A weekly goal setting and critiquing group for writers.

Who are we? We're a group of people from all over NE IL/ SE WI who love to write. Our members come from all backgrounds, representing every stage of the writing process, from beginner to full-time writer. There are no limits on genre. Our members span the board, bringing in non-fiction, fiction, blogs, poems, essays, concept outlines, and so on. Meetings generally consist of members reading pieces they've written. They are then critiqued by the rest of the group. We strive to offer helpful tips …

Attendees from the 2008 Northwestern Summer Writers Conference share feedback, resources, and support.

Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense and Dark Fiction Conference. The Coolest Crime Scene Happens Every February in Chicago - Plead Guilty and Be There. For writers - February in Chicago is the hottest time of the year! Agents, publishers, Master Classes, forensic professionals, weapons experts, essential panels, presentations, and elbows to rub--the perfect antidote for whatever ails writers at every level. Love is Murder--be freezin' for a reason and come ready to advance your career and …

We are an informal group of Shakespeare lovers and "aficionados" of the bard. We welcome interpretations and discussions of the Bard. However, we are Stratfordians. Please keep this in mind when you join. Join us to discuss the brilliant bawdy Bard.

The Author! Author! networking group brings together traditional and self-published authors to share ideas about marketing themselves and their books through promotions, public relations, publicity, advertising and other marketing techniques. The group welcomes: first-time authors of all genres as well as those who already have a few published books under their belts marketing and PR professionals those who are interested in the book publishing business and/or want to learn more about it. The fo …

Songsalive! is a non profit organization supporting and promoting songwriters and composers worldwide. In Chicago IL, we have songwriting critique workshops with guest speakers the second Saturday of each month. We also have a songwriters showcase on the fourth Thursday of every other month.  www.songsalive.org/group/chicago for more details. Our official website is www.songsalive.org.

We believe in the whole writing process, not just the finished product. We see writing as a tool for emotional well-being, self-discovery, self-expression and inspiration. We focus on how writing can be used for emotional well-being and how to launch a successful career as a writer. Whether you love to journal or want to take your writing to the next level, this writing circle is for you. Begin your writing journey today and join now.

This group is for published, established and working writers who seek fraternity, conversation and friendship. Join if you're a published/established/working writer looking for the company of your peers, and seeking like-minded companions for talk, dining, museums, films, concerts, travel and other activities.

First and foremost: We are not a critique group. We are not a workshop group. We are a group of writers who get together to...just write. This is a group that meets to WRITE, to socialize, and to offer encouragement and inspiration to others as we practice our craft. We're focused on the process, not the product.  Writing can be a solitary activity...but it doesn't have to be. This is a group where the focus is actually on DOING the work as opposed to critiquing already finished works. I found s …

The 12th annual Love is Murder on Dark & Stormy Nights Mystery Fans Conference will be Feb. 4-6, 2011 at the Intercontinental O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont. Hear presentations from authors and publishers; meet one-on-one with agents, editors and authors; and mingle with readers and fans of mystery, dark fiction, suspense and romance. It's the Midwest's PREMIER mystery con!

What would happen if you took a culinary club full of fun foodies and added gourmet reading and travel? Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out, reviewing great restaurants and immersing yourself in fascinating new cultures and cuisines, Litereati is for you. Whether you're a professional chef, a food blogger or just someone who enjoys good food and good books shared with friends, you' …

CWN is a group of serious writers who are committed to furthering their work through a workshop-style critique process. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please be sure to read CWN's Critique Guidelines under the Pages tab before you submit your first piece for critique.

This is a group designed for writer's in the area. The best way to improve the craft is through practice, so why not have a writer's circle where we can share our work and offer positive criticism? This is for anyone who loves to write, whether it's your vocation or just a hobby. All writing is welcome, fiction and non-fiction.  Anyone who loves to put pen to paper, or more accurately fingers to keyboard, this is the group for you.

