Poetry Sharing Café (poetry)

Description: Ease into your chair with a cup of coffee. We will write to prompts and share our work, and we will encourage our fellow writers to keep at it. For all ages and levels of ability. This is a chance to write and share our work and to talk a bit about the craft. We will also talk about publishing opportunities as they come up.

Max # of participants: 12 (4 spaces available) 

Date and time: 3rd Sunday at 1:30 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

Long Haul Accountability (various genres)

It is so helpful for writers at the start or in the middle of longer writing projects to have regular ongoing accountability. In our biweekly session we will check-in to discuss current status, objectives, challenges and possible solutions, as well as celebrate forward movement.

Max # of participants: 11 (FULL)

Date and time: every other Sunday at 10:30 am (next meeting: Sept 22)

Duration: 75 minutes

Compassionate Writing Circle (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, flash fiction, 6-word stories, memoirs)

A monthly peer-support writing coterie for writers familiar with the fundamentals of creative writing. Proactive, productive and respectful, each session includes check-ins and writers’ block discussions, as well as celebrating peer-wins. Writing prompts are used to encourage more focused writing and growth. Participants receive constructive feedback and tips on readers’ contributions. Stories will look through the lenses of the narrative arc, character arc, plot, settings, voice/tone and dialogue.

Max # of participants: 10

Date/time: 2nd and 4th Wed at 7PM

Duration: 120 minutes

Doing it for ourselves: Self-Publishing in Today's Market (all genres)

This group is for writers considering self-publishing or hybrid-publishing as a career choice, who are already self-publishing but struggling, or who have lost their publisher and aren't sure where to turn. Join an experienced Indie author and other writers to ask questions, seek guidance, and discuss options to discover your best path to meeting your author goals.

Max # of participants: 8

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: Up to 90 minutes

Memoir, Poetry, Etc. (all genres)

Equality in sharing is a concrete goal of this group. Come prepared to share with a single page of poetry or prose. Feedback and dialogue will be shared with goodwill and openness. This group is not about being perfect or right about anything.

Max # of participants: 12

Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: 60

Mindful Writing: A Circle for CNF Writers (creative nonfiction & memoir)

Long-form writing projects take discipline, rigour, research, and stamina, driven by a brilliant mind that can shape what is often heavy material into a meaningful and enriching narrative. But we also have to tend to other parts of ourselves, beyond the hard working mind. This is a circle for creative non-fiction writers and memoirists who are well underway with a book-length project who are seeking a space in which to explore and learn from their inner world and subtle somatic experiencing. We will meet in a small group to practice presence and self-compassion through short meditations, heart-centred accountability, and “mindful reading,” interspersed with 20-minute body-centred writing sessions to reinvigorate our creative practice and the larger projects we are pursuing.

Max # of participants: 6

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

Not Our First Rodeo: Genre Fiction Novelists (fiction)

Drafting a new manuscript can be lonely and frustrating—so why do it alone? This group for experienced writers with at least one polished book under their belts is part support group and part creative brain trust as we write and rewrite our latest fiction projects together. There will be opportunities for feedback on pages, discussing outlines, and brainstorming plot and character solutions.

Max # of participants: 6

Date/time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90-120 minutes

The Crown Straighteners’ Women’s Writing Circle (all genres)

A supportive and empowering group space that is divided into three sections: inspiration, generative and appreciation/ critique. A group to raise women’s voices and stories.

Max # of participants: 7

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 120 minutes

Web-Based Content Creators Creation (all genres)

The challenges are real and the demands seem impossible, some days. On other days it’s invigorating and fulfilling. Welcome to the Writers’ Circle for web-based content creators where engaging audiences, keeping up with the release schedules and dealing with out of the blue comments from strangers can leave you questioning your choices. Not to mention the reality of AI as a replacement for our work. 

In this Circle, we affirm the choice to express our voice with meaning and authenticity. We will share our challenges and our victories. We will hear about accessibility and how to create a more inclusive environment. Share what we know about AI and how to embrace it as a helpful tool, as opposed to a replacement to our work. Finally, we can debrief on those comments that can cut deep or salve wounds. Expect to meet others, create community, share some laughs and maybe learn a thing or two.  

Max # of participants: 12 

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 60 minutes

All Things Haiku (poetry)

Description: Come have fun with haiku and other Japanese short forms! Open to newbies through to pros; we can all always learn more from each other. A chance to practice, share, and play some haiku games in a safe, non-judgemental setting.

Max # of participants: open

Date and time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

EFF Cubed Fiction Workshop (fiction)

Readers and writers of this fiction group enjoy learning and improving their craft by sharing constructive commentary. Members are willing to read and review submissions prior to the meeting and provide focused commentary. Discussion will be based on submissions.

Max # of participants: 6 (2 spaces available)

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm 

Duration: 120 minutes

*EFF Cubed = Forming Fabulous Fiction

Peer Support Poetry (poetry)

Description: A monthly group to foster and encourage poets of all levels of experience. We’ll start with a check in to see how we’ve met our goals for the previous month, and we’ll end each session with setting new goals for the upcoming month. We’ll also keep each other motivated and inspired, discuss craft and the submission process, share resources about craft and places to submit, celebrate our successes, and support each other as we build community. (not a critique group)

Max # of participants: 10 (2 spots available)

Date and time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

Queer Tales: Queer and Trans Writers of Fiction Connect (fiction)

Description: A group for writers who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ and want to share a space with other queer and trans writers. This peer support group will provide opportunities to connect and discuss current projects, set goals and hold each other accountable, and share samples of work for critique.

Max # of participants: 12 (4 spaces available)

Date and time: 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

Memoir Circle

A memoir writing group focused on discussion, support, critique and self-care. Submit a monthly writing sample of 2000 words for feedback.

