Formal and informal writing groups have been around for hundreds of years. Hybrid authors clubs are newer, rising in the 2000s and are becoming a staple of how authors connect with professionals and readers today.

“Hybrid” writing groups exist IRL (or in real life), but also connect with other communities online – often internationally.

Find Your Group

There’s an appropriate writing group for every interest, experience level, and niche. Define what you hope to get from a group, and then analyze what you can give back in return. Hybrid groups sometimes meet in person, but also welcome online members. I barely leave the house, but I connect daily with my writing groups and message boards.

I’d put writing groups in two columns: formal and informal.

Mystery Writers of America (MWA), the South African Writers Network (SAWN), and the Horror Writers Association (HWA) are formal; they require membership, but offer formal benefits like insider industry information.

Informal groups like the Self Publishing Support Group (Facebook) are useful for: advertising, critique, finding readers, and talking grammar or plots. Facebook, Reddit, and TikTok connect to the best, lively writing groups.

This Reddit discusses reputable /r/WritingGroups, and this Write Life Guide lists active Facebook-run writing groups. I wrote a short guide for Writers Write about TikTok Tips For Writers.

Discuss Writing: Yours and Others

Writing groups are also for discussions/critiques about writing.

The Mystery Writers of America Facebook has lively Zoom-discussions and critique. Spectrum Writers, for London Science-Fiction and Fantasy Writers, meets online to discuss everything from grammar to plotting.

Area specific writing groups often welcome online membership from others – like Macon Writes (Central Georgia). The South Carolina Writers Association has chapter groups all over the state where they predominantly critique each other’s work.

Discord has The Writing Hub, where members meet up for game nights and writing discussions. There’s also The Writers’ Factory, Writing Central, and Writers’ Craft.

Advertise to Authors and Others

Formal and informal writing groups are a wonderful place to advertise promotions, websites, new books, and your mailing list. Groups can be specific about allowing ads and usually have membership rules.

Formal groups are more likely to charge. Some examples are Writers Write, Poets & Writers, and the UK Poetry Society. Informal groups might charge a small fee, or only allow advertisements on certain days.

There are Facebook (Writers Promoting Writers) and Reddit groups (/r/WritingGroups) that will allow advertising, but also smaller ones with strict rules against it.

Look for its rules in “pinned posts” or social media post descriptions.

Give (and Get) Advice on Anything

Writing groups are great places for authors to give and get advice. Groups are diverse, and you’ll often find great technical advice. I’ve found article sources and real-life know-how here.

I’ve asked authors their opinion about my website redesign. I’ve also found answers to formatting and industry questions. Members are diverse, from publishing veterans to romance boffins, which can be good in terms of research or can be less appealing in terms of critiques, depending upon the balance of talent.

Absolute Write forums, Nottingham Writers Club, and Self Publishing Support Group are particularly useful. Away from Facebook, there’s also Reddit: /r/PubTips and /r/publishing.

Learn from Other Writers

There’s also more formal advice, like lessons and online writers’ meetings.

Hybrid writing groups are filled with unique skills. Technologies like Zoom broaden their reach and your opportunity to “sit in” for meetings or masterclasses.

Sunday Writers Club meets in Vienna, but you can also join online at €5 per session. London Writers Club is one of the world’s oldest formal groups, where you can book sessions with a literary agent. Savvy Authors and Sisters in Crime give classes in specific topics.

Writing Groups: Future Readers Too

I learned the real value of people and writing groups when I received a kind email from a FundsforWriters reader. The message said, “We have a small group of writers who share every month. I’d like to share your feature piece ‘AI and Copywriting’ with my local writing group.”

I became a more regular sight in writing groups after that. When they share something, I’ll read it – and when I’ve published something, I’ll share in turn. Writing communities can quickly become part of your readership and often some of your biggest cheerleaders.

About the Author: Alex J. Coyne is a journalist, author and proofreader. He has written for a variety of publications and websites, with a radar calibrated for gothic, gonzo and the weird. Sometimes, he co-writes with others.