Are you a writer based in Toronto? Are you thinking about joining a writing group? Check out our list of 10 top writing groups in Toronto below.
1. The Junction Writers
The Junction Writers is a writing group located in York Region in Toronto. Led by co-organizer Andrew and Brian, The Junction Writers now has over 900 active members from all kinds of backgrounds and writing experience. Meetings happen every other week on Monday evenings.
While formerly meeting in person at Annette Street Library, but recently, The Junction Writers meetings are held online. Writing meetings revolve around one of the group members presenting their writing to the rest of the group, followed by a time of critique and feedback. For specific information about The Junction Writers, including the Zoom link for its next meeting, email The Junction Writers directly.
Connect with The Junction Writers!
2. Toronto Writers
Based in Toronto, Toronto Writers is a writing group that welcomes writers of all backgrounds and skill levels to join them for regular writing meetings. Toronto Writers is hosted by Sam Hiyate, a literary agent, who looks forward to supporting writers no matter where they are in their writing journey.
Toronto Writers meetings range from presentations from guest speakers such as professional authors, editors or other literary agents to writing challenges, panel discussions and critiquing some of the writing of fellow group members. Meetings occur once a month on the second Wednesday online, with login information available to participants after they have RSVP’d their attendance.
Take a look at Toronto Writers.
3. Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon
Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon is a writing group led by group organizer Lilian Wong and based in Toronto. Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon aims to support individuals who are involved in writing books, both fiction and non-fiction, scripts or poetry. Group meetings take place online multiple times a week, with specific information available on Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon’s Meetup.com webpage.
Writing meetings at Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon comes in different formats. Roundtable meetings allow writers to discuss the issues or progress they’re having with their current project. Three Rounds of Writing is a meeting type more focused on actively writing. Lastly, Public Readings allow writers to read a completed draft of their work-in-progress in public to a supportive group of peers and writing group members.
Contact Final Draft: a Writers’ Salon.
4. Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers
Located in Toronto, Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers is a writing group that provides a helpful community for writers dedicated to science fiction and fantasy genres. Today, over 1,000 active members participate in Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ regular writing meetings.
In addition to their in-person writing meetings, Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers members connect online through the platform Discord. Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers also hosts special events for group members, including parties for events like Halloween and book launch parties.
Check out Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers.
5. Shut Up & Write! Toronto
Shut Up & Write! is a writing group with chapters across the United States and Canada, including one in the city of Toronto. Meetings happen once a week on Saturday afternoon, where writers get an opportunity to socialize and network with some of the 1,000+ active members that make up Shut Up & Write! Toronto.
Shut Up & Write! Toronto meetings allow writers to have focused time to work on their manuscripts in silence alongside other writers doing the same thing at Shut Up & Write! Toronto’s in-person meetings, usually held at their regular location at 5 Elements Coffee Shop.
Find out more about Shut Up & Write! Toronto.
6. East End Writers
Situated in Toronto, East End Writers is a writing group led by writer and editor Sharon A. Crawford. Founded in 2000, East End Writers welcomes all local writers who might benefit from joining a community of like-minded peers, including fiction and non-fiction writers, as well as writers working on screenplays and even song lyrics.
Writing meetings take place in person and online, usually at their regular location in S. Walter Stewart Library or on Zoom. Meetings happen every two weeks on Wednesday evenings and include discussions on writing techniques, read their work-in-progress to other members to receive constructive criticism and feedback, and socialize about their writing and other events.
Learn more about East End Writers.
7. Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups
Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups are a number of writing groups hosted by the Toronto Public Library, the central network of public libraries in the city of Toronto. There are writing groups available for writers of all skill levels and age groups, from children to adults.
Most Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups meet in person at a branch of the Toronto Public Library. Creative Writing Workshop is a Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups that meets on Tuesday evenings every week at Evelyn Gregory Library and welcomes adult writers in the area to join. Another Toronto Public Library Writers’ Group is Write Away, a writing group for teenagers around Eatonville Library who are interested in writing. The Joy of Writing, located at Queen and Saulter, and Writer’s Group of Leaside, supporting writers in the Leaside area of Toronto are two more of the many writing groups that make up the Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups.
Discover more about Toronto Public Library Writers’ Groups!
8. OUTwrites
Serving writers that identify as LGBTQ2S, OUTwrites is a writing group in Toronto that is hosted by The 519, an open and accepting space for communities to get together, express themselves and be able to find community without judgment. Creative writers in particular, including fiction authors and poets, will get a lot of participating in this writing group.
OUTwrites writing meetings happen every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 519 Church Street Community Center. Participants have an opportunity to learn more about writing techniques and also get feedback from other group members on their work-in-progress.
For more information about OUTwrites, check out their website.
9. Toronto Speculative Fiction Writer’s Group
Toronto Speculative Fiction Writer’s Group is a writing group that supports Toronto-based writers who are interested in speculative fiction. Writers passionate about urban fantasy, fantasy, horror, science fiction and other genres that fall within speculative fiction are welcome to join. Currently, the membership list of Toronto Speculative Fiction Writer’s Group is full but interested writing group participants are encouraged to contact the group about being put on the waiting list.
Writing meetings take place two times a month, usually in person at a writing group member’s home. Toronto Speculative Fiction Writer’s Group meetings include writing critique socialization and discussion about different books and the state of the publishing industry.
Speak to Toronto Speculative Fiction Writer’s Group for more details.
10. Toronto Romance Writers
Toronto is home to Toronto Romance Writers, a writing group for romance writers in the city and surrounding areas. The writing group holds monthly meetings on the second Saturday of each month that cover relevant topics such as social media marketing for books and creating believable characters.
Participants can benefit from networking with other romance writers, learning more about the writing craft and the publishing industry, and receiving constructive criticism and feedback from other romance writers. The annual membership fee is $60 Canadian for any writers interested in joining.
Plan a visit to Toronto Romance Writers.