Texas Writing Groups Writing
Groups are a way for writers to learn from and support each other. Although the
groups are not an official activity of the Writers' League, the League is pleased
to share meeting information as available to encourage this important mentoring
system. Formats of these groups vary as to the personalities of each group. Call
or write for more information before attending a meeting. You do not need
to be a member of WLT to join one of these groups, but we encourage you to join
the League so you can take advantage of the many other benefits offered to members.
Capital City Area
| Austin Creative
Fiction Writers | Austin
Creative Fiction Writers: A critique group that meets 7 to 9 PM. every other Wednesday
at Borders Bookstore at The Domain (near the cafe area). Short Story and Novel
Work, critiqued in a group setting. For further information visit Austin
Creative Fiction Writers or e-mail Brenton
Buxton. | |
Austin International Poetry Festival |
From academic poets in Anchorage to folk poets in Zambia, AIPF
draws poets from every continent for its April festivities, and is the largest
non-juried poetry festival in the world. Live poetry for three days, make friends
with a poet in Sri Lanka and submit your poetry to the AIPF anthology, di-verse-city,
for a chance to win the Christina Sergeyevna Award. For more information, visit
Austin International Poetry Festival . |
| Austin Poetry Society |
The Austin chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas
and an affiliate of the Academy of American Poets. APS members engage in outreach
to the community, meet informally to hone their poetic skills. An eclectic array
of speakers address the society at mothly meetings, and the society offers monthly
and annual competitions as incentives. Membership is open to all, and visitors
are welcome to sit in on meetings. For more information, visit Austin
Poetry Society. | |
Austin SCBWI |
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Austin chapter
offers a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital
interest in children's literature. The local chapter began in 1995 and meets at
BookPeople at 6th and Lamar. Subscription to the Austin newsletter is $20. National
dues are $85 for new members. Visitors always welcome. Contact Debbie
Gonzales or visit Austin SCBWI.
| | Austin
Screenwriters | 1st
and 3rd Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., Bookpeople, 3rd Floor. Visit Austin
Screenwriters for schedule and info. |
| Austin Songwriters Group |
Meet with fellow Austin Songwriters, first Wednesdays of the month,
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. dinner; then monthly meeting program, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Threadgill's
World Headquarters, 301 West Riverside Drive, Austin. For more information, visit
Austin Songwriters. |
| Austin Writergirls
| Meets twice monthly for
lunch. Women writers with varied publishing experience. For location, dates, and
times, contact Kim Lane at kimbolou@aol.com
| | Austin
Writer's Block | A
supportive group of writers open to anyone struggling to get that stubborn writing
project going, as well as to those who want a fresh critique on their completed
work. No membership fee. AWB
meets every Tuesday at 4:30 at La Madeleine French Bakery located at 3418 N. Lamar
in Austin. | | Austin
Unbound Screenwriters | Screenwriters
helping screenwriters since 2001. Austin Unbound meets the second and fourth Tuesday
nights of each month, from 7 - 10 PM. Membership is open to screenwriters of all
levels who are committed to becoming the best writers they can be. Over half of
the members are competition finalists and/or produced screenwriters and film professionals.
For more information and the location of the next meeting, visit Austin
Unbound Screenwriters. | |
Austin Fictionists |
Austin Fictionists is a diverse group that critiques short stories,
novellas, and novels. They participate in workshops during their meetings every
other Wednesday at La Madeleine French Bakery, 3418 N. Lamar, Austin, from 7-9
PM. Seats are limited to maintain quality. For more information, visit Austin
Fictionalists. | |
Fifteen Minutes of Fame |
2nd and 4th Saturdays, 10 AM - Noon, BookPeople. The group, formerly
known as Writing from the Heart, is loosely based on Natalie Goldberg's book Writing
Down the Bones. Using a variety of prompts, we do timed writings and then
share what we've written on a voluntary basis. This is not a critique group and
although participants are writers with a wide range of experience, for our sessions,
all the writing is done during our meetings. The group is open to anyone free
of charge. For more information, visit http://minutesoffame.wordpress.com
or contact MindyRed@aol.com or wallerk@rocketmail.com.
