by email each month sign up here!
The following Writing Groups are Open to New Members.
Tell them Nita sent you! And if you know of a writing group that’s not on this list, please email me so I can add it.
- “START YOUR WEEK OFF WRITE” Writer’s Workshop for Women
- North Columbus Fantasy Sci/Fi
- SEQUENTIALLY SPEAKING Art Critique/Workshop
VISUAL NARRATIVE WORKSHOP - WRITERS’ INK
- WRITESHOP
- FOOLE’S GOLD PROSE & POETRY WORKSHOP
- WILD GOOSE WRITER’S GROUP
- PSALM 45.1
- SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE
- CREATIVE WRITING SOCIAL GROUP
- THE WESTERVILLE POETRY GROUP
- CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITERS GROUP
- WRITING AND MEDITATION PRACTICE GROUP in Yellow Springs
- WRITERS READ, a 60+ group
- POETRY NIGHT at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe
- SINGER SONGWRITER CLINIC
- The Ohio Writers’ Guild
- CAPA/City WRITER’S STUDIO
- PEN & QUILL WRITER’S GROUP
- ALL GENRES WRITERS GROUP
- ALEX WRITES
- WRITERS’ BLOC
- 55+ WRITERS CIRCLE
- INKWELL FORUM
- FRANKLINTON WRITERS WORKSHOP
- SONGWRITERS & POETS CRITIQUE
- POET’S & WRITERS GUILD
- SALON Sponsored by Pudding House Publications led by ROSE M. SMITH
- CONSTRUCTION ZONE - Poetry Workshop
- CENTRAL OHIO FICTION WRITERS
- COMPANY of WRITERS - WRITING GROUP
- INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WRITING GUILD
- COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
- CREATIVE MINDS COLLECTIVE
- LYRICS and VERSE POETRY DISCUSSION GROUP
- SISTERS IN CRIME COLUMBUS, OHIO
- DRAMA FOUNDRY
- PICKERINGTON WRITERS/CRITIQUE GROUP
- The Mustard Seed Retreat
- African American Literary Writing Group Phase II
Sundays 3:00 to 4:00PM
On Second Thought: Resale Shopping, Arts & Enrichment
679 C High Street (Worthington)
Guided writing exercises for women writers 18 and up - out of high school. For additional information about the workshop, surf to the On Second Thought blog.
Registration required. Call 505-6512 and ask for “Pen.”
1st and 3rd Sundays
Worthington Area
A new writer’s group that focuses on genre fiction. All levels of talent are accepted. Easy to join. Contact moderator at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCFSWriters/
Third Sundays from 2 PM to 4 PM
Upper Arlington Library (Main Branch)
2800 Tremont Road
Free event
Space is limited, please email or call ahead to confirm vacancy.
There is no question about it - Columbus and the surrounding Central Ohio area is a melting pot of comic book creators. Here’s your chance to meet, talk with and share your talents with experience and novice writers and artists alike in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Bring copies of your latest comic strips or graphic novel in progress to get valuable feedback! Open to all genres and abilities.
Contact: Max Ink at 614-275-4764 or
max.ink@gmail.com
or visit: Sequentially Speaking at Yahoo Groups
Third Sundays at 5 PM
404 Thurber Drive West # 6, Columbus
near Short North and the Arena District.
Writers’ Ink has a monthly newsletter and periodically has speakers. They welcome new members.
For more information, contact Nora Holt at 614-493-3298
or inkcreativity@hotmail.com
or see their website at: writersinkcreativity.com
Third Sundays - 7PM
Meets in Columbus
Writeshop is a writers’ workshop group which meets to discuss and critique members’ work. While we are involved in all types of writing, our members’ specialties are fiction, particularly science fiction and horror.
See http://www.sff.net/people/lucy-snyder/writeshop/ for membership and location details.
See also http://groups.yahoo.com/writeshop/
Mondays from 8PM to 11 PM
Kafe Kerouac
2250 N. High Street
This is an ongoing group of limited membership. Call Kafe Kerouac at 299-2672 to confirm date and time.
First Mondays - 7PM
Wild Goose Creative
2491 Summit Street (north campus/south Clintonville)
The writer’s group is a place for writers from beginner to experienced to share their works and receive feedback from others. Bring your most recent work, either complete or in-progress, and talk about where it has been, is, and where it could be.
For more information see the Wild Goose Creative website.
Third Mondays - 7:30-9:30PM
Vineyard Columbus
“A place for writers to fellowship together, develop their gifting, and consider how writing may be used to glorify God through serving the church and engaging the community.”
