Writing and publishing is a tough, competitive undertaking. And it never hurts to have the guidance, critiques, and overall moral support of other writers. While the act of writing a book is often a solo endeavour, improving your writing, editing, querying, and publishing a book are not. Hence, joining a writing group can be a great move for any writer.
Joining a writing group is a great step to take at any point of your writing journey—whether you’re just starting out, already published, or somewhere in between. Are you interested in joining a writing group but aren’t sure what it is or what to expect? We break it all down for you below!
What is a writing group?
A writing group is a group of writers who are passionate about the craft and want to discuss and develop it with others. Generally, joining a writing group means you will meet with other writers to discuss and critique each other’s work. Writing groups are also a place to get writing advice, tips, and moral support.
Keep in mind that each writing group is different. Some may meet in person and on established meeting days (for example, the first Wednesday of every month). Others will interact solely online. While the majority of writing groups are free to join, some may ask for a small fee. Depending on the type of writing group you’re joining, the flexibility and expectations will differ.
What you’ll be asked to contribute can vary, also. Some writing groups will only ask you to bring your latest chapter/scene/short story. Others, however, may try to mix things up and keep things interesting by asking members to complete short assignments. While these assignments (for example, a short story) might not be directly linked to your WIP, they will challenge you to write things you aren’t used to, thereby improving your skill over time.
Benefits of joining a writing group
1. Outside feedback
Objective feedback is a necessary part of writing a great book. One of the big pros of joining a writing group is that it provides a safe space for you to test your work before you reach the querying and publishing stages.
A decent-sized writing group will also offer a pool of different types of readers. Having multiple critiques can be invaluable for self-editing your book. They can even help you find ways to make your novel more marketable too!
However, while joining a writing group is great, it’s important to remember that it’s just one aspect of your writing life. Beta readers and critique partners are helpful, but they can’t take the place of a good professional book editor. Depending on the type of publishing you hope to pursue, you may want to consider hiring a book editor at some later point after your writing group has had the chance to read and critique your book.
2. Accountability
Writers can be master procrastinators. We get it! Sometimes, it’s hard to sit down and just do the work. But by joining a writing group, you’ll be accountable to someone else besides yourself. You’ll be surprised at how motivational that can be.
You can set group writing goals to work towards together (e.g., get up every morning to write together for an hour, or write monthly short stories to critique). You can also share your own personal writing goals and ask other members to help keep you on track. Some writing groups even schedule virtual writing retreats throughout the year. This gives members the opportunity to meet, share their goals, and spend an extended amount of time writing together. Great for keeping you accountable AND helping you get words down on the page!
3. Affordable way to improve
Because joining a writing group is usually free, they are an affordable way for writers to improve their skills. Keep in mind that even if a writing group is free to join, you need to ‘pay’ it back in other ways. This means reading and critiquing the work of other members, as well as listening to their questions and concerns and offering advice and support.
While most are free, some writing groups do operate on a payment basis (although usually quite low). You might have to pay a nominal fee to book your spot for a monthly meet-up or specific event. For example, a writing group might book a published author, literary agent, or editor to lead a workshop. In return, organisers will ask that each participant pay a small fee so the guest can be compensated for their time.
4. Share knowledge
Writing groups are goldmines of shared knowledge. And, because writing groups are made up of people of various levels and at different stages of their writing journey, everyone has something unique to offer. One writer might excel at writing a great hook, while another may have experience in self-publishing and can offer real-life know-how. Likewise, having better writers around will make you a better writer. And helping writers who are newer to the craft will force you to focus on the basics from time to time.
So, what can you bring to the table when joining a writing group? You may not know it yet, but you have unique skills and experiences to share. A writing group is a great place to learn about your strengths and what you have to offer other writers. It’s a free exchange of all types of knowledge about the craft.
5. Boost your love of writing
Writing and publishing is a tough business. A traditionally published author can expect to make an average of around 10k annually in 2023. And that’s only after you’ve crossed the incredibly difficult hurdles of signing with an agent and landing a publishing deal! (Which is to say…don’t quit your day job.)
With the rise of AI, writers are feeling the pinch more than ever. It’s very easy to become demotivated or want to give up on writing altogether. This is where a writing group can be invaluable. A good writing group will have each other’s backs. They’ll offer encouragement, words of advice, and the motivation to help keep each other going.
How do I join a writing group?
Join in-person writing groups
If you’re the type of writer who enjoys meeting face-to-face, then you should try joining a writing group in your area. Meetup is a great resource for discovering local groups and activities. You can also check with your local community centre or library to see if they host any writing groups or writing-related events.
Join online writing groups
Social media is an excellent resource for connecting with others in the writing and publishing industry. Search hashtags like #WritingCommunity, #WriterTok, and #amwriting to find other writers. Many virtual writing groups form organically from these sorts of online Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok friendships.
Other resources
Discord, r/WritersGroup (on Reddit), and sites like NaNoWriMo are a few other online spaces where you can find a writing community and ask about joining a writing group.
Or…form your own!
Maybe you’d like to take the initiative and form a writing group of your own. Here are a few tips to help get you started.
Limit the size
Too small and you won’t benefit from a range of critiques and interactions; too big and people get lost in the shuffle or feel overwhelmed. Four to five writers is usually the sweet spot for a writing group.
Decide how you want to meet
Do you want to set up weekly in-person meetings? Or catch up in a monthly zoom call? Alternatively, you can limit your interactions to a group chat where members pop in and out.
Have an agenda
Whether you want to challenge yourself and your fellow members to write different things each week, you want to read a novel and critique it, or you just want to support each other as you work on your WIPs, have an agenda. This will keep things organised during the meeting and allow everyone to share and say their piece.
But be flexible
You may have a plan for exactly how often you’d like the group to meet and what you want the agenda to be. But…once people start interacting, the group dynamic may not be exactly what you’re picturing. Be flexible and ready to make changes once you get to know each other better.
Commit to your writing group
You only get as much out of it as you put in, so show up and be open and honest. Share the struggles, concerns, highs and lows and be open to hearing critiques of your work. Make sure that the other writers share a similar commitment to the group. This way your interactions feel as productive as possible.
What if I don’t like my writing group?
Take your time finding the right fit. Maybe you won’t vibe with the first group you come across. Or maybe you’ll outgrow your writing group and need to move on. This is natural, so don’t feel you need to stick with a writing group if it isn’t working for you. There are thousands of options out there, and new ones popping up all the time.
And if the introvert in you is cringing at the idea of handing your work over to a group of writers, our author coaching might be a more intimate (and less intimidating) approach. An author coach can provide writing assessments, help you develop your writing skills, and even provide moral boosts to keep you going. And it’s all on your terms and tailored to work for you. Basically, look at it as your one-on-one, personalised writing group!