| | Freelance
Austin | 2nd
Wednesday, 12:30 - 1:45 PM, Austin Public Library - Spicewood Springs Branch,
8637 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Check Freelance
Austin for details. Freelance Austin holds regular monthly meetings to help
freelance writers, designers, PR specialists and other communications professionals
meet, mingle with and learn from some of Austin's best in the business. |
| Highland
Lakes Writers | 2nd
Thursday, 6:30 PM, Marble Falls Library - For more information, visit Highland
Lake Writers. | | Hill
Country Writer's League | Through
December 2007, The Hill Country Writer's League will meet the first Thursday of
each month at ACC Cypress Creek in Cedar Park from 7PM-8:30 PM. For more info,
please contact Tammy Maté at TammyMate@aol.com. |
| Novel
in Progress | For
over 20 years, the Novel in Progress study group has nurtured Austin-area writers,
including several who have become published novelists. We critique 25 pages of
a member's manuscript at each meeting and welcome visitors to sit in to see if
the group is a good fit. We meet the second and fourth Sundays at 1:30 at the
Austin Recreation Center near 15th and Lamar. Learn more about us at
http://nip.lizardfire.com
or email deanna@austin.rr.com.
|
| Poetry
| 2nd
& 4th Mondays, 7:30 PM., Hancock Recreation Center. For more information contact
Scott Wiggerman, 512.467.0678, |
| Round
Rock Writers | The
group is limited to six people meeting weekly. Critiques are done using a standard
printed critique form. Members will submit writings biweekly. Each week a published
short story will be analyzed for its strengths and weaknesses. For more information,
contact b613a@yahoo.com.
|
| Romance
Writers of America, Austin chapter |
2nd Tuesday, 7 PM, Marie Callendar’s at Gateway Shopping
Center, 183 and 360; check out Romance
Writers of America, Austin chapter . |
| San
Gabriel Writers League |
1st Thursday, 7 PM, Georgetown Public Library. For more informationvisit
San Gabriel Writers League. |
| SF/Fantasy/Horror
(The Slug Tribe) | 2nd
& 4th Tuesdays, 7 PM., Hancock Recreation Center. Wendy Wheeler, 512-275-5830
or 512-832-1925, email w2@wendy-wheeler.com
or visit The Slug Tribe. |
| Sisters
in Crime | Established
in 1986, the Central Texas chapter welcomes both men & women interested in
mysteries. Programs usually the 2nd Sunday at Barnes & Noble Westlake. Local
dues $15; national dues $40. Visitors are free. Contact Joyce Arquette, 512.266.6543,
email: jamck@ev1.net. Visit the
Austin Chapter, Sisters in Crime. Men &
women interested in mysteries welcome. |
| Space Cave |
The Space Cave residence opens their home to all who would like
to bring their poetry, spoken word, performance to our home to share. There are
no limits as to what kinds of literary experiences you can explore here. Even
if you just want be member of the captive audience and not say anything at all,
that is okay too. There will be creatively titled food provided, and more is welcomed.
Contact Space Cave to sign up to
read, or just show up. Both options are good as gravy. |
| Society for Technical Communication
(Austin Chapter) | For
technical writers, editors, illustrators, Web designers, and others: if your job
involves communicating technical information, the Society for Technical Communication
has the resources you need to help you do your job better ... and to move your
career forward. Monthly meetings at 6 to 8 PM on 4th Tuesdays, in the first floor
auditorium of the MCC building, 3925 West Braker Lane. For a map and more details,
see Society for Technical Communication (Austin
Chapter). | | Story
Circle Network | For
women interested in life-writing. Times. places and other information at Story
Circle Network. | |
The Writing Mamas Salon of Austin |
The Writing Mamas Salon of Austin offers a fun and encouraging
venue for mothers of any age who love to write and share their stories with each
other. Their mantra is meet, write, get published, make money. They meet at Vino
100 - 900 RR 620 Suite C-107 (in the Lakeway Commons Shopping Center) in Lakeway
the first Sunday of each month from 6 - 8 PM. For more information, visit The
Writing Mamas Salon of Austin or write Diane.
