Watermark Writers offering writers groups and open mic www.watermarkwriters.com/index.html for details. 

Tacoma and Pierce County Library systems (includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula and more) offer excellent writer events. 

Kings Books, Tacoma,  Book clubs, open mics, poetry readings, and special writer/reader events (253) 272-8801

Tacoma Community College, Gig Harbor Phone (253)460-2424 Writing classes and the Write on the Sound writer's conference offered in November each year.

Watermark Writers, Key Peninsula. Open mics with featured author or poet to be announced monthly at Blend Wine Shop 8914 Key Pen Hwy Call 253-884-9688 for information. Free writing group where writers meet to assist one another, share & strengthen work plus special writer events (253) 778-6559

826 Seattle, a Nonprofit Writing and Tutoring Center 826 Seattle is dedicated to helping youth, ages 6 to 18, improve their creative writing skills. They are a chapter of a national program and offer after-school tutoring, workshops, field trips, in-school support, and publishing. They welcome volunteers.

Elliott Bay Bookstore has the most comprehensive list of author events in Seattle on their site. 

Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America. The mission of the GSRWA is to promote excellence in romantic fiction. One of their goals is to provide a place where writers can come for growth and support with monthly meetings in Bellevue.

Northwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America MWA is the premier organization for mystery writers and other professionals in the mystery field, and the Northwest Chapter serves members of MWA that live in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. 

Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Foremost writers association in Seattle with annual conference, and monthly meetings, annual contest.

Richard Hugo House fosters writers, builds community, and engages the Pacific Northwest in the world of writing. They have a multitude of workshops and events year-round.

Seattle7 Writers is a collective of Pacific Northwest authors who want to create connections between writers, readers, librarians, and booksellers. They conduct workshops and fund raising events.

Seattle Arts & Lectures  SAL’s 2012/13 Literary Series features an impressive lineup of distinguished authors. 

Seattle Free Lances Founded in 1921, Seattle Free Lances is Seattle's oldest association for professional writers. "Rolodex of freelance and contract talent

Sisters in Crime We are 3600 members in 48 chapters world-wide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors. We are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by our affection for the mystery genre and our support of women who write mysteries. 

The Society of Children's Book Writers & IllustratorsThe SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. 

University of Washington School of Professional and Continuing Education , nonfiction and fiction writing classes for beginners through advanced. 

The Writer's Workshop The Writer's Workshop is an on-campus and online writing program based in Seattle, Washington. The Writer's Workshop offers classes in Creative Nonfiction, Nonfiction book, travel and fiction writing. Contact nick@thewritersworkshop.net (206-284-7121) for more info. 

 
Washington state, and Puget Sound in particular, has a plethora of opportunities to develop their craft and connect with other writers. Here are a few, most of which offer writing classes.

The Writers’ Workshoppe in Port Townsend, WA conducts writing workshops, has a large stock of titles on the art and craft of writing, and maintains extensive resources for teachers. Of Interest to Writers 

For conferences, discover countless world wide in Shaw's Guide. Note that The Writers Connection does not endorse these conferences and highly recommend you research each one

Willamette Writers Conference - Portland, Oregon

Oregon Writer's Colony Non-profit literary organization dedicated to nurturing writing skills of the Oregon writer.

http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/writing-and-communication/ A wealth of learning, classes  and information     Contact Sarah Grace Del Rosario, Community Outreach  http://opencollegesgroup.com.au/

  InformED / Career BlogTwitter, Facebook, Google +, Linkedin

 

                                                                BOOKS

 

·         On Writing by Stephen King         

·         The Elements of Style, by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White. 

·         The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield.

·          

·         Stein on Writing by Sol Stein

          Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass 

 

·         The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler and Michele Montez

·         A New Guide to Better Writingby Ph.D. Rudolf Franz Flesch and A. H. Lass

·         Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School by Gotham Writers' Workshop

·         Writing Movies: The Practical Guide to Creating Stellar Screenplays  by Gotham Writers' Workshop

·         The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Bollingen Series, No. 17) by Joseph Campbell

 

·         The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

·         The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
 

·         Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

·         Writing Well by William Zinsser

·         Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

·          Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on the Writing Life by Anne Lamott

·         The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

·         The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

·         The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writersby John Gardner

ADDITIONAL READING MATERIAL

Poets and Writers Magazine with articles on writing and lists of contests, schools, and residencies.  

New York Times Book Review. Need I say more? 

