This aloneness isn’t necessarily loneliness. After a day spent cramming thoughts about plot twists and dialogue into corners of the brain, it can be wonderful to set them free and watch them wander into the open, before assigning each one its place.

But after the wandering and the wondering comes the worrying.

Is this section too dialogue-heavy?

Is the ending predictable – or even nonsensical?

Do my characters resonate with people who didn’t invent them?

Will anyone ever read this?

Should I just give up?

There are no panaceas for writers – like us, our problems are too complex and run too deep – but a good sense of a writing community comes close.

Its most immediate benefits might be for the editing process, where a second pair of eyes can be invaluable. Sometimes, it can be so helpful to have someone explain that the problems we thought were terminal, are only one stop along the journey; sometimes, it can be helpful to know when a more dramatic change is required, or none at all.

But community is yet more complex than this, and runs deeper. Sometimes we need friends as well as critics.

The best writing communities might be online, founded and fostered through discussions about favourite books (social media isn’t all bad, all the time), and shared literary frustrations. Don’t you just hate it when…?

Sometimes creative writing meetup groups can be best in person, reminding us that we sometimes do exist in the real world, and we all have something difficult and special in common. However we find writing communities, and however they find us, they are worth fostering and nurturing, giving us at least as much back as we put in.

Meet-ups (in person and online)

There are countless informal ways to connect with other writers, from local gatherings to online drop-ins and Zoom groups. Shut Up & Write, for example, has a global network of chapters (and encourages you to start your own if there isn’t one nearby).

If you’re in the UK, your Regional Literature Development Agency (RLDA) can signpost local groups and initiatives. And if you’re near the National Centre for Writing, join us for the monthly Dragon Hall Social: a free evening of conversation, ideas exchange, and support for anyone who loves books and writing.

Ask your local bookseller or librarian

Bookshops and libraries are natural hubs for writing and reading communities. Booksellers and librarians often know exactly what’s happening locally — from writing groups to workshops — and many even run their own events.

Social media

Social media connects writers across geography. Explore hashtags like #WritingCommunity, #AmWriting, or #BookSky, and for translators, #xl8 and #literaryxl8.

Reddit forums such as r/writing offer practical advice and camaraderie, while Facebook hosts closed groups for specific interests or lived experiences.

Join a dedicated writers’ network

From screenwriting to sci-fi, there are organisations for almost every genre. Many offer expert advice, events, prizes, and global community. Explore groups such as the Society of Authors, or genre-specific organisations like the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Crime Writers’ Association, Horror Writers Association, Historical Writers Association, or the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Join an online writing community

Online platforms offer critique, accountability, or just friendly conversation. Popular sites include Scribophile, Wattpad and InkedVoices. Other useful spaces include 4theWords (gamified writing), Critique Circle, and Discord servers dedicated to particular genres or writing challenges.

Book events & festivals

Author talks, readings, and festivals — whether local or international — are ideal for meeting like-minded writers and readers. Conversations in queues, workshops, and post-event socials can often lead to lasting connections!

Courses, workshops & adult learning

Creative writing workshops and workshops create ready-made cohorts of fellow writers. Many continue as informal writing groups long after the course ends.

Check out our NCW Academy portfolio or courses and workshops, both in-person and online, here.

Retreats & residencies

Writing retreats, residencies, and writers’ houses bring you into close contact with other creatives working intensely on their craft. These can be local weekend retreats, international programmes, or low-cost community residencies. Find out more about our residencies here, as well as other opportunities from fellow UNESCO Cities of Literature.

Mentoring & talent development

For structured, in-depth support, try a mentoring session or apply for talent development programmes like the Escalator New Writing Fellowships. Mentoring offers one-to-one guidance, while fellowships place you in a close-knit cohort of peers on a shared creative journey.