Aspiring writers often have a lot of questions and may not know how to get the answers. Is my work any good? How can I promote my work? Are there any local outlets for writers? How do I get published? Joining a writing group can often help with questions like these and many more. Here are a few of the reasons and/or benefits of joining a writing group:
1. Encouragement
While it’s relatively easy to put off writing when you’re on your own, it’s less likely to happen if you’re meeting with a writing group regularly. After all, what will you share if you haven’t been working on something?
2. Guidance
There’s bound to be at least a few experienced writers in your group that can share their wisdom and provide support.
3. Inspiration
Reading and listening to a variety of work can lead to unique story ideas.
4. Feedback
A good writing group provides useful feedback designed to help you improve your craft.
5. Networking
Public performances, collaboration, and publishing opportunities are just a few of the added benefits.
If you would like to join a local writing group, we have a list for you:
Northwest Ohio Writing Groups
| Frogtown Storytelling Guild Description: Are you a storyteller? Do you want to become a storyteller? Do you want to improve your storytelling skills? Do you just like to listen to storytellers? Then come to our monthly meetings to share a story or simply to listen. Open to budding storytellers, professional storytellers, natural-born storytellers, and shy storytellers (i.e., people who’d rather listen to storytellers than tell a story).To Join: Come to our monthly meetings to share a story or simply to listen. Open to budding storytellers, professional storytellers, natural-born storytellers, and shy storytellers (i.e., people who’d rather listen to storytellers than tell a story). Meetings: |
| Madd Poets Society Description: The Madd Poets Society, Inc. was founded in December of 1999. MADD is an acronym and it best describes what this organization is all about: “Making A Direct Difference.”Contact: Fill out their contact form online. Address: 3806 Driftwood, Toledo, OH 43614 Phone: (419) 509-6776 Founder: David Bush, Email |
| Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America Description: Maumee Valley Romance Authors, Inc. is a local writing group of romance authors in the Toledo, Ohio area. They meet once a month to talk, share, and learn from one another about building a career writing romance novels. Their purpose is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy, dissemination of information, professional education, publications, and other related activities, and to provide continuing support for writers within the romance publishing industry. To Join: Any persons, eighteen or older, seriously persuing a writing career in romance or other fiction genres are welcome to join Maumee Valley Romance Authors, Inc. To join, please send an email to submit your membership application, or simply visit their next meeting for more details. Guests may attend two meetings before being required to join the group. Membership fees apply. Meetings: Where: Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – various branches When: The last Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-noon. Check their website for meeting details as the times and locations may vary. Contact: Email |
| New Works Writers Series About: New Works Writers Series (New Works), is a not for profit 501c3 organization, founded December 1989, by Imelda Hunt, to provide an arena for showcasing local area writers, poets, musicians and actors. Contact: Fill out contact form online. Address: 1548 Glenton Drive, Toledo, OH 43614 Phone: (419) 380-8464 |
| Northwest Ohio Writer’s Forum Description: Our meetings are always free and open to the public. If you’ve ever thought about making a living as a writer or if you like to write just to see what’s going to happen, please drop in to our meetings. You’ll find a creative, supportive environment. Meetings: When: September 16th, 2017 from 10am to 12 pm Where: Reynolds Corners Branch Library, 4833 Dorr St, Toledo, OH 43615Contact: Fill out their contact form online. |
| Point Place Writer’s Group Description: Join us for ideas and encouragement. It doesn’t matter if you’re an old hand, or just getting started. If you’d like, bring 10 copies of a short writing sample to share. New attendees are welcome. See you there!Meetings: When: Second Saturday of the Month, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Where: Point Place Library, 2727 117th Street, Toledo, Ohio 43611 |
| Toledo Writer’s Workshop Description: We are a group of eclectic writers who get together to share our work, brainstorm ideas, and offer input on each other’s work. Many of us are serious aspiring writers, but some simply write as a hobby. We have no requirements on what we review: fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs are a few examples. Meetings: When: Tuesdays, 7-10 pm Where: Bigby Coffee, 4031 N McCord Rd, Sylvania, OHContact: Chris or Sarah |
Writing Group Resources – Books
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Online Resources for Writers and Writing Groups
| Want to Join a Writing Group? 8 Places to Look – The Write Life
20 Facebook Groups for Writers You Don’t Want to Miss – The Write Life List of Writing Groups by State or Region – Writer’s Relief The 4 Hidden Dangers of Writing Groups – Jane Friedman Writing Groups 101 – Inked Voices |
Originally posted by Toledo Lucas County Public Library blogger April S. at ToledoLibrary.org/blog/top-5-reasons-to-join-a-writing-group.