Typical group format is to write for the first 15 minutes (one member provides a prompt) and then either share for the next 45 minutes and then have a teaching/discussion OR spend the entire evening sharing what we’ve written and providing feedback and encouragement. Group includes a wide variety of abilities and genres represented, and the pieces written are not exclusively Christian in nature, although it is a faith based group and members do talk from time to time about what it means to be “a Christian who happens to write.”
For more information, contact Lorie Rees at lorie.rees@vineyardcolumbus.org.
Third Mondays
Wild Goose Creative
2491 Summit Street (north campus/south Clintonville)
The Songwriter’s group seeks to link songwriters who want to share their work with others for the purpose of feedback and encouragement. We encourage everyone to share their most recent song at each meeting. This serves to both give songwriters an audience to try out new material and to encourage each other to compose on at least a monthly basis. Let’s face it: a lot of creative types can get discouraged and lazy. The songwriter’s group will challenge you to write a new song every month. Bring a song and be prepared to talk about it along with your practices and philosophies of songwriting.
For more information visit the Wild Goose Creative website.
Last Mondays - 6:30PM
Upper Arlington Library
2800 Tremont Road
Free
This writing support group is an informal discussion group about all things related to writing. Sharing your work is optional in this safe environment where we do not critique but offer encouragement. We also suggest monthly writing tasks and readings to help overcome writing blocks. Please email Jennifer Sobczynski at sobczynj@gmail.comfor more information or to confirm, as space is limited.
Third Tuesdays at 7 PM
Westerville Library
126 S. State Street (Westerville)
Do you like to discuss poetry? Do you want to know how to market your work to magazines and book publishers? Would you like to help edit a literary magazine? If all of these things sound interesting and fun to you, then come join us!
Groups meetings are open to the public and there is no membership fee.
For more information see http://www.wpl.lib.oh.us
or Call the Westerville library at 614-882-7277 ext. 159.
Second Tuesdays from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Panera (Community Room)
4519 N. High Street - Clintonville
This unique writers group specializes in creative nonfiction, but is open to all who are interested in improving their craft. Each month two people read 5 - 6 pages of their work aloud to the group. If you are reading, bring 5 - 8 copies for members to read.
Contact Donna Owens at dowens@insight.rr.com for more information.
Wednesday mornings from 7AM to 9 AM
Rockford Chapel on President St., south of E. Whiteman, Yellow Springs, Ohio
No fee.
Drop-ins welcome.
This blend of meditation and writing (and this group) was developed by Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones, Wild Mind) as a method of unleashing the creative muse. Periods of meditation are mixed with intervals of writing and reading. No previous experience at either meditation or writing is necessary.
Contact Barbara at lotuspetal@pobox.com or 937-322-2341
Second Wednesdays from 1 PM to 2:30 PM
Panera Bread - Community Room
4915 N. High Street - Clintonville
No fee.
RSVP by the Monday before.
Writers are voracious readers. Participants read aloud a passage from a favored writer’s work that has influenced their writing. A “How and Why” discussion follows.
Perhaps we will eventually compile a list of these books or a book exchange for participants. Please join with us for a wise, sometimes wiseacre, meeting with other writers 60+ (or not). The meeting is FREE.
For further information and to RSVP, contact pbrown5623@aol.com.
Second Wednesdays from 7 to 8PM
Espresso Yourself Music Cafe
50 W. Olentangy Street - Powell
Are you a poet? Do you enjoy poetry? A group of local central Ohio poets meeting monthly.
Email Eric at espressoyourselfmusiccafe@msn.com
Third Wednesdays from 7 to 8PM
Espresso Yourself Music Cafe
50 W. Olentangy Street - Powell
A discussion group of local central Ohio singer songwriters.
Email Eric at espressoyourselfmusiccafe@msn.com
Wednesdays 1-3 PM
Cultural Arts Center
139 West Main Street
Novice and seasoned writers can bring work to read, discuss, or critique in a relaxed setting. These meetings are free and open to the public.
Contact for CAC (614) 645-7047 or jljohnson@columbus.gov
Wednesdays from 4:30 PM to 6 PM
1002 E. Livingston Ave.
Call 614-372-1822 for details.
Third Wednesdays - 7PM
Heritage Hall
Main Street - Crooksville
Pen & Quill currently has members from Newark, New Lexington, Buckeye Lake, Roseville and Crooksville. It is open to any writer seeking inspiration, editing assistance, or the company of other writers.
For more information, contact director Kathy Campbell at katonhottin2001@yahoo.com
Thursdays at 9AM
Panera Bread & Bakery
Taylor Square Shopping Center
2374 Taylor Road - Reynoldsberg
No fee.