Max # participants: 6 (FULL)

Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm 

Length: 90 minutes

Inclusivity Rules: LGBTQ2SIA+ Genre Fiction Authors Support (fiction)

A group for new or established queer community authors who write fiction stories and novels and wish to connect with peer authors. Let's discover ways to support each other in our processes, mental and emotional positivity, and spreading the word about our fabulous books.

Max # of participants: 8

Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: Up to 90 minutes

The Memoir Writer’s Circle (memoir)

This is a group for memoir writers who could use a monthly, healthy dose of accountability, motivation, and support while they write. As a circle, we’ll focus mostly on the non-technical aspects of the memoir writing process, with the goal of helping each member push past mental blocks, emotional hurdles, and self-doubt. Come with your most pressing questions and leave with thoughtful insights that’ll make your memoir writing experience a little less lonely.

Max # participants: 8

Date/Time: 4th Thursday of the month at 11:00 am

Length: 60 minutes

The BIPOC Experience: Tell it like it is (all genres)

This group is for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color writers. The purpose of this group is that, through writing, critiquing, and discussion we share our work and experiences as a BIPOC writer and person, in today's society. The expectation is that all participants are actively working on long or short pieces that they are willing to present and receive feedback on.

Max # of participants: 5

Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: 120 minutes

Writers with Young Children (all genres)

A group for writers who are currently caring for young children (approx 0-4 years). It can be hard to commit to a writing circle when you don't know if nap time will move, get skipped altogether, or is still going and said napper has pinned you to the couch. This group is intended to meet the needs of its members with flexibility—Come late or leave early if you need to. Come even if you need to be on mute because your toddler is scream-singing in the background or hanging off your neck. No matter what kind of writer you are (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwright), whether you are currently writing or looking to get back to the page, if you are navigating writing and caregiving then you are welcome. This group is a place to set goals, get motivated, and share work (in a non-critique setting). If there is interest, this group may also include writing to prompts.

Max # of participants: 8

Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: 60 minutes

CNF - Queer Memoir Writing (creative nonfiction/memoir)

Description: This is a peer group for queer writers who centre their writing on personal experiences. Its current six members have been meeting and sharing works (sometimes poetic, sometimes formatted as story), since spring 2024. We offer a respectful space wherein our members offer feedback to support the development of each other’s work. We meet once monthly for 120 minutes with opportunities for folks to share pieces that are approx. 1500 - 2500 words. Most members are working on longer pieces. The group is open to considering revisions for additional feedback.  

Max # of participants: 8 (2 spaces available) 

Date and time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: 120 minutes

Fiction Circle

For fiction writers who hone their craft through the art of giving and receiving critiques. Members upload their works to a shared drive where critiques and comments are added to the document prior to the meetings. The twice monthly meetings then serve as an opportunity to highlight key points and to engage in thoughtful discussions.

Max # participants: 6 (1 space available)

Date/time: 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 pm 

Length: 120 minutes 

Get the Story Straight (fiction)

Description: A discussion of what makes stories work. Troubleshooting participant’s plot problems and sharing story structures and plots that members have found inspirational.

Max # of participants: 15 (4 spaces available)

Date and time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am

Duration: Up to 90 minutes

Travel Memoir Writing (memoir and creative nonfiction)

A monthly meeting focused on the craft and business of travel writing, with opportunities to check in and share how your writing projects are going, solicit advice/recommendations, workshop a short piece, and discuss topics related to travel writing.

Max # of participants: 12 (2 spaces available)

Date/time: 4th Thursday at 2:00 pm 

Duration: 90 minutes

Writing and Pitching Travel Stories Chat Group (creative nonfiction)

Description: Are you interested in writing and publishing short travel stories? Let's learn and support each other by sharing tips and resources in this informal group discussion. New and published travel writers welcome.

Max # of participants: 6 with 2 co-hosts (1 spot available)

Date and time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am 

Duration: 60 minutes

Mid-Career Writers (various genres) 

“If you're already a professional writer or published author and you want to grow your career, this group is for you. The Mid-Career Writers' Group will be a place for established writers to connect with peers and share knowledge to take their careers to the next level.”

Max # of participants: 12 (FULL)

Date/time: 4th Thursday of the month at 11:30 pm 

Duration: 60 minutes

Welcome to the Writing Circle Registration. This is not a real circle.

Novel Writing (fiction)

The group is for peer feedback novels participants are working on. 

Max # participants: 8 (FULL)

Date/time: 1st Sunday of the month at 10:30 am

Length: 90 minutes

Ask an Editor (all genres except screenplay)

This group is ideal for anyone who has run into obstacles in their work, whether in the middle of a work in progress or at the planning stages. Ask me anything: I'm both an author and an editor, so if you're having a craft problem I've probably seen it (or had it myself). The group can also brainstorm ideas for anyone who might want that.

Max # of participants: 8

Date/time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90 minutes

Putting the Fun in Executive DysFUNction (fiction)

Many spicy brain issues can dramatically affect neurodiverse creators, such as rejection sensitivity, executive dysfunction, procrastination, and impostor syndrome. Half of each session will involve motivational, creative, discussion-based interaction. We will devote the other half to body doubling while actually putting words on the page. Although we may discuss or even share our work, this isn't a critique group.

Max # of participants: 10

Date/time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Duration: 90-120 minutes

Accountability Club (various genres)

For writers who want a little extra support to stay on track. This group checks in at our meeting on our progress on our goals at the start of the meeting and then sets new ones for us to report on for the next. We are often each other's cheerleaders and share tips and tricks to help each other.

Max # of participants: 10 (3 spaces available)

Date/time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm 

Duration: 60 minutes