The Writers is a writing group with a 60-year history in the north suburbs and a tradition of excellence. We meet weekly for two hours on Wednesday mornings from September to June for manuscript critique sessions. Workshops are moderated by writing professionals who direct the discussion and provide participants with a detailed written critique; members also receive constructive criticism from fellow writers. Each member is guaranteed at least two opportunities per year to have a manuscript of up to 20 pages read for critique and discussion.
The moderators who lead these critique sessions are some of Chicago’s finest writers and teachers, including Goldie Goldbloom, Rebecca Makkai, Sharon Solwitz, Peggy Shinner, Sharon Fiffer, Fred Shafer, Beth Wetmore, James O'Laughlin, Tom Bracken, Christine Sneed, and Elise Paschen.
Our accomplished members enjoy widespread publication in national and international journals and anthologies and have earned many honors, among them, Illinois Arts Council grants, William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards, the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, the Dana Portfolio Award, the Kurt Vonnegut Fiction Prize, the Ray Bradbury Creative Writing contest and the Chris O’Malley Prize in Fiction. Nominations include, among others, the Pulitzer and Pushcart Prizes. Members have edited esteemed literary journals, started award-winning publishing imprints and authored books that have been translated worldwide and stayed in print for almost 30 years. Poetry by our members has appeared in journals and textbooks and has been widely anthologized, in addition to being recognized in local competitions by The Poetry Center of Chicago, Chicago Poetry, Evanston Library, and the Guild Complex.
The Writers is open to new members for the 2023-2024 year
At this time, openings are available for membership in The Writers, and we invite published writers and advanced amateurs to apply. The group is ideal for strong writers who want to take their work to an even higher level. A broad range of writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) is covered, including book-length works. We do not consider writing for young children.
Those interested in applying to The Writers may do so by submitting an application and manuscript (any number of writing samples up to 20 pages) for consideration. Applicants whose manuscripts are determined to be of sufficiently high quality by the Manuscript Committee will be asked to join. Interested writers may contact the Web Manager (click to email). Members pay for the full year of sessions in advance with a $325 annual fee.
Weekly meetings are held at the Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road, in Glencoe from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on most Wednesdays during the academic year.
