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.

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.

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

Find inspiration and support, bounce ideas off of other writers, test drive something you have written and receive feedback. Come join us.

I've yet to find a writing group that really clicks for me, so I thought I'd start my own. This would be a group for writers of all stripes who want to meet up on a regular basis to share their work, exchange constructive criticism and most likely drink a beer or two. I want this to be a fun and casual group, but I also want it populated with people who are passionate about words and the arrangement thereof. Whether it's a poem, essay, short story or novel, I just want to do the damn thing and s …

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 …

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!

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 …

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 …

Adventures for intelligent foodies. Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out in 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 gourmet reading and good food shared with friends, you're welcome here at Litereati. We get together for lively, delicious din …

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!

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 …

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.

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.

Sacred Harp singing is a form of 'a cappella' singing that regularly takes place in communities across the United States and beyond.  It has brought people together to sing in living rooms, churches, and community centers since 1844.  It is rich in history and tradition, and it continues to be a thriving form of American shape note singing.  Its distinctive melodies and harmonies attract many singers for a lifelong journey of singing.  Sacred Harp singing made its way to Chicago thirty years ago …

We hope to critique each other's drafts of all sorts in a mutually supportive and awesome environment. This group is invite-only to ensure that we stay tiny (hence the name). We meet about twice a month and share drafts to read a few days in advance. We're into all sorts of writing styles, from humorous to serious to abstract. Many of us are sex-positive feminists; if you're not down with that please don't apply.

This group started in May 2011, and we've read novels by Joyce, Malraux, Kafka, Wright, Mishima, Faulkner, Nabokov, Unamuno, Ellison, Hamsun, Woolf, Biely, Gide, and many others.  We try to have a good time discussing the books without descending to small talk, think critically without descending to pedantry, etc. Also, as the title shows, we've expanded our reading list since the group started.  We don't really want to title the group something as vague as "Chicago Literature Group," etc., and …

This is a group for you creative people who have an idea, a project, a good cause, or an innovation you want to make a reality—but have always been stopped for lack of funds. We will learn how to be a part of the connection economy and use reward- and donor-based crowdfunding effectively to access your community, your tribe, your like-minded thinkers, in order to make your dreams a reality. If you've been wondering what crowdfunding is all about, and whether you can use it to fund your dream, I' …

The Word of Mouth Marketing Association is the official trade association dedicated to word of mouth and social media marketing. Founded in 2004, WOMMA is the leader in ethical word of mouth marketing practices through its education such as WOMMA Summit, professional development opportunities, and knowledge sharing with top industry marketers. WOMMA’s membership is made up of the most innovative companies committed to progressing the word of mouth marketing industry through advocacy, education, …

We're a group of people who are interested in checking out the various cultural and art offerings of Chicago, which includes concerts, art shows, visits to museums, open mike nights, and even culinary experiences. We want to make new friends and form of community of people sharing common interest in the arts. We want to explore Chicago together!

Feeling stuck, in a rut? Has life become dull or purposeless? Need a boost to your creativity? Just want to unearth your creativity? Join me for The Artist's Way. Based on Julia Cameron's book of the same title, we will create a very safe, nurturing community in which to discover and/or rejuvenate your creative self.

I'm a 27 year-old New York transplant (born here, nice to be back) looking for some cool comrades of any age to share/workshop with in a relaxed setting (my apt. has killer views!) with the record player turning and the libations flowing. I'm a published poet working on my second chapbook and I'm heavily influenced by Patti Smith, old-school punk rock, the beauty in the gritty and vinyls. If you like that kind of stuff--awesome. If not--awesome. I'd also like to do a poetry "book club," where we …

Shalom and Welcome The Shiviti Drum Circle is a non-denominational monthly Jewish spiritual musical event. ALL ARE WELCOME. This is a facilitated participatory musical event which has been meeting on the 2nd Sunday of each month for almost 7 years now. Each gathering is always a Unique Experience! Sometimes more spiritual, Sometimes more fun. Sometimes more energetic, Sometimes more laid back. Sometimes indoors, Sometimes outdoors. Sometimes you will learn, Sometimes we will learn from you …

Busy adults looking to meet people in the city with similar interests to talk about.  Nurses, Doctors, Massage Therapist, Physical Therapists, Healthcare office managers, insurance billers, ect. or just anyone interested in wellness and health.  Or anyone that would like to learn.  Come meet up, talk, and share who you are and what you like.  Everyone is welcome both Male and Female.

The Chicago First Time Home Buyers Meetup is founded and organized by Jim Barclay, a Chicago area Realtor with The Real Estate Group. Our goal is to inform and educate Chicagoans who are interested in achieving the goal of home ownership. We are dedicated to serving the needs of aspiring home owners across all income levels and throughout the Chicago neighborhoods. Jim will host regular workshops that will cover the home buying process from start to finish, various financing options available …

The Singer's Salon is an opportunity to sing for your peers and others, in a safe and nurturing setting. It is a place to refine your performance skills, try out new material, or just get more comfortable in front of an audience.

Our Vision is to create a spiritual community of musicians, artists, singers, chanters, and dancers who come together on mother earth under our father sky. We will play the rhythms and sounds of ancient & modern tribes, aboriginal groups and devotional music. The musicians will play music, while the artists are welcome to paint or sculpt their visions. The chanters will immerse their vocals to the ethnic vibes while the dancers will move their bodies beautifully. Some of the various sounds will …

This Artists Way Meetup was created to provide you with the opportunity to meet others artists who are working, and working ON working. We have occasional meetings, and many opportunities to jump-start your creative process by trying new media and modes of working.