Setting Up or Joining a Writing Group

The purpose of a writing group is to provide mutual support and accountability to increase the quality, quantity, consistency, and enjoyability of its members’ writing experience. Research shows that all types of writing groups can lead to success. 

If you are interested in setting up a writing group, consider the following questions: 

-How many members will be in the group? Which disciplines will they be drawn from? How will you recruit them? 

-Will you have a leader initially or later in the process? Will the leader rotate or be static? Will you invite writing or subject experts to guide you in the process? 

-How will you meet? Will it be face-to-face or remotely using technology? When will you meet? Where will you meet? Will it be on campus or away from campus? How often will you meet? How long will you meet for? 

-What types of activities will you do during meetings? Options include: goal-setting; writing (including freewriting, prompted writing, and self-directed writing); reading each others’ writing; offering feedback and responses to each others’ writing; discussing writing and/or feedback. 

-What will you do between meetings? Will you write? Will you read and respond to each others’ writing? 

These questions are adapted from Sarah Haas, “Pick-n-Mix: A typology of writers’ groups in use,” Writing Groups for Doctoral Education and Beyond: Innovations in Practice and Theory, ed. Claire Aitchison and Cally Guerin (Routledge, 2014). 

The following resource may also be helpful as you decide upon a writing group formation that will best suit your needs: Kerry Ann Rockquemore, “Shut Up and Write” from Inside Higher Ed (2010) 

Writing Groups scheduled to meet in Spring 2025

Online Writing Group: Tuesdays 11:00am-12:00pm, and Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm

In Person Writing Group: Mondays 4:30-5:30pm and Tuesdays 1:00-2:00pm

Whether interested in starting a Writing Group or joining a pre-established cohort, fill out the form below to show your interest or reach out to Coordinator for Graduate Writing Support directly at gradwriting@uconn.edu    

Writing Group Interest Form

Weekly, every other week, once a month, etc.
List Days and times you are available to attend the writing group. Example: Monday 10am - 12pm
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