join to improve each other's work with thoughtful critiques and by sharing their writing experience.
Writer'sCafe - (Free) Post your poetry, short stories, novels, scripts, and screenplays. Get reviews and advice from thousands of other writers, enter hundreds of free writing contests, join writing groups or start your own, take and subscribe to free online writing courses, and more.
Writing.com - (Free & Cost) W elcomes writers of all interests and skill levels. Whether you're a writer looking for the perfect place to store and display your poetry, stories and other writing or a reader willing to offer feedback for our writers and their writings, this is the website for you. Meet and bond with fresh creative minds!
Reasons to start your own group
It may be that there isn't a writing group in your area or that the groups near you don't meet your needs. But you need to be interested in helping other writers improve their work just as much as you're interested in having others help you improve yours. This should always be your top reason to start your own group. No writing group exists to help only one person.
If you don't have the time to help others right now, but still want feedback on your work, consider hiring an editor or find some beta readers. See the Finding an Editor tab under Publishing , for more information.
Tips for starting a local group that meets in-person
Time:
Mission Statement:
Membership:
Leadership:
Submissions:
Meeting Format:
Feedback Format:
Communication:
Change Happens:
Other things your group can do once you're set up:
Online places to start your own group
See the Join a Critique Group tab, for websites that can host your group online as well as this list, which may overlap.
Discord - Create a free chat space, known as a "server", where you can have multiple channels to discuss different topics as well as video and audio channels.
Facebook Groups - There are many book groups on Facebook, and it's easy to start your own here as well.
Goodreads - It's easy talk about books on Goodreads in their Groups area, and they have a poll feature that makes voting on your next read super easy!
Google Groups - If you're comfortable connecting via email, try searching Google for online groups.
Groups.io - (Free trial & cost) Email Groups. Supercharged. A modern platform for serious communities. Powerful management tools. Mobile ready. No ads, no tracking.
Google Meet - Free video chat meeting space. It's easy to start a video and invite others to join or schedule something in advance!
Inked Voices - (Free trial & Cost) A platform specifically geared for small writing groups and workshops to collaborate intimately despite distance and strange schedules.
Jitsi Meet - A free, open source video chat platform. Simply type in the title of your meeting and you'll have an everygreen link you can keep forever!
Proboards - A free forum hosting service, where you can create your own forum and keep your discussions organized.
Slack - This app works on iOS, Android, PC, and MAC and is a free forum where you can set up discussion threads, add photos and documents and easily set up meetings and decide what you're reading next!
Zoom - This is a video chat platform that lets you have meetings up to 40 minutes for free.
Ways to critique
Here are a couple of articles on how to write a critique that you may find helpful for your group.
Writing Groups: How to Write a Constructive Critique by Mandy Wallace
Thoughts on Writing #12: Good Critique, Bad Critique by Seanan McGuire
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Idaho, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or simply a place to hang out with writers or submit your work, these are some Idaho writing organizations you might want to check out:
For more than a decade, WriteByNight has helped writers in Idaho and beyond achieve their literary goals. And we want you to be next! Claim your free consultation to learn about WBN’s customizable one-on-one writers’ services , including:
Book Coaching : If you’re writing a book and want some help along the way.
Manuscript Critique : If you’ve written a book and want a beta read, critique, or writing workshop.
Editing/Proofreading : If you’ve written a book and want someone to polish it for you.
Publication Assistance : If you’ve written a book and want help finding an agent or publisher.
Blue Sage Writers of Idaho
A writing group in southeastern Idaho that meets once a month to critique works-in-progress and share industry news.
The Cabin offers programs year-round, including youth and adult education, a Readings and Conversations series that brings the world to Boise one author at a time, and publication opportunities for all ages.
Idaho Commission on the Arts
A state organization that offers grants and awards to writers and elects annual writers-in-residence.
Idaho Writers Guild
A community-based literary arts organization that promotes education and literacy by hosting public programs and projects, including author readings, writing workshops on a broad spectrum of topics, writing contests, and conferences of interest to writers and readers of all genres.