                                                              

Research awards at The Writers Marketplace, Poets and Writers magazine, and Writers Digest.  Book awards may help a writer’s career, or they may not. In pursuing book awards, weigh the cost of entry with the clout and monetary value of the award. Some awards will bring fame and recognition; others money; others are scams. Examples of how awards may help authors: entrance into writing programs or writing events, better sales, more willingness by bookstores and libraries to carry your book, more invitations to read or present your book. 

PulitzerPrize$50.00 entry fee, five to seven judges for the most distinguished fiction, nonfiction, drama (playwriting), history, poetry, biography, and poetry. $10,000 cash award.

NobelPrizeBased on life time of writing literature that has inspired readers and influenced the world in a positive way. Prize: $1,000,000 in U.S. currency.

PEN/FaulknerAwardForFictionFor authors who have novels, novellas, and short story collections traditionally published. Five submissions are awarded prizes, with first place receiving $15,000 and four runners-up receiving $5,000.

PushcartPrizePushcart Press honors authors of short stories published in small presses and includes them in their world-famous anthology, The Pushcart Prize – Best of the Small Presses. Entries chosen by literary journals, not authors. No entry fees. Since 1976.

TheBestAmericanSeriesFirst published as The Best American Short Stories in 1986. For essays, sports writing, travel writing, nature writing, and more. 

The Kirkus Prize For authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature as well independent authors. Books that earned the Kirkus Star are automatically nominated. Top prize $50,000 for traditionally published fiction. 

Booklife award – For independent authors; grand prize is $5,000 plus author profile in Publishers Weekly.

Allentrants receive a Critic’s Report, a brief critical assessment of their novel written by a Publishers Weekly reviewer.

RITA-Highest award of distinction in the romance industry

Nebula Award Winners and Hugo Award - Fantasy and science fiction

Newbery Medal – Children’s literature

Caldecott-Distinguished children’s picture book

Edgar award; Bramm Stoker - Mystery

Spur award - Western

Goodreads Choice– The only awards chosen by readers.  

 

If you're a reader or writer of Inspirational fiction (mystery, suspense, romance, women's fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, historicals, chick lit, etc.), you've come to the right place! ACFW is an organization geared toward meeting the needs of new and seasoned authors alike, as well as offering a venue for readers of Christian Fiction to learn more about their favorite authors and discover the vast array of choices available from the Christian Fiction market in general.

American Society of Journalists and Authors
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation's leading organization of independent nonfiction writers. Their membership consists of more than 1,000 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA's exacting standards of professional achievement.

The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)
Since 1967, AWP has supported writers & writing programs around the world. They support over 24,000 writers at over 370 member colleges & universities & 125 writers' conferences & centers.

The Authors Guild
Since 1919, the Guild has worked on behalf of its members to lobby for free speech, copyrights and other issues of concern to writers and bring authors the latest news in the publishing industry via the Guild Bulletin. Book authors may join if they have been published by an established American publisher. An author with a contract for a work not yet published may join as an associate member. A contract with a vanity press or any press which requires the author to bear the expense of publication or buy copies of his or her own book does not qualify as a writer for membership in the Guild.

The Children’s Books Council
The Children's Book Council (CBC) is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children's books. It is the official sponsor of Young People's Poetry Week and Children's Book Week each year. The Council's Members include U.S. publishers and packagers of trade books for children and young adults.

The Horror Writers Association (HWA)
The HWA is a worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. HWA was formed in the late 1980s with the help of many of the field's greats, including Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, and Joe Lansdale. Today, with over 1,000 members around the globe, it is the oldest and most respected professional organization for the much-loved writers who bring you the most enjoyable sleepless nights of your life.

International Thriller Writers, Inc.
ITW was founded October 9, 2004, at a meeting at Bouchercon World Mystery and Suspense Conference in Toronto, Canada. Thriller authors created ITW to celebrate the thriller, to enhance the prestige and raise the profile of thrillers, to award prizes to outstanding thriller novels and authors, and to create opportunities for collegiality within the thriller community.

Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America, Inc. is the premier organization for mystery writers and other professionals in the mystery field. MWA watches developments in legislation and tax law, sponsors symposia and mystery conferences, presents the Edgar® Awards, and provides information for mystery writers. Membership in MWA is open to published authors, editors, screenwriters, and other professionals in the field.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts—both new and established—bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. 

The Adirondack Center for Writing(Adirondack, New York)
The Adirondack Center for Writing is an organization that supports Adirondack-based writers. They host numerous workshops, conferences, readings, and other programs to help keep writing alive in northern New York State. The Adirondack Center for Writing also gives writers the opportunity to share their work, and review grant and publishing information.