Who We Are The Chicago Female-Focused Film Meetup & Festival is a group of film industry artists who are interested in actively participating in the creation, support, development, and promotion of films and screenplays that offer increased opportunities for women in film, especially in broadening the types of roles, stories, ages, body-types, diversity and the overall presence and number of women in film. Members range in experience from student filmmakers to professionals and include writers …

If you like to write and want a supportive environment in which to write join us! Each week, a member volunteers to provide writing prompts to spark our creativity. It can be a first line, an object, a picture, a situation. For about 10-15 minutes we write and if we feel like sharing we read our creation aloud. This is not a critique group - only positive feedback is encouraged. We usually fit in 3-4 prompts in an evening. Member ages range from young adults to octagenarians. You do not h …

Hello and welcome to Critique This, a Meetup group for serious writers with serious goals. If you're looking for encouragement, direction, interesting discussions and writing support, you've found it! When a writers' group really works, it can be the highlight of your week. I belonged to another writers' group for five years. Having others read and critique my work has contributed more to my growth as an author than any class or workshop. Reading and critiquing others' work, and the camaraderie …

Are you a food blogger or food writer? Food photographer or stylist? Let's meet and be inspired, encouraged and exchange successes, failures, tips and, yes, eat!

This is a group for people who are working on writing a novel, short story, and poem. We'll get together once a week at different locations in Chicago, depending on what's most convenient and give each other constructive criticism and ideas on our literary pieces. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

The Chicago area chapter of ACFW - The American Christian Fiction Writers gathers published and aspiring fiction writers of faith in a variety of genres. We currently meet the first Friday of every month. Interested writers may attend meetings twice as a guest before formalizing their membership in the national organization and local chapter. For more information about the national organization, visit http://www.acfw.com/

What is Off Campus Writers’ Workshop? Ever since 1946, OCWW has encouraged and inspired Chicago-area writers in developing their writing avocations. OCWW meets every Thursday morning from September to May. A variety of speakers will elevate your writing technique with a diversity of topics, amongst which can be genre fiction, nonfiction, children’s lit, contemporary simmerings of romance fiction, poetry, publishing and the implication of ebooks. Here, you will achieve your individual writing goa …

We want people interested in any form of art, who want to get together with others and spend some time sharing and creating. Whether you are a painter, sculptor, writer, musician, etc. We just want a fun, free atmosphere to enhance your creativity!

Meeting to discuss our own poetry. Working out chinks in the armor, making improvements, listening for sounds, searching for themes and generally becoming more self-aware as a writer, as well as learning to become better self-critics. And of course a good place to chat with other poets and find community, and lay it on thick with pet peeves regarding the state of poetry. We would also go to occasional readings and maybe if everyone is up to it to an Open Mic as well. We will begin by meeting o …

You've seen the ladies of SNL do it. You've seen Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham do it. Now, with the support of your fellow Chicago commediennes, you can do it too! Share sketch ideas, read a script you've been working on, or meet the other half of your comedy writing dream team. Essay, fiction, and web writers welcome. Even if you don't have any material to test out on this friendly female audience (yet), you'll get inspired just hanging out with some fellow Chicago funny ladies. Join the discuss …

Calling all inspired memoir writers who need a community of writers to put their inspiration into action. Procrastination can be our enemy. Often we need deadlines to kick us into gear to put the pen to paper. All levels are welcome from novice memoirists to published authors. The only requirement is to actually turn in work and respectfully comment on each other's manuscripts.

Our group is made up of published and unpublished writers of all types and genres. We meet two times a month, usually on Thursdays. We meet at the Algonquin Public Library’s main (Harnish) branch to read and critique each others work, as well as for “Creativity Cafe,” which will include write-in nights or special workshops. Our goal is to not only to keep the creative juices flowing, but to bring them to fruition by getting our work published. We are an open group – no dues to pay, no obligatio …

A group for writers in Lake Conty, IL. Write-Ins held on various days at various times and locations. This is not a critique circle, just a group for people with an interest in or passion for writing to get together and write.  All levels welcome from newbies to published authors.

Writers space, individual studio spaces with Internet access , writers and creatives in a collaborative space, On the new Bloomingdale bike trail at Kimball. Auto parking lot and bike racks. This is new so I'm looking for input.