We hope to critique each other's drafts of all sorts in a mutually supportive and awesome environment. This group is invite-only to ensure that we stay tiny (hence the name). We meet about twice a month and share drafts to read a few days in advance. We're into all sorts of writing styles, from humorous to serious to abstract. Many of us are sex-positive feminists; if you're not down with that please don't apply.

KidzHelp Digital Writing Project: Writing with a purpose Kids creating digital stories for seniors! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Are you interested in joining our digital writing for kids and seniors volunteer project right here in Streamwood / Elgin? (Run by Jessica, Braden and Bridgette Nicholson) Most kids love using technology and multimedia. Used wisely, digital writing can help kids improve their writing and help them create writing that …

Anyone willing to give a thoughtful, honest, yet respectful, critique is welcome.  Many topics, genres and forms are welcome (Ex. chapter of a novel, short story, play, poem, article, essay, etc.).  While publishing is a worthy goal, the focus of this group is helping writers fine tune works, which either have literary value or are otherwise substantive (i.e. scholarly).  All such works are welcome. Those concerned with poverty, and / or human and animal rights and welfare, and similar issues (i …

You've seen the ladies of SNL do it. You've seen Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham do it. Now, with the support of your fellow Chicago commediennes, you can do it too! Share sketch ideas, read a script you've been working on, or meet the other half of your comedy writing dream team. Essay, fiction, and web writers welcome. Even if you don't have any material to test out on this friendly female audience (yet), you'll get inspired just hanging out with some fellow Chicago funny ladies. Join the discuss …

You are not alone.  You are a part of a multitude of free thinkers, purveyors of the eccentric, odd and out of sorts.  You are bohemian, you are insufferable, you are difficult, you are creative... and you are meticulous.  You my friend, you are a writer.  You were born this way.  You were observing, criticizing, organizing, partitioning, petitioning, complimenting, hiding for years and no one saw it and you didn't see it.  But there you were, writing in some notebook at 2 in the morning laughin …

Meet with writers and poets who are motivated to publish their own work or who just enjoy writing for themselves. Share your own work and listen to others. Meet with local authors who can share their experiences with being published. Gain some valuable feedback of your work. Make some new friends who might help to inspire you to accomplish your goals and keep you writing on.

Hello and welcome to Critique This, a Meetup group for serious writers with serious goals. If you're looking for encouragement, direction, interesting discussions and writing support, you've found it! When a writers' group really works, it can be the highlight of your week. I belonged to another writers' group for five years. Having others read and critique my work has contributed more to my growth as an author than any class or workshop. Reading and critiquing others' work, and the camaraderie …

Meeting to discuss our own poetry. Working out chinks in the armor, making improvements, listening for sounds, searching for themes and generally becoming more self-aware as a writer, as well as learning to become better self-critics. And of course a good place to chat with other poets and find community, and lay it on thick with pet peeves regarding the state of poetry. We would also go to occasional readings and maybe if everyone is up to it to an Open Mic as well. We will begin by meeting o …

I'm a 27 year-old New York transplant (born here, nice to be back) looking for some cool comrades of any age to share/workshop with in a relaxed setting (my apt. has killer views!) with the record player turning and the libations flowing. I'm a published poet working on my second chapbook and I'm heavily influenced by Patti Smith, old-school punk rock, the beauty in the gritty and vinyls. If you like that kind of stuff--awesome. If not--awesome. I'd also like to do a poetry "book club," where we …

- Chicago Copywriters Connect - Whether you're a freelance copywriter or part of a creative agency, the Chicago Online Copywriting and Content Marketing Meetup is open to professionals - at all levels - who wish to network to enhance their overall copywriting writing skills and share with others. Some topics we have discussed include: Copywriting Case Studies Working as a freelance copywriter Print copywriting Time Management Writing Copy for video and other digital mediums This group was cre …

Adventures for intelligent foodies. Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out in great restaurants and immersing yourself in fascinating new cultures and cuisines, Litereati is for you! Whether you're a professional chef, a food blogger or just someone who enjoys gourmet reading and good food shared with friends, you're welcome here at Litereati. We get together for lively, delicious din …

Hey you sassy, creative, dynamic Chicago woman! Yeah, you. This group is a place for you to share, develop, test, express your ideas, projects and creativity. A group who will support you in your daring efforts big and small. A forum for feedback, ideas and inspiration. Maybe you write, sing, dance, act, make films, bake cakes, teach workshops, paint, sculpt, take photos, knit, build things, design, volunteer for amazing organizations... whatever the format you use your wild feminine energy to …

This is a group for anyone working in the independent film industry currently or writing an independent film script. This will be a group where people will gather to network, share ideas and resources.. with people either producing, directing, acting, or funding the films.. This includes international film industry as well..