| East
Texas
| East Texas Writers Guild
| The East
Texas Writers Guild (Tyler, Texas) is is of special interest to writers of all
genres in East Texas. The guild offers support, education and opportunity for
writers with a serious interest in the art of writing. ETWG meets on the first
Monday of each month at the Texas Store, 51559 Highway 691, Bullard TX. For directions
and more information, visit East Texas
Writers Guild. Visitors are always welcome, but after 3 visits are encouraged
to join in order to continue to receive the newsletter, The Next Chapter, and
other industry information. Contact: Kay or 903.876.2150.
| | The Montgomery
County Literary Arts Council | The
Montgomery County Literary Arts Council Writer In Performance Series, a 501 (c)
3 non-profit corporation, founded by Poet/Creative Writing Instructor Dave Parsons;
Montgomery College Dean Dr. Kenne Turner; and Montgomery County Library Director
Mike Baldwin with the support of grants from Montgomery College, Conroe Commission
on the Arts & Culture, and Texas Commission on the Arts. Their mission is
to bring the most distinguished minds and their bright visions to the citizens
of Montgomery County. MCLAC programs have hosted over a hundred of the most distinguished
writers and poets including several Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and national
and state Poet Laureates. Learn more about the group at The
Montgomery County Literary Arts Council. | | The
Palestine Writers' Critique Group (PWCG) | The
Palestine Writers' Critique Group (PWCG) meets to critique prose on the second,
fourth, and fifth Mondays of each month. We meet at 6 PM at the First Christian
Church, 113 East Crawford, Palestine, TX. All writers and any form of prose are
welcome. We meet solely for the purpose of helping each other improve our writing
and have no officers and no dues. Bring something that can be read in ten minutes. |
North East
Texas
| Northeast Texas
Writers' Organization (NETWO) |
Anyone interested in writing is invited. NETWO hosts a writer'
conference each April and a writers' workshop each fall. NETWO meets the 2nd Thursday
of each month at 6:30 p.m. There is a short business meeting, followed by either
a critique session or a program. NETWO, P.O. Box 411, Winfield, TX 75493 or contact
Georgia Henson, 903.856.6724 or email jimcallan@winnsboro.com.
Visit NETWO for information on
this Mt. Pleasant Group. | North
Texas
| DFW
Writers' Workshop | The
DFW Writers' Workshop is a 30-year-old non-profit organization devoted to
helping writers hone their craft. We meet Wednesday nights at 7 PM in Euless for
read-and-critique sessions. The Workshop is a friendly, supportive atmosphere
for writers of all genres and all experience levels. We have many published members
who are eager to help others succeed. |
| Dallas Writers Group |
Dallas Writers Group, a "general" writers group open
to both beginning and seasoned writers, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from