Lost Horse Press
A nonprofit, independent press that publishes poetry titles of high literary merit and makes available fine contemporary literature through cultural, educational and publishing programs and activities.
Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers
Membership is open to anyone, published or unpublished, who is interested in self-publishing, including those from nearby Idaho.
Help us add to this list, Idahoans! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or an Idaho literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here
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If you enjoy creative writing, then the University Writing Center’s Creative Writing Group may be just the place for you. In this group, we will work together to explore creative writing in a safe, open, and encouraging environment. During meetings, we will write, investigate issues of craft, read and respond to each other's work, and have fun. Any member of the UofL community is welcome – undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. We welcome any genre of writing and any level of creative writing experience—all you need is an interest in creative writing!
The Creative Writing Group will meet in the University Writing Center from 5-6 pm on the following Thursdays:
- September 5
- October 3
- November 14
Join in with other writers in first-year composition and work on common assignments with feedback from your peers. This is a chance for you to meet other writers in the same courses and pool your expertise to help each other succeed.
The ENGL 101/102/105 Group will meet from 10-11am on the following Tuesdays:
-September 10
-September 17
-October 15
-October 29
-November 12
-November 26
Need an extra push to get writing done? Join us for an intense, nose-to-the-grind writing session where you'll sprint with other writers to get done what you might have been putting off.
Every Thursday from 5-7pm in our Ekstrom Library location.
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University Writing Center
Ekstrom Library 132
Kornhauser Library 218
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky 40292
Ekstrom Library
M 9 am - 5 pm
T, W, Th 9 am - 7 pm
F 9 am - 4 pm
Closed on student breaks and holidays
(502) 852-2173
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Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 1:51pm
Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader’s imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master’s in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.
If you’re ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master’s in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.
The skills learned in a creative writing master’s program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.
This article explores master’s degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master’s degree in creative writing.
Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.
A master’s in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.
In a creative writing master’s degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.
Creative writing master’s programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.
A master’s in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.
Below are a few common concentrations for creative writing master’s programs. These vary by school, so your program’s offerings may look different.
This concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.
A nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.
Explore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.
Screenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.
Below are some typical admission requirements for master’s in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you’ve met the appropriate requirements.
Story and concept.
This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.
Understanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.
You’ll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.
In this course, you’ll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.
While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.
If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.
An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media , marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.
If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.
Below are several careers you can pursue with a master’s in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Annual Salary: $74,280 Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master’s degree may be accepted at some schools and community colleges Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.
Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field Job Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.
Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.
Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor’s degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferred Job Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.
Median Annual Salary: $79,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.
Is a master’s in creative writing useful.
If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master’s in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.
One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.
A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.
Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.
The Stanford Creative Writing Program, founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one of the nation’s most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring undergraduates to develop their own unique creative written expression.
In the 1940s, E. H. Jones generously created the Wallace Stegner Fellowship, now considered the most prestigious creative writing fellowship in the U.S. for emerging writers. Dr. Jones also made possible the Jones Lectureships, which are limited, fixed-year teaching appointments, allowing exceptional Stegner Fellows some time and support to prepare a manuscript for publication, hone their teaching skills, and transition to a longer-term teaching career elsewhere.
The original framework of term-limited appointments allowed for a consistent flow of selected Stegner Fellows into the Jones Lectureship. However, over time this framework of term-limited appointments was not followed.
In the past two years, the School of Humanities and Sciences leadership and the Creative Writing Academic Council faculty have been working to formulate necessary changes in the program and to identify additional resources to meet its growing needs. A Working Group of Creative Writing Academic Council faculty held listening sessions and discussions.
Now, after thoughtful deliberation, the Working Group has recommended restoring the original intent of the Jones Lectureships: one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for a limited term, up to a total of five years. This change will again allow Stegner Fellows the opportunity to apply to be Jones Lecturers once they have completed their fellowships. In other words, the Jones Lectureships are not being eliminated; they are only being term limited, as was the original intent of the program, so that the Stegner Fellows have an opportunity to teach Creative Writing courses at Stanford. We plan for there to be as many lecturers in the Program in five years’ time as there are today, and we expect to offer more classes then than now.