Chicago has a vibrant indie filmmaking scene. If you're part of it, we invite you to tap into the Filmmakers in Action network to find likeminded filmmakers and screenwriters developing their craft and building their portfolio/reels. Whether you want to produce your own short (or feature) film or get experience on someone else's, you'll find plenty of opportunities in this MeetUp group. MONTHLY MEETUPS Pencil in the 2nd Tuesday of each month and make a point to join us for our monthly presenta …

We are about inspiring, empowering, and helping screenwriters and filmmakers reach their goals and be more successful. We're on a mission to bring more production, from start to finish, to Chicago. We're expanding to connect to funding opportunities in Chicago and around the world. We've opened this group up to screenwriters, writers, directors, producers, filmmakers, and funding resources. Please be part of it. Reach out and make this a community to help each other.

The Chicago Tao Cultivators seeks to explore the ironic, absurb and penetratingly insightful gentle "way" of wisdom - and hopefully in the process reach the end of logic and enjoy a really good laugh. Taoism can signify an unknowable and emphemeral cosmology - the "Void" - out of which every experience and being is born. But it can also reflect the smaller notion of understanding one's own nature as captured by the concept of "the uncarved block." Seemingly both simple and enigmatic, the writing …

Shalom! We intend to be a fellowship of Messianic believers, for both ethnic Jews and Gentiles. We have no definite plans made for the group yet, but we are considering social events, moedim (YHWH's holiday feast) memorial celebrations, and Scripture studies. We believe in Yehoshua Ha'Maschia ("Jesus the Messiah") and His Father YHWH, and we believe we are to love Them by following Them wholeheartedly with our trust, repentance, and obedience in all aspects of our lives. We encourage serious Tor …

Writers space, individual studio spaces with Internet access , writers and creatives in a collaborative space, On the new Bloomingdale bike trail at Kimball. Auto parking lot and bike racks. This is new so I'm looking for input.

Founded in 1995 by Ed Bernero (Criminal Minds, Third Watch) through messages posted online, then subsequently organized in the flesh by Christiana Miller (General Hospital), CSN has since grown at almost a geometric rate, with now over five hundred members. Today, CSN is an invaluable resource to Chicago area screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors. We provide assistance in the creation of works for film, television, video, and web, plus help individuals present their work to …

Under Construction (but join!) (Note that this page as well as some outgoing links are NSFW.) This group is for people who have an intuition of something better, and who are pursuing it in every direction simultaneously. You have a sense of rightness and wrongness that cuts to the bone, and it doesn't line up with traditional religion or the zeitgeist. You're an information sponge, but you hold it all provisionally and pragmatically. You know that all truths are partial perspectives, i.e. wrong …

This is group for anyone interested in screenwriting and movies. Newbies, experienced writers and everyone in between are welcome. We will meet to discuss projects we're working on and to check out and discuss movies.

CWN is a group of serious writers who are committed to furthering their work through a workshop-style critique process. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please be sure to read CWN's Critique Guidelines under the Pages tab before you submit your first piece for critique.

This is a chance for artists of all sorts in the West Suburbs of Chicago -- whether your medium is expressed visually, verbally, sonically, or some combination -- to cross-pollinate, gather ideas and energy, and find inspiration, consolation and encouragement. The hope is to gather regularly as a group, creating opportunities to organize smaller klatches, as well as opportunities to find like spirit and lasting artistic relationships. We may even be able to organize readings, performances and sh …

This group was created to bring together the various software development groups in Chicago. Going to other communities has been very rewarding in the past, and now let us drop all the boundaries between communities. What can we talk about? Positivember writing good code writing bad code duct tape programming client challenges co-worker challenges sdlc patterns trolls, and what they mean to you. motivating/encouraging news discouraging/unmotivating news tools & tech gadgets

The Chicago area chapter of ACFW - The American Christian Fiction Writers gathers published and aspiring fiction writers of faith in a variety of genres. We currently meet the first Friday of every month. Interested writers may attend meetings twice as a guest before formalizing their membership in the national organization and local chapter. For more information about the national organization, visit http://www.acfw.com/

Join us at City Lit Books where we regularly host events and discussions with local authors. Have an idea for an event? Let us know!

A group of writers, whether published or not, who support all kinds of heroes including the brave members of our armed forces to those on the front lines in hospitals, fire stations, police departments, schools, and so much more. Our support ranges from donating books, supporting literacy efforts, and helping those who face danger and difficult challenges to explore their experiences through the power of telling their story.

Join us at the Chicago Self-Publishing Meetup Group as we explore the dynamic world of self-publishing and indie publishing. We meet every month and we welcome anyone interested in learning about self-publishing: self-published authors who want to learn more or share their experiences writers looking for information on how to self-publish professionals who are not writers but want to publish material related to their work book designers, graphic designers, and ebook formatters publishing indust …