Anyone willing to give a thoughtful, honest, yet respectful, critique is welcome.  Many topics, genres and forms are welcome (Ex. chapter of a novel, short story, play, poem, article, essay, etc.).  While publishing is a worthy goal, the focus of this group is helping writers fine tune works, which either have literary value or are otherwise substantive (i.e. scholarly).  All such works are welcome. Those concerned with poverty, and / or human and animal rights and welfare, and similar issues (i …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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' …

This is a group for anyone interested in starting their novel, finishing their novel, deciding whether to write a novel or a short story. It is for those who want: to critique and be critiqued; to read out loud; to share experiences, etc. All skill levels are welcomed. I started this group because I need the input of other writers to, more confidently, self publish my novels. I am looking forward to helping you do the same and to having you share your publishing experiences with the group.”

You are not alone.  You are a part of a multitude of free thinkers, purveyors of the eccentric, odd and out of sorts.  You are bohemian, you are insufferable, you are difficult, you are creative... and you are meticulous.  You my friend, you are a writer.  You were born this way.  You were observing, criticizing, organizing, partitioning, petitioning, complimenting, hiding for years and no one saw it and you didn't see it.  But there you were, writing in some notebook at 2 in the morning laughin …

This is a chance for artists of all sorts in the West Suburbs of Chicago -- whether your medium is expressed visually, verbally, sonically, or some combination -- to cross-pollinate, gather ideas and energy, and find inspiration, consolation and encouragement. The hope is to gather regularly as a group, creating opportunities to organize smaller klatches, as well as opportunities to find like spirit and lasting artistic relationships. We may even be able to organize readings, performances and sh …

Meet other local writers and let creativity bloom! Come to the Writers Circle to review work, trade literary tips, make friends and have fun! All writers -- and should-be writers -- are welcome! The best way to develop your skills as a writer is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Yet we all know that writing by yourself can be a lonely occupation, that misses out on the all-important motivation component. Therefore, it may help to join the writers circle--a band of peers who will rea …

The Calumet River Creative Writing Group's mission is to stimulate and encourage local authors to hone their writing abilities, harness their writing skills, share information that will help achieve our goals of becoming professionally published authors and to provide a network and camaraderie for those with a passion for writing and authorship.

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.

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.

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 …

How many times have you had difficulty making a decision because one part of you wanted one thing, but another part of you wanted something else? “A part of me wants to…another part doesn’t.” Conflicting inner 'parts' of ourselves are one of the main obstacles to inner peace and personal power: • Parts of us who want to do new things are blocked by parts who are afraid to take risks. • Parts of us who want to get things done are stumped by parts who procrastinate. • Parts of us who want to be …

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!

A group of writers, whether published or not, who support all kinds of heroes including the brave members of our armed forces to those on the front lines in hospitals, fire stations, police departments, schools, and so much more. Our support ranges from donating books, supporting literacy efforts, and helping those who face danger and difficult challenges to explore their experiences through the power of telling their story.

Chicago Meetup is Chicago's Meetup Group for creativity, style, life, and nightlife.  With over 3,000 members, Chicago Meetup is the largest Arts & Culture Meetup Group in Chicago and is one of its largest overall.  Nearly shut down in July 2009 when its original founder left, the group has flourished as Chicago's most eclectic Meetup Group and one of the city's most active and fastest-growing groups. Because it operated for over three years as the Creative Social Club and remains dedicated to e …

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 …

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 …

Coffee with entrepreneurs, makers, developers, and creatives in the Chicago area. Meet other entrepreneurs and creatives, hear announcements on upcoming startup and creative events, and talk about startup and tech news. What better way could there be to start your day? Have a question? Get it answered at this meetup. Like to network? No problem here. Get caffeinated, start your day, and meet some interesting, creative, and smart people in the city.

We are about inspiring, empowering, and helping screenwriters and filmmakers reach their goals and be more successful. We're on a mission to bring more production, from start to finish, to Chicago. We're expanding to connect to funding opportunities in Chicago and around the world. We've opened this group up to screenwriters, writers, directors, producers, filmmakers, and funding resources. Please be part of it. Reach out and make this a community to help each other.

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 …

We decided to start this group to create an opportunity to meet new, creative people, plus help out a very deserving non-profit organization by volunteering to help- Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center.  CUARC is totally run by volunteers. Some come once, some once in awhile, and some help out once a week or more. This meet-up population will be focused on coming together and sharing our talents in a positive way--whether that be painting (artful, or home-improvement), gardening, organizing a fund …

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 …

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 …

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!