Aspen Writers' Foundation (Aspen, CO)
Aspen Writers' Foundation is a nonprofit arts organization that has been serving readers and writers since 1976. It provides programs that encourage writers in their craft and readers in their appreciation of good literature, and creates opportunities to bring readers and writers together.

The Attic Writer’s Workshop (Portland, OR)
The Attic is Portland's innovative literary studio. The workshops are small (limited to twelve), supportive, and intensive. Students receive generous attention, geared to their present & future writing. With two large windows overlooking bustling Hawthorne Boulevard, the studio is a place for students to gather in armchairs (surrounded by books) and settle into talking about your writing and the writing process.

Brazos Writers(College Station, TX)
Established in 1987, Brazos Writers provides a forum where writers exchange ideas, learn about the craft, and mentor others. Regular meetings take place the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the P. David Romei Arts Center at Wolf Pen Creek, 2275 Dartmouth Street, College Station, Texas.

California Writers Club (California)
California Writers Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization with fourteen branches across the state. The organization is dedicated to educating writers of all levels of expertise in the craft of writing and in the marketing of their work. This is achieved through monthly branch meetings, workshops, contests, seminars and conferences at the state level and at each of the fourteen branches. Writers of all disciplines are welcome: fiction, nonfiction, prose, poetry, and memoir.

Chicago Writers Association (Chicago, IL)
Founded in 2003, Chicago Writers Association is a creative community of dedicated writers from Chicagoland. CWA members are both professional, published authors and those committed to joining their ranks. They focus their efforts on both necessary aspects of the professional writer: 1. perfecting a writer's craft and 2. getting writers' work out into the stream of commerce.

Chicago North Romance Writers of America(Chicago area)
Chicago-North RWA's mission is to support our members on their writing journey and in their publishing careers. We accomplish this through craft and industry programs, conferences, and manuscript critiques. We hope you will find these offerings valuable in advancing your career and improving your writing skills.

Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association(Connecticut)
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association was established in 1994 to help Connecticut's authors (and aspiring authors) improve their writing skills and increase the visibility and sales of their books and articles by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.

Colorado Springs Fiction Writer's Group (Colorado Springs, CO)
Colorado Springs Fiction Writer's Group aids aspiring and established writers in improving the quality of their craft by offering online research, editing services, monthly articles, publishing fiction works of up-and-coming authors online and a critique group for those in the Pikes Peak, Colorado.

DFW Writers' Workshop (North Texas)
The Workshop meets every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Euless, Texas, in the heart of the DFW Metroplex. We help and encourage North Texas writers of all genres and experience levels to produce professional quality writing suitable for publication. We do this by providing read and critique sessions, educational activities, networking opportunities and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

Detroit Working Writers (Detroit, MI)
Based in Detroit, MI, Detroit Working Writers is a 108-year-old organization of professional, published creative writers from around the country working in numerous genres: novels, poetry, short stories, journalism, non-fiction, plays and more. Their mission is to foster excellence in writing and serve as a creative workshop for member published writers, helping them improve their work, support other writers and continue to excel and publish.

Gemini Ink (San Antonio, TX)
Based in San Antonio, TX, Gemini Ink nurtures writers and readers and builds community through literature and the related arts. They offer writing classes and workshops as well as poetry, fiction, and nonfiction mentoring programs in which established master artists use a low-residency approach to provide intensive one-on-one critique of student work. Their Autograph Series presents free public readings by writers of national or international stature.

Georgia Writers Association (Georgia)
Georgia Writers Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works across the state 501(c)(3) to encourage and strengthen the proficiencies of writers in both the creative and the business aspects of the writing life. They do this through an array of speakers and programs at regular meetings and through workshops, conferences, seminars, retreats, contests and other events; by the formation of Pods, (satellite groups) and other forms of support groups; and by the bi-monthly publication of Georgia Writers News/Mag.

grub street, inc. (Boston, MA)
Located in Boston, MA, grub street, inc. offers high-quality workshops, events and professional development opportunities for writers of all levels, and the chance to be part of a literary community. You can read your latest work at "riot act," their open mike series. Meet editors and agents at their annual "Muse and the Marketplace" conference. Join them to discuss a new book with its author at their "online bookclub forum." Or drop by on a Saturday morning for "coffee and free-wheeling discussions" on topics of interest to readers and writers. At grub street, you'll make connections, meet other writers and, most importantly, get writing. Stay informed about grub events, classes, gossip, and other news with the grub street rag, delivered free twice a month to your email in-box.

