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 …

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 …

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 …

This meetup is for anyone who cares about digital content--editors, content strategists, writers, content managers, translators, communicators, and information architects, to name a few.

We believe in the whole writing process, not just the finished product. We see writing as a tool for emotional well-being, self-discovery, self-expression and inspiration. We focus on how writing can be used for emotional well-being and how to launch a successful career as a writer. Whether you love to journal or want to take your writing to the next level, this writing circle is for you. Begin your writing journey today and join now.

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Unknown “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost --------------------------------------- Do you love Hiking and Adventures? Welcome to the Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group. We strive for adventures, fun, and friendships. This group is for people who en …

First and foremost: We are not a critique group. We are not a workshop group. We are a group of writers who get together to...just write. This is a group that meets to WRITE, to socialize, and to offer encouragement and inspiration to others as we practice our craft. We're focused on the process, not the product.  Writing can be a solitary activity...but it doesn't have to be. This is a group where the focus is actually on DOING the work as opposed to critiquing already finished works. I found s …

The worlds of hackers and journalists are coming together as reporting goes digital and Internet companies become media empires. Journalists call themselves "hacks," someone who can churn out words in any situation. Hackers use the digital equivalent of duct tape to whip out code. Hacker-journalists try and bridge the two worlds. This group is to bring all these people together -- those who are working to help people make sense of their world. It's for hackers exploring technologies to filter an …

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

What would happen if you took a culinary club full of fun foodies and added gourmet reading and travel? Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out, reviewing 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 good food and good books shared with friends, you' …

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.

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 …

For a limited time, Join the Chicago Email Marketing Meetup Group for free! This group is focused on email marketing and building an online following through email list creation and website integration. We'll look at best practices for writing email copy and how to build a huge email list. Please join if you're interested in getting started with email marketing for your business or you're interested in selling email marketing to your clients. This group is all about collaboration and building up …

- 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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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..

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 …

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 people who are working on writing a novel, short story, and poem. We'll get together once a week at different locations in Chicago, depending on what's most convenient and give each other constructive criticism and ideas on our literary pieces. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

This is the social hotbed of 826CHI volunteer greatness. Meet, whisper, write in code, give digital high-fives, throw out questions, propose gatherings, and most of all pal up in support of 826CHI's mission to inspire kids in Chicago to write. Onwards, agents!

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Calling all inspired memoir writers who need a community of writers to put their inspiration into action. Procrastination can be our enemy. Often we need deadlines to kick us into gear to put the pen to paper. All levels are welcome from novice memoirists to published authors. The only requirement is to actually turn in work and respectfully comment on each other's manuscripts.

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.