About TheWGroup

Photo stand-in says: When you have questions and things seem unclear, it can be nice to call out and have someone answer back with what you need.

We all have in common a love of writing and a desire to further our career and learn the latest as the world rapidly changes. Given the Covid situation, we have moved our meetings online.

Here’s what we offer writers and aspiring writers:

Panels & Seminars for writers and publishers

Writers have questions about:

Agents
Social networking
Blogs
Marketing
Editing
Design
Fiction writing
Nonfiction writing
Magazines
Publishing
How do I promote my work?

… to name a few!

“Quick note to say thank you for something and something else with great words.” – A Member, author of A Book and Another Book.

Ten months of the year, as long as nothing comes up to prevent us, TheWGroup presents a writing-related seminar and a writing-related panel discussion. We vary the topics and speakers, finding answers for all these questions. We have parties in August and December to round out the twelve months.

Our lively panels cover a variety of writing genres, from ghostwriting to mysteries, magazine articles, comedy, screenwriting, and more. Some panels focus on topics like social media or marketing, subjects of vital interest to all writers.

As a rule, our panels are on the 5th Someday of each month although this may change once in a while. Members attend these panels for free.

Our seminars are tailored for smaller audiences so there’s more workshopping of the fine points of writing: creating characters and dialogue, doing research, etc. Seminars tackle marketing and technical issues as well, like using Twitter or teaching writers how to speak and read before a live audience. These seminars or workshops feature comprehensive, often interactive, presentations.

As a rule, TheWGroup seminars for writers are held on the 6th Whatever of each month, although this may change at times.

At times we substitute our on-location Seminar or Panel for an online event. Since 2016 we have also held a special-priced all-day Intensive rather than our usual seminar. Members receive a substantial discount for the seminars.

Panels:
TheWGroup members attend for free!
Non-members pay $150

Seminars:
TheWGroup members attend for just $150
Non-members pay $350

Satellite Sessions

TheWGroup Satellites meet in restaurants, bookstores, and other venues. You don’t have to be a member to drop by and mix with other writers in your area!

Satellite meetings bring writers together to ask questions, share work, and vent. Some groups invite guest speakers. Our Satellites are informal and social. They give writers the chance to network and find support. Ideas can be sparked and partnerships formed. Writing can be a lonely art, so meeting others in the field is invaluable.

Social Events/Parties

Twice a year — in summermonth and in wintermonth— we have a party open to members and guests. We often hold the parties at unusual or historic venues.

Readings

Twice a year we host a TheWGroup Public Reading — an opportunity for members to read their own work. These events are open to the public and are advertised by the bookseller as well as publicized by us. You must be a member to read but attendance is free for anyone who wants to enjoy the impressive creativity.

The TheWGroup Reading is also a wonderful way to support your fellow [people of this craft].

Member-only Special Events

From time to time we hold members-only get-togethers. For example, we had a special evening with one of our long-time members who was moving out of state. We handed Marvin Wolf the microphone and listened as he told his wonderful stories: the bicycle tale from his childhood (that earned him $4000 when he sold it to Readers Digest); the years in Viet Nam as a US Army photographer, which led to the first of his 20-plus books; some behind-the-scenes dirt on the celebrities he’s written about. We laughed, we cried, we ate cake.

The Discussion Room
The Discussion Room is a free, once-a-month members-only Brainstorming session in which you can discuss issues that pertain to [craft]–perhaps about marketing your latest something, a question about your [craft], a gesture toward collaboration with another [trade] or [trader], or share a great [product] that you are reading or another event that people might enjoy, or whatever. We will concentrate mostly on anything having to do with [crafting]. Whether in person or online, attendance is limited in order for all participants to have their writing issues addressed. To protect members’ ideas, these meetings are not recorded. Discussion Room meetings are not typically announced on the website. Instead, we notify members via email.

Volunteering your skills with TheWGroup

Volunteers are TheWGroup’s lifeblood. They suggest panels and use their connections to get great speakers. Volunteers check guests in at events. As Satellite leaders, volunteers send emails and keep the Satellites running each month. Those savvy with social media keep our Facebook page and Twitter feeds hopping. They even get to plan parties!

No matter what your skillset, TheWGroup has a place for you to put those skills to work. We welcome your participation.

Online camaraderie, sharing, and advice

Email discussion group

We’d had a discussion group at Yahoo, but as those boards have been closed by Yahoo, we’re experimenting.

Facebook page

Our Facebook page [was linked] offers you another way to get the word out about what you’re doing. Anyone may post there, although you must ask to be approved as a member first. (TheWGroup membership is not required.)

TheWGroup Panel Recordings

Our recorded programs can give you helpful ideas, tips, and strategies.
We have captured some of the region’s best and brightest editors, writers, publishers, and agents during their appearances at our monthly meetings, seminars, and special events. May the bright ideas and savvy suggestions they offer light your way!

To order, visit our TheWGroup Recordings page.