The university, school, and numerous generous donors are committed to not only the excellence of the program but also its growth. This means increasing the number of Creative Writing classes to better meet high student demand as well as ensuring competitive compensation for both the lecturers and fellows. We will provide more updates in early fall quarter about the Creative Writing Program and how it will continue to be one of the preeminent programs in the nation.
We understand that these changes to the Jones Lectureships will be met with mixed reactions. However, we firmly believe that the changes advance the program’s pedagogical mission and provide promising writers with the resources to complete their books and obtain appointments at other colleges and universities.
Throughout the history of the program, the Jones Lecturers—both those who are here now and those who have been lecturers in the past—have helped make Stanford Creative Writing what it is today, and we are truly grateful to them for their significant contributions to the program’s mission.
Searching the collection.
The American Folklife Center (AFC) has numerous collections that pertain to the intersection of folklife and creative writing. In general, these collections are multi-format and broad in scope, with the poem, manuscript or other piece of creative writing forming only a part of the collection. We have created a number of genre canned searches here, to serve as a starting point for research into AFC collections related to creative writing.
First, you will want to identify potential keywords relevant to the creative writing genre you wish to research.
To conduct a search of the Library's catalog:
Only American Folklife Center collections are available for viewing and research in the American Folklife Center.
Follow the links below to view several canned searches
In addition to individual archival collections, the Center maintains additional files pertaining to folklore subjects. These records, referred to as "subject files" often contain relevant articles, event brochures, and occasionally correspondence related to a specific topic. Researchers visiting the American Folklife Center reading room can request these subject files for more resources.
Relevant subject files include:
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Creative Writing. Meet other local people interested in Creative Writing: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Creative Writing group. 870,533. members. 1,553. groups. Join Creative Writing groups. Related Topics:
done with free in-person and online writing groups. Start Today! You have the time. Commit to writing with others for an hour a week and find the accountability, focus, and structure you need to achieve your writing goals. Connect with community. Join free in-person and online events.
Here are few ways these groups might distinguish themselves: Form - If you only want to write and discuss novels, you can find a group for that. Same deal for poetry, screenwriting, short stories, creative nonfiction … you name it. Genre - A genre-specific group is great for advancing your expertise within that genre.
4. NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is one of the best online writing groups for beginners. It's basically an online retreat for writers where you can work on your writing, produce drafts, set and achieve goals and get all the support and encouragement that you need.
Writing is typically a solo endeavor, but finding a community of writers that support one another can be a great source of inspiration and encouragement. Whether you're a published author or want to start crafting your first book, a writing group can offer a supportive environment of like-minded people who share a passion for telling stories.
But participating in a group gives you the opportunity to interact with others, experience a sense of community, and gain emotional support. 2. You're struggling with accountability. You may decide to join a writing group if you're having a tough time holding yourself accountable. When writing in isolation, staying motivated can be a challenge.
Here are a few ideas for where to look for a writing group. 1. Local writing centers and communities. Usually a quick Internet search with your city and "writing groups" will yield some results. Attend the group, meeting, or class and see if the group feels like a good fit. 2.
What we're about. Writing a book? Let's MeetUp! Red Sands is a casual creative writing critique group open to all genres, from YA to mystery, literary to sci-fi, novels to poetry, screenplays to memoir. No fees or rigid structure. We get together to read drafts aloud and share feedback. Newbies are always welcome!
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 ...
Meet other local people interested in Creative Writing: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Creative Writing group. 423,383. members. 851. groups. Join Creative Writing groups. Related Topics: topical creative writing. Beginners Creative Writing. Largest Creative Writing groups. 1. Screenwriting Workshop with Award ...
Best Practice #3: Have a Plan, and Then Let It Go. I had this vision for the group and had this agenda and format I believed the group should follow. That lasted about a month, and then, I had to let it go. My agenda was not the agenda of the group. I had a plan based upon action and doing.
We meet every Thursday night from 7:00-8:30. Most meetups comprise three parts: a lesson on the craft or business of writing, writing time and a read-aloud with member feedback. If we're working on longer projects, we help brainstorm ideas or troubleshoot problem areas if people are struggling.