Guild Literary Complex (Chicago, IL)
Based in Chicago, Illinois, the goal of the Guild Complex is to reach broad, multi-ethnic audiences with quality arts programming which includes poetry, fiction, art shows, panel discussions, workshops, and literary festivals. The programming, as well as the achievements of their publishing wing, Tia Chucha Press, reflects a deep commitment to cultural and features both established and emerging artists.

Henderson Writers' Group (Henderson, Nevada)
Located in Henderson, NV, The Henderson Writers' Group is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with resources devoted to education, helping writers of all ages develop their craft, and supporting the local writing community by hosting weekly meetings and their annual Las Vegas Writers Conference. Their mission is to provide a networking and critiquing forum for writers of all skill levels. The goal of HWG is to help each and every writer reach the goal they have set for themselves whether or not they belong to our critiquing group, which averages over one hundred members.

Hudson Valley Writer’s Center (Sleepy Hollow, NY)
Located in Sleepy Hollow, New York, The Hudson Valley Writers' Center, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 with a mission to promote the appreciation of literary excellence and to stimulate and nurture the creation of literary works in all sectors of the population. It offers classes for professional and amateur writers, presents public readings by well-known and emerging prose writers and poets, does outreach work in several community sites, and publishes at least one book of poetry each year under the imprint Slapering Hol Press.

Inprint, Inc. (Houston, TX)
Founded in 1983 by a group of community volunteers and writers from the University of Houston Creative Writing Program, Inprint champions creative writing and reading in Houston. Its programs and events play a vital role in Houston's rich cultural life and include a reading series, writer’s workshops and seminars, and a Poets and Writers Ball.

Intersection for the Arts (San Francisco, CA)
Intersection for the Arts is San Francisco's oldest alternative art space and has a long history of presenting new and experimental work in the fields of literature, theater, music and the visual arts and also in nurturing and supporting the Bay Area's cultural community through service, technical support and mentorship programs. Intersection is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2005.

Just Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
Located in Buffalo, New York, Just Buffalo’s longest standing commitment has been to the community of writers who practice the literary arts. They support writers by providing venues in which they can present, discuss, publish, and improve their work. When possible they support writers financially by paying honoraria for readings or by paying them to serve as teaching artists through their Writers in Education program.

Kansas Writers Association(Kansas)
The KWA offers its members a way to network with fellow writers as they sharpen their skills, explore genres, and learn more about the writing industry. Members receive monthly newsletters filled with advice, resources, publishing news, and more. They also offer educational workshops, writing seminars, activities, and contests, and annual seminar.

Literary Arts(Portland, OR)
In 1993, Portland Arts & Lectures merged with the Oregon Institute of Literary Arts and was renamed Literary Arts. The merger brought the Oregon Book Awards (started in 1987) and the Oregon Literary Fellowships (established in 1988) to the organization. To date, these two programs have honored 400 Oregon writers and publishers and have distributed more than $450,000 in fellowships and awards. It has a 19-year history of producing arts programming and of acting as an advocate for Oregon's writers and publishers.

The Loft Literary Center(Minneapolis, MN)
Founded in 1974 in a loft above a Minneapolis bookstore, The Loft is now Minnesota’s largest and most comprehensive literary center, offering programs and services for readers and writers. Take a creative writing class. Attend a special presentation by a favorite Minnesota writer. Enter a writing competition or attend a reading. Writers are invited to become involved in the Loft's unique community and to join others who engage in a reading and writing life.

The Cabin, A Literary Center for Idaho(Boise, Idaho)
The Cabin The Cabin is a center for writing and reading in Idaho. It is a place to engage the art of language, to meet novelists and poets and essayists, to take a class or workshop honing particular skills in the art of writing, a place to find one’s voice.

Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance (Maine)
Founded in 1975, Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance (MWPA) is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to promote the value of literature and the art of writing by building a community of publishers, writers, and readers of all ages within Maine.

Maryland Writers' Group(Maryland)
The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art, business, and craft of writing. MWA offers monthly meetings with guest speakers, writing workshops, an annual writers' conference, and a literary journal. Members include both fiction and nonfiction writers from all over Maryland as well as from D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

MinnesotaArtists.org (Minneapolis, MN)
mnartists.org is an online database of Minnesota artists and organizations from all artistic disciplines. It offers to Minnesota-based artists a central gathering place on the web, and aims to grow to become a marketplace and community hub, allowing the public a new way to explore art and get to know artists.

