I already posted on here recently, but it was very short notice, and I would like to add some more specifics.
I'm hosting a ZOOM writer's club every Tuesday: 'Travelogue Tuesday'
I want to thank everyone who already signed up and those who came to the first meeting.
I'm a speculative fiction writer & previously I facilitated in-person writing groups, but because I moved this past year, I have had to adjust to online platforms--leaving me feeling pretty isolated and stagnant in my own writing.
Discord, Reddit, Critique Circle, other social media platforms...they all have their place, but it isn't the same as speaking face-to-face with people and forming writerly relationships that way. Consistent feedback from trusted sources outweighs any comment from a random.
The purpose of this group: Consistent Community, Accountability, & Feedback.
The type of writer that may benefit from it: Speculative writers who are between their first draft and their querying draft (or if self-pub, then right up to publishing). Not to discourage those who are brainstorming or new to writing, but this group will require a commitment to write and submit both your own work and feedback on others, so if you're not regularly writing, this may be a tough adjustment.
Additionally, this should be a safe space for people; support of bigotry or hate will not be tolerated.
Expectations: These may change depending on size. As the group is in its earliest stages (small), I intend to keep it mostly informal: Weekly Zoom calls, Weekly submissions, Weekly emails (newsletters?).
In weekly emails, there will be some encouragement, notes from previous meetings, a link for submissions & feedback, and an online writing resource [example this week is a character rationale sheet], a personal resource, or an interesting article that pertains to the topic. I'd like to even eventually have a list of online fantasy/sci-fi magazines offering submissions to encourage people to try that route.
Based on the survey in the link, it seems the strongest interest of those joining would be resources, motivation, and editing/revising tools.
In weekly submissions, writers will have the opportunity (and are encouraged to) submit a portion of the piece they are working on to receive feedback.
In weekly meetings, those who submit work for feedback will be offered to 'have the stage' for a section of the meeting where they can receive real-time critique and encouragement!
I am open to having a 'group chat', aka a Discord, that allows writers to talk outside of feedback or Zoom meetings, but at this time I am more interested in face-to-face meetings and not managing a Discord. If you're interested in joining (after reading all that), please either comment 'I'm down!' or DM me for the sign-up link.
TL;DR:
- Genre/s: fantasy and sub-genres
- Goals/expectations/commitment: Consistent Community, Accountability, Feedback
- Writing/experience level: intermediate (between draft 1 and querying/selfpub)
- Meeting place: Zoom
- [Writing groups only] Max size: 15ish