Writers of all genres and all levels of experience are welcome to join. The environment is positive, supportive, and helpful. Reading is optional, but encouraged and offered in the spirit of support and improvement.
For more information contact jerry@purposefulgrowth.com
or brenda@healmyspirit.com
First Thursdays - 7PM
Alexandria Public Library
10 Maple Drive - Alexandria
Open to all aspiring or published authors. Write, critique, learn, support, encourage.
Contact Betsy Young 740-924-0305 byoung@columbus.rr.com for information.
Third Thursdays - Gathering at 6:30Pm; Program at 7PM
Thurber Center (next door to Thurber House)
91 Jefferson Avenue
Writer’s Bloc is a congenial group of writers, editors, poets and other wordsmiths - published and unpublished - who gather six times a year for professional development, to share resources, to socialize, and network. All are welcome.
Annual dues are $15 and include admission to all programs. Admission to individual events for guests and non-members is $5 with the exception of the November Holiday Potluck and Open Mic which are free.
For more information, call Wayne Rapp at 614-861-3394
Fourth Thursdays from 2 PM to 4 PM
MCL Cafeteria on East Main
Whitehall
No Fee
RSVP please
Open to women and men writers, 55+ who wish to enjoy a lively, supportive, interesting, and informational exchange on writing and the writer’s life. Group encourages writers to bring any writing for listening and gentle critique (optional).
Lunch before the group is also optional.
For further information and to RSVP, please contact
Visit our website at: http://www.freewebs.com/55writerscircle/
every other Thursday
North Columbus
No fee.
This group discusses and critiques members’ works of short fiction or nonfiction prose. Meets in a member’s home in the Bethel Road area. For more information, contact Rich at rwarren212@aol.com.
formerly the Writers Workshop of McDowell Senior Center
every other friday - 10AM to Noon
Franklinton Library
1061 W. Town
Writers group mentored by David Bell. Some members are published writers, some are trying to get published, some write just for fun. All are trying to improve their writing skills. Usually, we have a writing assignment for each meeting. Sometimes we have in-class assignments.
For more information check their website:
http://franklintonwriters.blogspot.com or email beauvallet@aol.com
Second and Fourth Fridays at 7:30 PM
Jackson Township Building
3756 Hoover Road (Grove City)
Call 614-777-0326 for more information or check the website at http://www.timothysklugh.com/spc/events.asp
Fourth Fridays from 7:30PM
Aeropagitica Books
3510 N. High St. (Clintonville)
Call Dottie Turner at 614-263-9346 or Elizabeth Ann James at 614-267-3085 for more information
First Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
MCL Cafeteria, East Main Street, Columbus/Whitehall area
Cost: $65/year
Currently considering new enrollments. To apply, send 6 poems, letter of interest, $10 application fee that applies to registration if accepted. Or email Rose Smith at conversant2@aol.com to arrange 10 minute preliminary free phone interview.
Salon, sponsored by Pudding Magazine, led by Rose M. Smith, associate editor at Pudding House is a writing, reading, and critiquing group especially for intermediate through advanced poets and writers with a mix of writing experience and interests.
Second Saturdays at 6:30 PM
310 E. Innis Ave.
Call 614-372-0453 for more information.
Monthly meetings held monthly on the “teen” Saturday
- see website for schedule
University Hotel
3110 Olentangy River Road
See http://www.cofw.org for additional information
or call 614-539-9131 for details.
First and Third Saturdays from 10AM to Noon
Fiction and Nonfiction. Emphasis on revision and critique. Call 614-262-0069 for more information.
first Saturdays - 10AM to 12:30PM
Alison Hazelbaker’s health practitioners building
5115 Olentangy River Road
kitchen available
third Saturdays - 10AM to 1PM
Columbus Public Library
96 S. Grant Ave. - 3rd Floor Board Room
(microwave available - bring food if you wish)
fourth Saturdays - Noon to 1:30PM
JungHaus
59 W. Third Ave.
Open to writers of all ability levels. The Central Ohio community of the IWWG invites writers to gather at our monthly meetings for writing, reading and gentle critiquing in a safe, supportive environment. Each meeting includes “The Circle,” which gives participants an opportunity to share information about their writing and other work. Monthly meetings are open to all. You may bring work you’d like to have critiqued. Please bring copies of the work you wish to have critiqued.
PLEASE NOTE: IWWG meeting dates and times may vary. Please call or email to confirm.
For more information contact Jeanne Marlowe at 614-476-8802 or jamarlowe@juno.com, or visit the Guild’s website at http://www.iwwg.org.
Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
New Albany Library
200 Market Street
Saturdays beginning at 10:00 AM
Location disclosed upon joining group
Check their homepage at http://www.creativemindscollective.com
Creative Minds Collective is a group of fiction writers dedicated to honing our talents and improving our skills through networking and interaction with others. We are based in Central Ohio, but have one long-distance member in Kansas City, Missouri as well. Our members work in a variety of genres, and at experience levels ranging from beginner to published authors.
CMC is a private group, but often open to new membership. Check the home page to see if we are accepting new members at this time, or feel free to email us at query@creativemindscollective.com and ask whatever’s on your mind. We also plan to grow our website to include many resources for writers.
Saturdays from 1 - 2PM
Location - near OSU campus - still under discussion
Lyrics and Verse is a very inclusive group for people of all ages, lifestyles and genres. The only prerequisite is that you have an insatiable need to write, revise, edit and discuss poetry. Or at least give up an hour of your Saturday afternoon. You don’t really have to edit or revise, either, you just have to sit and listen politely while people tell you how they think your words could be better.
Topics will include specific poets, forms, devices, writing prompts, and any aspects of developing, revising, editing, or teaching poetry and may include field trips. If you are interested in a specific topic, feel free to volunteer to lead or ask someone else to lead that discussion. Every other week will be a looser format where a session leader might or might not be there. Typical meetings will approximate the following format: Intro/Catch up, Topic Introduction, Free Write, Discussion/Peer Review. Please bring notebooks or something to write on and with!
Please contact Sara at cline.228@osu.edu or call 502-551-0579 for the current schedule, the location and more information.
(men welcome too)
last Saturday of the month - specified months only - 12PM to 4PM
SICCO, a local chapter of Sisters in Crime, meets in February, April, June, August, October and December. As a member of SICCO you would be joining a group of over 3,500 authors, readers, fans, librarians, booksellers, editors, and agents actively seeking to promote and strengthen the presence and voice of women mystery writers. And yes, we encourage active membership and particpation by men and women alike.
Check out the SICCO website at http://www.siccowriters.org or email siccowriters@gmail.com
Membership in the national organization ($40) is required for membership in the local chapter ($20).
Monthly - Saturday 1:45 - 4:45PM
Upper Arlington Public Library Conference Room B.
Writing group for actors and script writers. For more information email thedramafoundry@yahoo.com. Visit thedramafoundry.blogspot.com for specifics on meeting dates.
evenings - no day or place specified
Pickerington Writers/Critique Group is a small group of fiction writers who would welcome new members. Meetings are generally held once a week in the evening at a convenient Pickerington location. If you are interested in joining, contact bberan@insight.rr.com or romona.inskeep@gmail.com.
various Wednesdays and Saturdays - check the website.
See website for fees.
This is not a writing group, but a place for writers to either share space or be alone for a day of writing. WiFi, computer, coffee, tea, water, fruit, candy, and camaraderie included in the fee. Check out the options at http://www.themustardseedretreat.com
contact group facilitator (see below) for time and place
Okay so here it is. This is how it started, we are calling this Phase II because phase I, at least in its current fashion is phasing out. Initially this group targeted and was restricted to African American females only. Ages 30-43. The goal was to attract those interested in reading and writing, only one person was writing. The rest, maybe read the assigned books. As much as we would like to still target African Americans, sorry, can’t do it. Already tried it. A group dies without participation. This time no one is restricted (minus age requirement– must be an adult). We will still target African American’s but won’t exclude anyone. No Restriction on Gender or Age if 18 and Up. All Adults Are Welcomed.
For this group, we are only interested in attracting people who know they are Ready To Write. We already have the meeting spots reserved. We just need to agree to make a commitment to meet bi-weekly or monthly to write for 2-3 hours! This way no one has any excuses for not writing and getting that great novel done! We will bring our laptops or pin and paper to our already reserve venue, greet each other drink coffee, tea, latte’s and write.
The goal is for each participant to finish one manuscript within the first year of the first meet. We will only read books to get ideas. NO MORE BOOK CLUBS. The goal here is to become a writer, so only those interested in becoming so need participate. Its ok to be scared or have a blank idea, we can get around that just so long as you know you want to write. We can refer you to several book clubs if that’s what you’re interested in. But this will be a literal/writers group. As you can tell we are very sincere about attracting would be WRITERS this time. Looking forward to seeing the level of interest.
Email for details at eblg@yahoo.com or VSnipes921@readytowriteaa.ning.com. Surf to http://www.blackplanet.com/SFV111 or http://readytowriteaa.ning.com