1. Create the right atmosphere. In order to get into the right creative space, you need to feel at ease with your fellow writers. Make sure new members are welcomed and introduced. And get everyone to say something in the big group at the beginning of every meeting so all members feel involved from the start.
Dan Brotzel (@brotzel_fiction) is author of a collection of short stories, Hotel du Jack, and co-author of a new comic novel about an eccentric writers' group, Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound). For 10% off your order, quote KITTEN10. This article first appeared on Almost An Author.
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.
A writing group is a bunch of people who come together to pursue the art or craft of writing. There are many possibilities for a group's structure and format. What these groups have in common is that they are a place to pursue something you care about—your writing— with other people. Many offer accountability, support, feedback and ...
Reading aloud. People on a rotating or productivity basis bring pages in and read aloud (or better, someone else reads aloud and the writer must listen). Pre-submit and discuss. Everyone in the group distributes pages in advance of meeting, everyone reads everything, marking up the printouts (or digital files) with comments.
The mission of the Idaho Writers Guild is to support writers through teaching craft, the business of publishing, the development of a community of peers, promoting resources for Idaho writers, and raising awareness of writing talent. To fulfill our vision and mission, we host public programs and projects, including author readings, workshops ...
Writing Meetups in Boston - (Free & Cost) Many local writing groups use meetup.com to get together. Use this link to find writing groups not seen on this list, from casual writers to more serious critique groups, in and around Boston. Warrior Writers - (Free) Warrior Writers is a national non-profit. Our mission is to create a culture that ...
A writing group in southeastern Idaho that meets once a month to critique works-in-progress and share industry news. The Cabin. The Cabin offers programs year-round, including youth and adult education, a Readings and Conversations series that brings the world to Boise one author at a time, and publication opportunities for all ages.
The Creative Writing Group will meet in the University Writing Center from 5-6 pm on the following Thursdays: - September 5 - October 3 - November 14. ENGL 101/102/105 Writing Group. Join in with other writers in first-year composition and work on common assignments with feedback from your peers. This is a chance for you to meet other writers ...
Postsecondary Creative Writing Teacher. Median Annual Salary: $74,280. Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master's degree may be accepted at some schools and community ...
This guide is intended as an introduction to resources within the American Folklife Center related to the intersection of folklife studies and creative writing, including poetry, memoir, novels, and non-fiction genres. AFC collections pertaining to the writing process, including interviews with authors and poets about their work
The Stanford Creative Writing Program, founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one of the nation's most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring undergraduates ...
Creative writing excerpt from Alan Lomax collection. Alan Lomax Collection (AFC 2004/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. This guide provides an introduction to doing research on the topic of creative writing using American Folklife Center collections, and serves as a companion piece to an existing guide on Narrative and Verbal Arts in AFC collections.
The MFA experience culminates with each student writing and defending a creative thesis. For prose writers, theses are 100 pages of creative work; for poets, 48 pages. Though theses often take the form of an excerpt from a book-in-progress, students have flexibility when it comes to determining the shape, form, and content of their creative ...
Get it write: the writing center Whether you're an English major or you avoid essays like the plague, everyone could use some writing help every now and then. The Writing Center offers help with every step of the writing process on an individualized basis, because we know everyone is different. This means help with essays, outlines, creative ...
Poetry appears as a form of expression in multiple occupational groups. This tradition is most associated with the cowboys of the American West but occurs among other occupations. In his presentation for the Benjamin Botkin Folklife Lecture Series, Jens Lund introduces the poetry genres found among Pacific Northwest fishers and loggers and ...
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Maria Dulce Pino Dickerson and her companies Creative Legal Fundings in CA and The Ubiquity Group LLC with raising approximately $7 million from more than 130 investors through a fraudulent securities offering targeting members of the Filipino-American community across the United States.
The collection documents reactions of ordinary citizens in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States in sound and video recordings of interviews and personal narratives; as well as photographs, children's drawings, two scrapbooks, letters and e-mail, poems, ephemera, a sermon, and a few artifacts, including three United States flags.