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A Group for Everyone…

What is a Writing Group?

It may sound a little intimidating, or it may sound very exciting, but a writing group is simply a group of writers (of various abilities and genre interests) who get together regularly to share their work and give and receive feedback and support. If you think you might be interested in a group, email one of the group leaders below by clicking on the leader’s name.

Current groups that are meeting in the SSI area

BEGINNERS (for all genres and all writers who want help getting started)

  • Led by Scott Slechta
  • Participants can choose to attend either the 3rd Monday (1:00 pm) OR the 1st Tuesday (1:30 pm) of the month, except June-August
  • Jittery Joes in Redfern Village

FICTION (general)

  • Led by Barbara Kruk (phone: 631-807-2183)
  • Meets 3rd Wednesday of each month (9:30-11:30 am), subject to change to accommodate the needs of the group. Please check with group leader on next dates/times.
  • Location (check with facilitator)

FICTION (general)

  • Led by Ciera Smith
  • Meets 1st Tuesday of each month (4:00 pm)
  • Wake Up Coffee

NON-FICTION/MEMOIR

  • Led by Michele Messina
  • Meets 1st Thursday of the month (10:00 am)
  • Jittery Joes in Redfern Village

Facilitator’s Note: The Memoir/Nonfiction Writing Group is here to support and assist you on your writing journey. We provide a safe and welcoming space for both beginners and published writers who can expect respectful feedback that fosters a deeper understanding and improvement. Our meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of every month at 10 AM at Jittery Joe’s in Redfern Village. Please contact me by clicking on my name above.

CHILDRENS/YOUNG ADULT

POETRY

DEVOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

Why Join a Writing Group?

by Claudia Collins Mullins (SSIWS member)

Enjoy writing? Simply for your own enjoyment or possibly dream of one day being a published author? Hesitant about exposing your thoughts and ideas to others?  Once upon a time over a year ago, I was sitting where you are today. Then I took a step.  I joined a  group through the SSI Writers Society after attending a meet and greet. I went mainly because the location was somewhere I had always wanted to visit. I met the nicest group of people, all with the shared interest of improving their skill of storytelling.

The first small group gathering was definitely a step out of my comfort zone.  However, I asked if I could just come and observe, get to know the other members, and decide if I was comfortable with the process of peer review.  It was a revelation how positive the feedback was, even when questioning grammar, syntax, plot development, and characterizations. A couple of months under my belt, I submitted my first article, welcomed the well-intentioned feedback, and continue to enjoy our monthly gathering immensely.  My group has published authors, authors still waiting to be published, and writers whose work is for their own enjoyment.  We have novelists, short story authors, and article authors.  Currently the writing topics include a futuristic fantasy; a coming of age story; an intriguing plot exploring segregation and the Vietnam War; a murder on Long Island, NY; a broken engagement in Asheville, NC; a ghost in Charleston; and a travel log.

If you enjoy putting words on paper, I encourage you to consider joining the SSI Writers Society.

It has certainly enriched my life.  It will enrich yours too.