An illustration of a keyboard, blue with white letters, with some keys replaced with windows in which writers are engaged with one another. A dog and a cat as well as potted plants are also seen through some of the windows.

We all know that writing is a solitary art—but that doesn’t mean writers work in a vacuum. If you’re like most writers you crave honest, respectful feedback; a community of peers with whom to share the challenges of the blank page; writers who are there for you, who will show up to cheer you on and compare notes on submissions, rejections, agents, and all the rest.

Writing groups are an age-old solution to that problem. Most of us rely on feedback from others to refine our work, bring projects to completion, and sustain a writing practice over the long haul. Some are lucky enough to click with people they meet in school, at a conference, or in a workshop—and even luckier if those peers stay in contact over time. If you are still looking for your people, for fellow writers with whom to share the ups and downs of the writing life, we invite you to explore Poets & Writers Groups. 

No matter where you are in your journey—whether you are just beginning to write or are publishing frequently—if you’re serious about your writing, Groups is the online community for you.

When you become a member, you’ll be prompted to create a profile that will give others a sense of who you are as a writer. After you answer a few questions about what sort of writing group you are looking for, you’ll be provided with suggestions of Groups that might be a good fit.

If one of those looks appealing, send a request to join with the click of a button. (Note that groups may have different criteria for accepting new members. Some are open to all, others may want to interview potential members or read their work before extending an invitation. The organizer of each group sets the parameters that best serve that group.) If the suggestions provided aren’t quite what you have in mind, you can browse the dozens of available groups, or you can create a group of your own design and invite others to join.

When choosing which group you’d like to be a part of, you’ll probably look for others who are working in your genre—whether poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translation, or any of a number of subgenres. You will also want to look at how often a group meets, whether it meets online or in person, and whether the group’s goals are aligned with yours. We’ve made the search for others who are facing similar challenges—summoning the courage to begin sending work out or slogging through revisions on a second book—simple and straightforward. 

Are you looking for a small critique group that requires a high level of commitment? Or a big, informal group that welcomes folks who drop in when they are able? Do you just need an appointment on your calendar so that you set aside an hour each week to write? Are you looking for friends who meet to talk shop or just one accountability partner you can trust with your manuscript? All of these and more can be found on Poets & Writers Groups.

Poets & Writers has been in the business of meeting writers’ needs for more than fifty years. We created Groups because we found that many writers long for creative community but have a hard time connecting with people who share their dedication to the craft. At Poets & Writers Groups, you’ll find:

  • Hundreds of writers, many of them published, looking for community
  • Easy ways to introduce yourself to other writers
  • Dozens of groups for poets, fiction writers, essayists, and memoirists
  • A simple, intuitive process for starting your own group
  • Tools for arranging meetings, sharing your work, and getting feedback
  • Resources for running an effective group and contributing in a way that is productive and satisfying
  • Clear community standards to ensure that the platform is inclusive and respectful
  • Real people—not anonymous online avatars
  • Access to P&W staff when you have questions or need guidance

 

Poets & Writers Groups was built with the specific needs of writers in mind, and with an understanding that a writing group is a critically important and sometimes vulnerable space. Creative people are rightly protective of their work and their process and take care to engage with people who are conducive to their personal and creative growth. Writers are drawn to our platform because Poets & Writers is synonymous with craft, respect, solidarity, and support. We’ve created a set of tools that will help you build the safe and fruitful community you need, and we’ve established community standards that reflect the respectful, inclusive environment we want to foster. Our staff is available to answer questions, provide assistance, and handle any problems if they arise.

Membership is just $7.50 a month and includes Poets & Writers Magazine (in print and digital formats) plus full access to our online resources, discounts on Poets & Writers online classes, and more. A 30-day free trial is available for those who are not yet Poets & Writers members. Basic and Premium members can upgrade here.

If you have questions about the platform, reach out to groups@pw.org and we’ll be happy to help.