your guide to:

running a writing group

i signed up for a writing group through the university writing center on a whim - i was cleaning out my inbox, a nearly obsessive form of procrastination for me, and saw the notice that groups were forming soon. it was the fall of my fourth year (of a five year program) and i needed some motivation. i had a draft of my prospectus that needed polishing, a schedule that was becoming more and more freeform as i advanced through the degree, and more and more pressure to research, write and publish as much as possible. though it went through several permutations, my writing group was one of the most persistent, helpful, and supportive spaces through my candidacy. but most importantly, it taught me how to get feedback on purpose - and how to find the feedback I wasn’t necessarily getting from my advisor. i took many of those skills with me into my coaching practice, and am proud to say that i now create and facilitate writing groups for all kinds of disciplines all around the world!

but not everyone can afford to work with me directly, so i've written up this guide to starting, managing, and planning writing groups! it includes different ways to organize your group, guidelines, schedules, activities, and more. my aim with this guide was to walk you through my thought processes as i create groups (and benefit from them myself!), so that you can have more information as you create and run a group that meets your specific needs.

this is a 20+ page guide to help you:

• explore different kinds of writing groups to find the balance that suits you best

• information to help you set good guidelines and timing so your group can be sustainable and supportive

• forms to help guide the activities of the writing group

• activities to try in your groups to shake things up and go deeper with the craft of academic writing!