7 PM to 8:30 PM at the Zula Bryant Wyle Library, 225 Cedar St., Cedar Hill, TX.
| | Denton
Writers' League | Meets
at 10:30 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday at the North Branch of the Denton Library located
at 3020 N. Locust St. in Denton, TX. For more information, email Joni
Latham or visit the DWL. |
| Flower
Mound Writers Group | Flower
Mound Writers Group meets at Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane,
Flower Mound, TX, 972. 874.6200. Meetings start at 7:00 PM and generally run 90
minutes. | |
Freelance Writers Network
(Fort Worth) | The
Freelance Writers Network meets quarterly at the Fort Worth Southwest Library
off Hulen. This group also has a weekly critique group that meets at the same
location every Wedneday from 7-9 PM. This group was started in the early 90s by
Book Doctor Robyn Conley. Dues are $35.00/year. You must be a member to have your
work critiqued, but all writers are welcome to attend. For more information, contact
Lois Matus. |
| Irving Writers'
Connection | Meets 7
PM, second Monday of the month at Barnes & Noble, Irving Mall, and last Monday
of the month at the Irving Arts Center. Critique and visiting speakers for writers
of all experience levels and genres. Newcomers welcome! |
| National League Of Pen Women (Dallas Chapter)
| National League Of Pen
Women (Dallas Chapter) meet on the 1st Saturday of month, 10 a.m., at the Dallas
Library Lakewood Branch Conference Room. |
| North Texas Speculative Fiction
Workshop | Meets
2nd Saturday of the month at Barnes & Noble North Richland Hills, Dallas/Ft.Worth
area. Visit North Texas Speculative Fiction Workshop
or contact: Pat Alley, 972.641.6423. "Speculative fiction - In our case shorter
than saying science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird, alternative, etc." |
| Poetry Discussion
Group - Dallas | Each
meeting led by a different member of the discussion group. Location: Center for
Non-Profit Management, 2900 Live Oak St., 214.821.0911. Contact person: Sue Glenn,
214.828.1715 | | Poetry
Society of Texas, Dallas | Meets
the 2nd Saturday of the month, January through May; September, October, December.
Their annual awards are given in November, and their student awards made in May.
Regular meetings are held at the Preston Royal Library at 5626 Royal Lane, Dallas
at 2:30 PM. Contact Jeannette L.
Strother or visit Poetry
Society of Texas for more information. |
| Southwest Writers |
Southwest Writers meet on the 1st Saturday of the month, 1 PM
- 3 or 3:30 PM. at the Dallas Library, Lakewood Branch Conference Room, Corner
of Gaston & Nesbitt, 1 blk from Lakewood Shopping Center, 214.670.1376. Visit
Southwest Writers for more information, visit Southwest
Writers (Dallas). | |
Trinity Writers' Workshop |
Meets Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. at the Bedford Boy's Ranch (Arts building),
2801 Forest Ridge Dr., Bedford, Texas 76095. Read and critique. Annual Sept conference
(with Tarrant County College) features contest with cash prizes and speakers like
Tom Sawyer, former head script writer for TV series "Murder She Wrote."
See Trinity Writers'
Workshop. | |
Writers' Guild of Texas |
The Writers' Guild of Texas presents a program the third Monday
of
every month from 7 PM to 8:30 PM at Richardson Public Library, 900 Civic
Center Drive, Richardson. Programs are free and open to the public. For more information
visit Writers' Guild of Texas.
| Online
& Other
| Elementals
| For intermediate and advanced
writers interested in the art and craft of fiction-writing. Any and all genres
welcome. Looking for 6-8 members. Will meet once a week online and once every
other month in Austin (location to be determined). Contact Thomas Tilton at tomtilton@hotmail.com
for more information. | |
Eclectic Writer Critique Group |
Meets every three week. For date, time, location, and other information,
email Sean Swank at sean_swank@yahoo.com
| | 1st
Fifty Words | Start
your creative engines. Use the principles of writing practice according to Natalie
Goldberg to write the first 50 words on an
assigned topic. Write anything,
just write! Visit 1st Fifty Words.
| | Science
Fiction Romance | Science
Fiction Romance is a writing organization blending just that - romance and science
fiction genres. This genre covers the spectrum from straight science fiction /
fantasy novels with romantic subplots to works where the romance is the main subplot
or complication. Visit Science
Fiction Romance to learn more about this organization. |
| Texas Accountants and Lawyers for
the Arts (TALA) | Texas
Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) has been providing pro bono legal
& accounting services to artists (including writers) and non-profit organizations
since 1979. TALA serves the entire state of Texas. Visit TALA. |
| Texas Coalition
of Authors | Texas Coalition
of Authors is a non-profit corporation for the purpose of helping Texas authors
market their books. To receive the free monthly e-newsletter with calendar of
literary events, write join@texasauthors.org.
