the Writers' Collaborative · Reading, MA
Writing programs, groups,
and community.
Facilitated writing sessions, workshops, and critique groups, held daytime and evening, every week.
Daytime and evening tracks to fit your schedule
Our calendar has two independent tracks. Daytime programming runs from morning through the afternoon, and evening programming starts after the workday ends. Whether you write full time or after hours, our schedule works for you.
The current schedule is always posted on our calendar.
In addition to our weekly writing group sessions and programming, Writers' Collaborative members have access to our writing workspace from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day.
Practice
Programming dedicated to the process: goal-setting, drafting, and revision. In addition to these sessions, members can access our writing workspace for individual work from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily with their unique entry code.
Writing Circles
Writing Circles are structured writing sessions that serve as a chance to make meaningful progress alongside other writers. Each session opens with light discussion and goal setting. Then, we write for an hour and conclude with reflection.
View upcoming Writing Circle sessions →Session breakdown
- 20 to 30 minutes, light discussion and goal setting
- 1 hour, quiet writing time
- 20 to 30 minutes, discussion and reflection
- Daytime and evening options
Revision Circle
Too often we mix writing and revision. Revision is a separate and equally important act, and it should be treated as such. Our Revision Circles are structured revision sessions that serve as a chance to make meaningful progress alongside other writers.
View upcoming Revision Circle sessions →Full description
Each session opens with a discussion on process. For writers new to treating revision as a standalone act, we walk through the Writers' Collaborative revision methodology and help you establish a process that fits your project. Then we work for an hour and conclude with reflection.
- 20 to 30 minutes, discussion on process
- 1 hour, quiet revision time
- 20 to 30 minutes, discussion and reflection
- Daytime and evening options
The Traction Lab
Achieving our writing goals takes realistic goal setting, consistency, and accountability. The Traction Lab was designed to help writers build a practice that delivers results.
View upcoming Traction Lab sessions →Full description
Through workshops and discussions, we build and refine the plan behind your project. We cover the complete process, including breaking large projects into stages, setting targets that fit your schedule, and pivoting when things don't go to plan. We serve as each other's “accountability buddies,” meeting regularly to review our progress and determine what comes next.
Every session stands on its own, so you can jump in at any time.
- Meets every other week, daytime and evening
- Open to all writers, at any stage and in any genre
There's a session on the calendar for wherever your project is right now.
Learn
Where we study and explore craft. New writing workshops appear on our calendar every week, alongside our standing craft and poetry groups.
Weekly Workshops
Every week we offer new facilitated workshops covering a variety of topics. Each one moves through a guided lesson, exercises, and discussion. Plus, every workshop has a defined outcome.
View upcoming Workshop sessions →Full description
Every workshop incorporates our collaborative learning approach, because we've seen how much writers learn from each other.
- Guided lesson with examples
- Exercises written in the session
- Group discussion
- New workshops every week, daytime and evening
- Nothing to read or prepare in advance
The Page
Our creative writing and craft group, meeting biweekly for generative writing sessions, workshops, and readings. Each session is designed to help writers produce new work, try new forms, and experiment with new styles. Open to all writers.
View upcoming The Page sessions →Format
- Meets every other week
- Topic and session vary
The Line
Our dedicated poetry group, meeting biweekly for workshops and readings. Sessions cover form, style conventions, and writing exercises, so you leave with new work and new ideas.
View upcoming The Line sessions →Format
- Meets every other week
- Topic and session vary
- Evenings only
We don't lecture. Every writer in the room has a voice and brings their unique perspective.
Feedback
Whether you're looking for formal critique or general feedback, we have a session for you.
Fiction Critique Group
Members onlyOur daytime and evening Fiction Critique Groups are open to Writers' Collaborative members working on novels, novellas, short fiction, and flash fiction, in any genre and at any stage of drafting or revision. One writer has the floor each session, and they send their work out two weeks ahead of their scheduled critique.
View upcoming Fiction Critique Group sessions →What to submit
Submit up to 7,500 words, or roughly thirty double-spaced pages, along with any questions you have for the group.
