The Loft posts free announcements from writers and book groups seeking members. The Loft does not endorse or vouch for any groups except those specifically designated as “Loft-Sponsored.” Loft Open Groups

Book Clubs

Women & Politics Book Group welcomes both men and women, meets at U of M. Topics: www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/wpp/women_politics_reading_group.htm

The “Third Thursday Book Group” for seniors meets at 1:30 pm on the third Thursday of every month at the St. Louis Park Community Library at 3240 Library Lane. The complete list of titles to be discussed is available at the library and at Lenox Community Center.

A Saint Anthony Village book group meets monthly on Monday nights near the Saint Anthony Village Library. Call for information. 952-847-6075.

Writing Groups

Writers' Circle: Writers' Circle meets Wednesdays, 10 a.m-noon in Wayzata, beginning October 2011. Writers of all levels experiment with various genres and share ideas. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Pat at 952-471-7152.

Young adult novel writing group seeks new members serious about publication for critique and support. We write YA fiction, all subgenres welcome. Meets in NE Minneapolis. Email: ryann(dot)kerekes(at)gmail.com for more information!

Plymouth Writers' Group: We are mostly genre writers working to get published -- current Loft or alumni. Romance writer selling well on Amazon.  Suspense/thriller writer just completed a novel. Meet 4th Thursdays, 7-9 PM. Submit 8-15 pages in advance. Verbal/written critiques. Time allotted for web design tips, etc.  Contact: http://www.meetup.com/plymouthwriters-Plymouth-Writers-Group/

Midtown Writers Group: an open freewriting group that has met at the Midtown Global Market every Saturday morning since March of 2007. Using paper and pen, we write from a prompt for somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes, then give all the option to read. Then we do it again. We don't critique our work. We just get words on the page in the name of process and creativity. Come join us. We meet from 9 am to 11 am at A La Salsa restaurant, and we always welcome newcomers. More information.

Novel-Writing Group: Seeking other novelists in need of honest feedback focusing on the whole story. Meet once/month on a day, time, and place decided by members. Starting in March. Required: sense of humor, ability to take criticism, and willingness to read full manuscripts of any genre within the realm of novel-length fiction. E-mail Alex at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .”

RiversideWritersMN: Juried group seeking high-caliber fiction writers. Literary, F/SF, Romance, Historical and Mystery. Meets every Thursday p.m. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RiversideWritersMN/

Southwest Suburban Writers' Group: Meets Thursdays, every 3 weeks, 5–6:30 pm, at the Eden Prairie Library. New members welcome! Contact Denny at 952-920-7171 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts has two writers’ groups: one facilitated by the writer-in-residence, Northwords and a peer critique group, Rice Creek writers’ group. Both groups meet at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in Fridley. http://northwords-ricecreekwriters.blogspot.com

Multi-Genre Fiction Writing Group looking for new members for critique and support. Meet every few weeks on Monday night in Minneapolis. Learn more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Southside Writers: Southside meets every Saturday morning (except for holidays) from 10 a.m.–noon in the Dakota Room of the Wescott Library in Eagan. http://home.earthlink.net/~hlmontgomery/cardinal/index.html

National League of American Pen Women: A professional organization for women writers, artists, composers, and public speakers. Contact the Minnesota branch at 952-881-1569 or www.mn-penwomen.org

Screenwriters Workshop Script Groups: Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in Minneapolis. Peer critique groups open to members of Screenwriters Workshop; nonmembers may observe first time before joining. Please e-mail group leader before visiting.
http://www.screenwritersworkshop.org/index.php?

Children’s Writing Group: Seeking experienced writers (published or not) who know something of craft and critique to form a local writing group for PB, chapter books, possibly MG/YA. Contact Geoff, 651-698-5097 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hmong Writers Group: Meeting 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at HAIL offices, Center for Hmong Studies, Concordia University, 1245 Carroll Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. Details: call Mai Neng Moua at 612-226-6046.

Maple Grove Memoir Writers Group: Last Wednesday of month, 6:30–9 p.m. 763-551-3516.

Twin Cities Nonfiction Writers: Rondo Community Library in St. Paul. 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10:15 a.m. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

North Metro Writers’ Group: All genres of fiction for YA and adults. Currently meets 4th Wednesday, 7 p.m. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Celia at 763-780-4480.

Poets Round Table: Bring your own or favorite poetry. We’ll take turns reading. Opposable Thumbs Books, 2833 Johnson St NE. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or 612-706-2020.
 
St. Croix Valley Border Poets: Tuesdays. Libbey Casey Irwin, M.F.A. 651-738-7223.

Sandhill Writers Group: Sandhill Center for the Arts, 23820 Dewey St. NW, East Bethel, MN 55005. Third Tuesday, 7-9 pm. 763-434-3132.

Twin Cities Sisters In Crime: The mission of Sisters in Crime is to promote the professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry. http://www.twincitysinc.org/default.htm

Garden Crow Poetry Group: Meets in Minneapolis. Nicole at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tahir at 612-201-7768 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Northword Writers Group: Banfil-Locke Center for the Arts, 6666 East River Road, Fridley. 10-12 am every fourth Saturday. All genres welcome, 763-574-1850.

 Brainerd Writers Alliance: 3rd Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Web pages for members. All writers welcome. www.brainerdwriters.org

Writers’ Group (essays, novels, short stories; Coon Rapids/Blaine area): Join us for critiquing, camaraderie, and support. 2nd Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. Call Gail at 763-572-9369.

Memoir/Creative Nonfiction Group: Seeking experienced writers to share support and feedback. Weekly at Trotter’s Cafe, Saint Paul. Ruth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 651-698-6986.

Novel Writers Group Seeks New Members: Group that grew out of Loft’s Advanced Novel Writing Class, meets once a month. Meeting times are negotiable. Contact Ed Clark at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 mnwriters.org is an online showcase/community for Minnesota-based writers offering free Web pages for published authors. www.mnwriters.org 

Memoir/Autobiography writing group meets in Saint Paul. For those who have completed substantial writing to explore narrative voice, structure, and techniques. Judy 651-483-4208 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Loft-Sponsored Open Groups

Loft-sponsored writing and book Groups are free and offer members of the Twin Cities literary community a supportive and relaxed environment to share their work and discuss books. Loft Open Groups