Contact Linda S. Bingham, Texas Coalition
of Authors | | Texas
Non-Fiction Writers | Texas
Non-Fiction Writers is an interactive online community committed to encouraging
interest and excellence in Texas non-fiction. Their online articles, forums, contests,
member contributions and other features make an entirely new kind of writers'
group-one that lets you hear from (and talk to) other writers when and how you
want. Membership in TNFW is free during 2008. Learn more at Texas
Non-Fiction Writers. | San
Antonio Area & South Texas
| Christian Writers
Group of San Antonio | Mondays,
6:30 to 8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Universal City, in Faith Building,
1401 Pat Booker Road; Universal City, TX; 210-658-6394. You do not have to be
members of the church to attend. For more information, contact Brenda Blanchard
at ZBGP1@aol.com |
| Corpus Christi Writers' Circle
| The
Corpus Christi Writers' Circle meets the second Tuesday of every month at Barnes
& Noble on SPID at 10 AM. Everyone - fiction writers, non-fiction writers,
poets, and essayists - are welcome. There are no dues or fees. If they wish, participants
may read a few minutes of their work. They may also submit work in advance for
a group critique. For more information contact Bill Mays at 361.334.3323 or at
bmays@grandecom.net
| |
Gemini Ink |
Gemini Ink is a regional organization
that nurtures writers and readers and builds community through literature and
the related arts. Gemini's programs include four components: University
Without Walls, Writers
in Communities, Dramatic
Reader's Theater, and The
Autograph Series, free readings by internationally respected authors produced
each spring and fall. | |
Kerrville Writers Association |
The KWA began 25 years and it maintains a membership of about
20. The KWA provides support to writers through members' verbal critiques of work
read at meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month. Markets are discussed,
along with member experiences with editors, agents, and publishers. Local workshops
and classes, as well as those in Austin and San Antonio, are announced when available.
The KWA meets at 6:30 p.m at Kerrville's First Presbyterian Church in the Education
Building's room #204. This is located at the corner of Earl Garrett and Jefferson
streets, adjacent to the Kerr County Courthouse. For more information, please
contact Anne Schneider or 830.895.3361.
| | San
Antonio Romance Authors |
San Antonio Romance Authors, a chapter of Romance Writers of America,
meets on the third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cha-Cha's Restaurant, 2026 Babcock,
San Antonio, TX. Speaker presentation begins at 7:30. For more information, visit
San Antonio Romance. |
| San
Antonio Writers Guild |
San Antonio Writers Guild is an organization of writers of all
kinds and all levels of experience. Our purpose is to share information among
all writers and help each other grow in our craft. We meet the first Thursday
of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Congregational Church at 500 Pilgrim Drive.
The first Thursday date is bumped to the second Thursday when holidays interfere,
such as New Year's Day and Independence Day. The general meeting and speaker is
from 7:30 to 8:30 PM Workshops in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry follow after
the general meeting. Critique sessions are also held in San Antonio libraries
on the second, third, fourth and when it happens, the fifth Wednesday of the month.
See website for details of when and where. Visit San
Antonio Writers Guild for more information, call 210.473.5192. |
| SCBWI (Southwest
Texas Chapter, San Antonio) | Visit
Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators for details on meeting
times and locations. | South
East Texas
| Bay
Area Writers' League |
The group meets the first Thursday of each month (if it's
is a holiday, we meet the second Thursday) at Barnes & Noble, 1029 W. Bay
Area Blvd., Webster, TX. (Webster is located just south of the Clear Lake/Houston
area.) Networking begins at 7 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:30. Most
meetings feature a speaker who is a published writer, editor, teacher, or literary
agent. Meetings are free and visitors are welcome. For more information,visit
Bay Area Writers' League. |
| Brazos
Writers | Second
Thursday of a month at 7 p.m. at the new P. David Romel Arts Center building,
2275 Dartmouth Street, College Station. Brazos
Writers is a nonprofit support community for those interested in the development
and encouragement of all types of writers. Our regular meetings consist of speakers
and programs. They also have regularly meeting critique groups. |
| Houston Writers Guild |
The Houston Writers Guild (formerly the Fort Bend Writers Guild)
meets at Borders Books, 12788 Fountain Lake Circle, Stafford TX 77477, which is
at the Southwest Freeway and Kirkwood on Tuesday nights at 7 PM. The guild offers
classes, tutoring and individual help for those who want it and has connections
with several other groups where they can steer you there if it is closer to where
you live. | |
Houston Writers Network |
2nd Thursday, The Yale Street Coffee House, 2617 Yale in the Heights.
