Joining a writing group can be a wonderful way to develop your writing skills and get feedback on your work from your peers in a supportive way. In this post, we’ve featured 10 top writing groups in Florida.
1. Tampa Writers Alliance
Tampa Writers Alliance is a writing group led by group organizer Jim Genia, who has been a part of Tampa Writers Alliance since 2014. Today, over 2,000 professional and amateur writers local to Tampa, Florida, are actively involved at Tampa Writers Alliance and participate in regular meetings, parties and programs.
Tampa Writers Alliance offers a number of different services and advantages to writers. The group holds different member parties throughout the year, allowing writers to get together, build relationships and establish new friendships. Tampa Writers Alliance’s general meetings focus on teaching writing skills, while the group’s monthly critique group is a forum that provides writers with an opportunity to get constructive feedback from other members. Tampa Writers Alliance also hosts a Poetry Group that meets monthly and focuses on writing poetry.
Connect with Tampa Writers Alliance.
2. Sisters in Crime (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter)
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Sisters in Crime (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter) is the local chapter of the nationwide writing group Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime has over 70 chapters across the United States and Canada and welcomes women writers who are focused on crime fiction.
Members of Sisters in Crime (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter) can enjoy online monthly meetings on the first Saturday of the month. Sisters in Crime (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter) also offers participants the opportunity to participate in community events such as book festivals and workshops, build relationships with other members and establish critique partnerships and groups.
Take a look at what else Sisters in Crime (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter) is up to!
3. Daytona Area Fiction Writers
Daytona Area Fiction Writers is a writing group that supports writers in Daytona Beach, Florida. Co-organizers Elle Andrews Patt and Veronica Helen Hart have been part of Daytona Area Fiction Writers, a writing group in Florida that was been a part of the area for decades.
All fiction writers of all experience levels and backgrounds are welcome to Daytona Area Fiction Writers. Daytona Area Fiction Writers is a group that specifically aims to support writers who are working towards publication, but writers who are interested in joining solely to improve their craft are also welcome. Meetings take place weekly on Tuesday evenings, usually at Stonewoods on LPGA Boulevard.
Speak to Daytona Area Fiction Writers.
4. Tampa Ybor Free Group
Situated in Ybor City in Tampa, Florida, Tampa Ybor Free Group is a writing group that welcomes local writers looking for a supportive community to join. From college students with a passion for writing to adult professionals and writing enthusiasts, Tampa Ybor Free Group aims to be a place where writers can find support among others like them.
Writing meetings usually take place at Hot Wax Coffee Shop in Ybor, Tampa, every other Thursday evening. Participants are encouraged to bring whatever writing project they are working on to writing group meetings at Tampa Ybor Free Group alongside other writers.
Discover more about Tampa Ybor Free Group!
5. Writers 4 All Seasons Tampa Bay
Writers 4 All Seasons Tampa Bay is a writing group that welcomes local writers in Tampa, Florida. With over 150 active group members to date, Writers 4 All Seasons Tampa Bay continues to look for ways to be a supportive writing group for adult writers working on anything from poetry or fiction to non-fiction writing.
Writers 4 All Seasons Tampa Bay meetings happen every other week on Sunday afternoons. Meetings are held online and are free of cost to attend. Meetings consist of open readings by writers who are interested in sharing some of their work with the group, followed by constructive criticism by fellow members.
Contact Writers 4 All Seasons Tampa Bay!
6. We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing Group
Located in Tampa, Florida, We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing Group is a writing group that aims to be a support for Black people and women of color who are writers. Currently, We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing Group consist of over 450+ members of passionate writers and teachers who look to use their writing to empower others and communicate truths about their life experience.
Writing group meetings take place every first Monday and third Thursday of every month. Each session allows writers to get in 2.5 hours of writing time. Interested participants are encouraged to check We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing Group’s schedule and register themselves for a future writing session.
Learn more about We Write Here Black and Women of Color Writing Group.
7. Wordier Than Thou Meetup for Writers and Book Lovers
Wordier Than Thou Meetup for Writers and Book Lovers is a writing group for local writers in St. Petersburg, Florida. The writing group provides motivation and support for writers by introducing participating authors to different authors, hosting workshops and offering the opportunity for storytelling and fiction open mic events.
Writing meetings happen every two weeks. Past events have included open mic events with authors like Wendy Dalrymple or Joshua Ginsberg, and different writing events like Wordier’s 1K Walk and Write. Interested participants can look forward to connecting with Wordier Than Thou Meetup for Writers and Book Lovers’s 2,300+ active members for accountability and a support community.
Check out more about Wordier Than Thou Meetup for Writers and Book Lovers.
8. Writer’s Group Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida is home to Writer’s Group Gainesville, a writing group dedicated to the support of fiction writers, including novels and short stories. Writing meetings happen once a month and welcome all interested writers and writing enthusiasts in the local area.
Every writing meeting at Writer’s Group Gainesville includes sharing work-in-progress with other writers and getting constructive criticism and motivation to continue writing. No matter what stage of writing you might be at, writers in and around Gainesville have something to gain from participating in Writer’s Group Gainesville meetings.
For more information about Writer’s Group Gainesville, check out their Meetup.com webpage.
9. Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts
Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts is a writing group welcoming writers from all backgrounds and skill levels in Maitland, Florida. The writing group has welcomed writers working on fiction and non-fiction books, short stories, blogs, journals, or even poetry.
Writing meetings happen once a week on Wednesday evenings. Events include special presentations by writers like Jennifer Worley and Jo-Ann Yeoh and writing sessions introducing different writing techniques and giving time for participants to practice them together during writing group meetings.
Find out if Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts is able to support you!
10. Sarasota Fiction Masters
Serving writers in Sarasota, Florida, Sarasota Fiction Masters is a writing group hosted by group organizer Karen Thomas. This writing group welcomes writers who focus on all genres of fiction writing. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome but because of the adult nature of some of the members’ writing, Sarasota Fiction Masters recommends that all members be over the age of 21.
Writing group meetings happen in person once a week at different local locations, including Gulf Gate Public Library. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their writing (as well as copies for other members to read along) and will be given constructive criticism and feedback to help them continue their writing.
Plan a visit to Sarasota Fiction Masters!