- Daytime and evening groups
- Meets every other week
- Critique rotates between writers, one writer per session
- Work exchanged two weeks in advance
Nonfiction Critique Group
Members onlyOur daytime and evening Nonfiction Critique Groups are open to Writers' Collaborative members working on narrative nonfiction projects including, but not limited to, memoir, personal essay, and family history or legacy projects. One writer has the floor each session, and they send their work out two weeks ahead of their scheduled critique.
View upcoming Nonfiction Critique Group sessions →What to submit
Submit up to 5,000 words, or roughly twenty double-spaced pages, along with any questions you have for the group.
- One daytime group, one evening group
- Meets every other week
- Critique rotates between writers, one writer per session
- Work exchanged in advance
Work in Progress Reading
Members onlyAt our Work in Progress Readings, Writers' Collaborative members read from a current project and receive live feedback from fellow members. Each writer has ten minutes to read and receives ten minutes of feedback from the group. Ask the group about something specific or read for general feedback. Writers of all genres are welcome. Join us to share, or to hear what other writers are working on.
View upcoming Work in Progress Reading sessions →Format
- Six readers per session
- 10 minutes reading, per writer
- 10 minutes group feedback, per writer
Somewhere to sit with the notes afterward.
Readership
Helping you develop your audience from the ground up.
Odyssey Group
Members onlyOur Odyssey Groups are designed to help writers establish and grow an audience around their writing. These facilitated sessions feature two components: a rotating hot seat and a workshop or discussion tailored to the needs of the group.
View upcoming Odyssey Group sessions →How a session runs
Strong audiences build on strong stories, and no two writers get there the same way. That's why each session opens with a thirty-minute hot seat, where one member brings their work and questions and receives the full attention of the room. Members use the hot seat to discuss their goals, obstacles, and progress, drawing on the collective experience of the group to work out their next move.
The hour that follows consists of a workshop or discussion shaped by the needs of the group. Sessions include Developing Your Author Website, Establishing a Substack, and Introduction to Content Strategy and Qualitative Audience Development.
- 30 minutes, rotating hot seat
- 1 hour, workshop or discussion based on the needs of the group
- Members only, one daytime group and one evening group
- Meets every other week
Open to members for quiet writing from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, every day.
Per-session rates
Writers' Collaborative members have access to every writing program and group listed at no additional cost. Learn more about membership.
In addition, Journey Members receive a dedicated writing coach and a personalized, ongoing coaching engagement through the Writers' Clinic.
Limited time offer: our next ten members receive a guaranteed twelve-month rate lock. Offer valid as of today.
$15
per session
- Writing Circle
- Revision Circle
Included with membership
$35
per session
- Weekly Workshop
- The Page
- The Line
- The Traction Lab
Included with membership
Members only
- Fiction Critique Groups
- Nonfiction Critique Groups
- Work in Progress Reading
- Odyssey Groups
New to the center? You can register for one free session. Message us and let us know which session you'd like to attend, and we'll take care of the rest.
Sign Up For My Free SessionRegistration, cancellations, and rescheduling
Registration and RSVP
48 hours ahead
Members RSVP through our Writers' Collaborative Member Platform and non-members register through our calendar. Registration closes 48 hours before sessions start.
Cancellations
What happens if a session can't run
Unfortunately, we sometimes need to cancel sessions due to extreme weather or insufficient enrollment.
When a cancellation is necessary, we'll notify you.
- You will be credited the amount toward another program at a comparable price.
- If the program was canceled due to insufficient enrollment, you may request a refund instead.
If you need to cancel a session you've registered for, let us know and we'll issue you a credit toward another program of comparable value.
Flexibility
Our schedule is designed based on what we hear from the writers in our community
If we're missing something, or the session you want is scheduled at a time you can't make, let us know. We're open to adjusting our calendar and adding new sessions.
Find the session that fits.
Every writing group and program on this page is included with your Writers' Collaborative membership, daytime and evening, every week.
Questions about a program, or looking for something that isn't here? Email info@writersclc.com or call (781) 663-2800