For more information, visit Houston
Writers Network. | |
Mystery Writers of America/Southwest Region |
Meets the third Saturday of most months, with the exception of
July, August and December at noon at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 5353 Westheimer,
in the Galleria area of Houston. The meeting includes a luncheon, followed by
a speaker from law enforcement, forensics, editing, publishing, or a successful
author. Cost of the luncheon meeting is $17 for MWA members or $20 for nonmembers.
For information on the current speaker and to make reservations, call 713-797-8464.
MWA/SW members also meet monthly in Dallas and New Orleans. Information on all
meetings can be found at Mystery Writers of America/Southwest
Region. |
| White Oak Writers (Houston)
| WOW offers
all wordsmiths a chance to gather in the Heights and Oak Forest area of Houston
for a selection of in-person critique groups. Social gatherings and group invitations
to writer’s happy hours, book signings, book release parties, workshops and
conferences also bring them together on their writer's journey. They invite and
are joined by authors in all genres, published and unpublished, poets, editors,
storytellers, journalists, illustrators, literary translators, artists, screenwriters,
publishers and our admirers. Members are provided resources including lists of
vetted contests, vetted editors, writing events, workshops, conferences, other
critique groups and general nourishment for your muse. Contact White
Oak Writers of Houston.
| |
Women in the Visual and Literary Arts |
Women in the Visual and Literary Arts brings together visual artists
from multiple disciplines and writers of all types in a special, vibrant atmosphere.
Open to those on the way to becoming the writer or artist you wish to be as well
as seasoned professionals in the fields. WILA meets the third Tuesday of each
month except December at the Museum of Printing History, 1234 West Clay, Houston.
For more information visit WILA. |
| Write
Ingredients Writer's Workshop |
The Write Ingredients Writer's Workshop of The Woodlands meets
every Monday at 7 PM at Barnes and Noble, The Woodlands Mall. Co-leaders are Kristl
Volk Franklyn and Jonna Smith. For more information, visit their Web
site. | | Writers
Club of Pasadena | Meets
in the community room of the Fairmont Branch Pasadena Public Library on Fairmont
Parkway at 1 PM. The objectives of the Writers Club of Pasadena are "to encourage
members to WRITE and to share themselves and their thoughts with others without
fear of hurtful criticism or misunderstandings.Visit Writers
Club of Pasadena for more information. |
| Rio Grande Valley Writers
| Critique group
meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-3:30 PM in the Main Library. Contact
person is Georgia Tuxbury, or 956.783.7421.
| | The Valley Byliners | Valley
Byliners was established in 1943 by a group of writers who wanted to improve their
skills and enjoy fellowship with other writers. Throughout the years, the group
has sponsored many writers’ workshops, conferences, and writing contests.
For more information, visit The
Valley Byliners. | West Texas
| Texas Mountain
Trail Writers | Texas
Mountain Trail Writers is an active writers group that meets monthly in Alpine
and alternately in Ft. Davis. All lovers of the written word are welcome to visit,
hear informative programs, network, write in our frequent interactive programs,
share current work, and socialize with other friendly writers. For information
contact Donna Greene or Reba
Cross Seals . | |
West Texas Writers |
The West Texas Writers
meet at 2 PM the first Saturday of each month except for June, July and August,
or unless a holiday conflict occurs. For current meeting locations and future
scheduled speakers, contact Marty Morris in
Midland, Texas or call 432.620.0282. | |
