Whether you write as a hobby or have loftier goals, you don't have to do it alone. Joining a writing group is a great opportunity to meet other writers, hone your craft and find a mentor.

The groups listed here are a sampling of what the Canadian literary community has to offer. Are you part of a writing group that is open to new members and want to be on our list? Email us at cbcbooks@cbc.ca.

Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art
What: An inclusive set of programs and writers' workshops
Where: Vancouver, B.C.
Who: Writers of all ages

Comox Valley Writers Society
What: Supports writers in the development of their craft. General meetings monthly, small writing critique groups, monthly Prose and Poetry at the Courtenay Library, annual community outreach literary event – the North Island Writers Conference.
Where: Courtenay, BC
Who: Writers of all ages

Kelowna Writers' Group
What: Writers meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Kelowna library.
Where: Kelowna, B.C.
Who: Writers of all genres

Kelowna Word Guild
What: Monthly meetings to provide support to writers who are Christians through workshops, critique circles, skill building exercises and other areas of need. Also host events to showcase the writers, regional one day conferences, and writer retreats.
Where: Kelowna, B.C.
Who: Christian writers

New West Writers
What: Writing critique group
Where: New Westminster, B.C.
Who: Writers of all genres

Sooke Writers' Collective
What: A writers group offering support, feedback, an annual anthology, workshops and mini-retreats.
Where: Sooke, B.C.
Who: Writers of all levels and genres

Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society
What: An inclusive group of writers and editors that meets monthly and has community-minded projects.
Where: A combination of Zoom and various venues on Sunshine Coast, B.C.
Who: Writers and editors of all levels of experience, ethnicities and is inclusive of the LGBTQ2 community

Surrey Libraries writing groups
What: Writing groups for adults and teens
Where: Surrey, B.C.
Who: General public

Vernon Critique Group
What: A group of fiction writers offering critique and feedback on each other's work on the third Saturday of each month.
Where: Vernon, B.C.
Who: Fiction writers

Victoria Writers' Society
What: Participate in small, informal groups where writers present their works in progress and receive critical feedback. There are currently groups focused on short stories, novels, general fiction and creative nonfiction.
Where: Victoria, B.C.
Who: Members of the Victoria Writers' Society

British Columbia Association of Travel Writers
What: A group for B.C. travel journalists and writers
Where: British Columbia
Who: Meetups are open to the public

The Grind Writers' Group
What: Writers of all levels and genres
Where: Vancouver, B.C.
Who: General public

Heart & Mind Writing Group
What: Writers of all levels and genres
Where: Sicamous, B.C.
Who: General public

Alexandra Writers' Centre Society
What: Community of emerging writers of all ages
Where: Calgary, Alta.
Who: General public

Edmonton Writers' Group
What: Informal group of aspiring and published writers
Where: Edmonton, Alta.
Who: General public

Imaginative Fiction Writers Association
What: Critique of written work, marketing advice, writing games and exercises
Where: Calgary, Alta.
Who: Members of the Imaginative Fiction Writer's Association

Parkland Poets
What: Community of poets who share their work
Where: Stony Plain, Alta.
Who: General public

Strathcona County Writers
What: Writers of all levels and genres
Where: Strathcona County, Alta.
Who: General public

Saskatchewan Writers Guild
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Saskatchewan
Who: Members

Brandon Writers' Collective
What: Writing group for all genres
Where: Brandon, Man.
Who: General public

Interlake Writers Guild
What: Writing group for all genres
Where: Selkirk, Man.
Who: General public

Manitoba Writers' Guild
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Manitoba
Who: Workshops are open to both members and the general public

Immigrant Writers Association (IWA)
What: Programs, activities, and services that empower and support immigrant writers in their journeys. Our mission is to encourage immigrants to express themselves through writing.
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: Canadian immigrant writers

InkWell Workshops
What: Drop-in creative writing workshops
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: Adults with mental health and addictions issues

Firefly Creative Writing
What: Writing workshops, coaching and retreats
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: General public

KW Writer's Alliance
What: Organization helping to connect and develop writers of all genres
Where: Waterloo, Ont.
Who: General public

London Writers Society
What: Organization helping to connect and develop writers of all genres
Where: London, Ont.
Who: General public

Memoirs Writing Group
What: Group discussions to help writers develop their writing voice with feedback to assist with the editing process
Where: Brampton, Ont.
Who: Adult writers

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW)
What: A gathering place for people with a passion to weave fiction and non-fiction stories, write poetry and plays and string words together in a variety of other formats.
Where: Ottawa, Ont.
Who: Adult writers

OUTwrites Queer Writing Collective
What: queer-positive, sexually diverse group for all levels
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: General public

Sudbury Writers' Guild
What: Community-based writing group for all levels and genres
Where: Sudbury, Ont.
Who: General public

Toronto Public Library
What: Various groups and workshops focused on a variety of genres, including memoir, fiction and poetry.
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: General public

Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers
What: Group group for science fiction and fantasy writers
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: General public

Toronto Writers Collective
What: Free writing workshops for underserved communities
Where: Toronto, Ont.
Who: Adult writers

Writers' Community of Durham Region
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Durham region
Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

Writer's Community of York Region
What: A collective of local authors, poets and industry professionals who endeavour to build a supportive and encouraging framework for writers and their craft.
Where: All communities and localities within York Region.
Who: WCYR members and registered members of the general public.

Shut-up & Write/Tais-toi et écris Montréal
What: Community of writers who share their work, in any genre.
Where: Montreal, Que.
Who: General public

Quebec Writers' Federation
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Montreal, Que.
Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

Writers' Federation of New Brunswick
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: New Brunswick
Who: Members

PEI Writers' Guild
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: P.E.I.
Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

Evergreen Writers Group
What: Creative writing group comprised of poets, short story writers, novelists, and playwrights
Where: Dartmouth, N.S.
Who: General public

Word Nerds Teen Writing Group
What: Teen-oriented writing group
Where: Colchester-East Hants, N.S.
Who: Teen writers

Halifax Public Library Writers' Circle
What: Weekly meetings for support and inspiration at various library branches
Where: Bedford, N.S.
​Who: Adult writers

Yarmouth Write Away Group
What: Monthly writing group that welcomes all genres.
Where: Yarmouth, N.S.
Who: General public

Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Nova Scotia
Who: Members

Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland & Labrador
What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres
Where: Newfoundland & Labrador
Who: Members