New Hampshire Writers’ Project (New Hampshire)
The New Hampshire Writers’ Project is a resource for writers, publishers, booksellers, literary agents, educators, librarians, and readers in and near New Hampshire. They support the development of individual writers and encourage an audience for literature in New Hampshire.

New York State Writers Institute (New York State)
The Writers Institute was founded in 1984 by novelist William Kennedy as a center for the literary arts in the state of New York. Today the Writers Institute is one of America's premiere sites for celebrating the art of the written word. Numerous and diverse programs provide the broadest possible educational base for students of writing, access to some of our greatest living authors for serious readers of literature, enthusiastic audiences in excellent venues for visiting writers and important cultural initiatives for the general public. The Institute's central aim is to celebrate literature and to enhance the role of writers as a community within the larger community.

Paragraph: Workspace for Writers (New York City)
Paragraph in New York City is dedicated to providing an affordable and tranquil working environment for writers of all genres. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Paragraph was created by writers for writers, with an understanding that writers work best in a quiet, comfortable space away from the hurry and obligation of urban life.

Richard Hugo House(Seattle, WA)
Located in Seattle, Washington, the mission of Richard Hugo House is to build a vital learning community that develops and sustains practicing writers doing essential work. It is a place that nurtures writers, readers and audiences of books, plays, films, and brings innovative and effective writing education to people of all ages and backgrounds. The Richard Hugo House has five writers/mentors—including one teenager—who serve the community by holding office hours (open to the public by appointment) and by designing and implementing an innovative program to serve the Seattle community.

Small Press Traffic (San Francisco, CA)
Small Press Traffic Literary Arts Center promotes and supports writers from all over the globe--particularly those who push the limits of how we speak and think about the world. Since 1974, SPT has been at the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area innovative writing scenes, bringing together independent readers, writers, and presses through publications, conferences, and our influential reading series.

St. Louis Writers Guild (St. Louis, MO)
Since 1920, the St. Louis Writers Guild supports writers of all genres and levels of experience to further their literary goals. They hold two monthly organization events: a workshop and lecture meeting as well as Open Mike readings at a local coffee shop. Members receive promotional support, including personal features on their website and in their two newsletters, bookselling services, and vast, grassroots publicity throughout Missouri via newspapers, radio, and email. They also provide members with publication opportunities, sponsor contests, and provide a Blog and Discussion Boards for work sharing and networking.

American Independent Writers (Washington, DC)
Located in Washington, D.C, The AIW Freedom to Write Fund (FWF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to protecting the essential benefits to a democratic society that flow from efforts to maintain a thriving community of independent writers. FWF sponsors educational programs and innovative approaches to reporting developments in free expression, access to information, and copyright, as well as to public advocacy on those topics.

Writer’s Center (Bethesda, Maryland)
Located in Bethesda, Maryland, The Writer's Center is a literary crossroads designed to encourage the creation and distribution of contemporary literature. To support these goals, they offer a host of interrelated programs and services including workshops in all genres, a gallery of books and journals, readings and conferences, publications, desktop publishing center, meeting and workspace, and information and communications center.

Writers' League of Texas (Austin, TX)
Formerly called the Austin Writers' League, the Writers' League of Texas has expanded its outreach to service the whole state of Texas. WLT is dedicated to helping writers take their art to the highest level. Writers hoping to find beginning, intermediate or advanced instruction on writing fiction and nonfiction can turn to a number of weekend conferences, as well as informal classes and workshops held throughout the year. These workshops are presented by established authors in the community and from around the state.

Writing Salon (San Francisco, CA)
The Writing Salon, based in San Francisco and Berkeley, offers intimate classes of 6 to 13 students in a warm, informal setting, complete with fresh-brewed coffee, tea and cookies. Their 5 to 9-week courses and one-day workshops, taught by a staff of dedicated, experienced teachers, include classes in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and journalism. If you're a beginning writer, they'll help you to lay the groundwork in basic craft. If you are an intermediate to advanced writer, they'll help you to move up to the next level.


If you represent a regional literary organization and would like to be included on our weblist, please email us truwryter@comcast.net at In order to be include on our weblist, we require that you maintain a website and provide literary events, classes, workshops, readings, seminars, or other supportive community programs to encourage emerging writers in their artistic endeavors. Thanks to updates@agentquery.com.

While we strive for accuracy, we suggest you check details before attending events listed on The Writers Connection. Changes often occur without notice. All rights reserved  

Copyright E.C. Murray The Writers' Connection  2016-2020