The Writing Community
Prose
Fiction Writer's Forum. This critique group meets at 6:30pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at Barnes & Noble on Tamiami Trail. Bring 10-15 copies of up to 10 pages of your fiction.
Florida Writers Association-Manatee Branch. A critique group, where you can bring 8-10 copies of up to 10 double-spaced pages in 12pt font. You can find more information here.
Sisters in Crime. This group meets once a month to listen to speakers from a variety of backgrounds and support women crime writers. This chapter is led by Wendy Dingwall, whom you can email for information. You can also visit their website.
Renaissance Writers. Formerly a group that met at Manatee Community College, and which now meets every Monday at 2pm in the library at The Renaissance, 1816 9th St W, Bradenton. Members write a variety of genres, provide friendly critique, and will offer theirs. Led by Robert Marvin. No dues, but the venue would appreciate purchase of food and drink.
Pinnacle Youth Writers Group. Open to writers 18 years old and younger, monitored by creative writing teachers. Contact Dr. Ordext at Pinnacle Academy (941-755-1400) for more information.
Author Connection. A resource designed to enlighten authors about book promotion, publishing, and other related activities, co-founded by our own Susan Klaus.
Mote Ranch Writing Group. Tim Fortier is organizing a new writing group in Mote Ranch, Sarasota. He is looking for writers in all genres (he writes poetry and picture books for children and is resurrecting an in-school program). Initial thoughts are for twice-monthly meetings, probably early evening mid-week, Tuesday or Wednesday. Contact him at 941-217-0608 or by email.
Florida Writers Association-Sarasota Branch. This group meets in Nokomis on the first and third Wednesdays of each month to discuss writing and share short pieces and excerpts. Visit their website or email Ernie Ovitz for more information.
Memoir Group. A memoir writing group meets at the Braden River Library on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1pm-2:30pm. No dues; call 941-727-6079 for more information.
AMI Gulf Coast Writers. This group meets at 1pm on the first Wednesday of each month at the library in Holmes Beach. Writers may submit up to 1400 words of manuscript for critique. Bring multiple copies or email Judy Allen for member listing to send reading by email (preferred). You can also contact the library at 941-778-6341.
Scribes Club. A writers group to exercise the cranial muscles, hone your writing skills, and have fun. They meet at the Town Hall in Lakewood Ranch on the first and third Saturday of every month from 10am-1pm. Email Aroon Chaddha to join.
Sarasota Creative Writers. This group meets at Sarasota Alliance Church every other Tuesday, to which you can bring your writing. Visit their meetup page for more information and the upcoming meeting dates.
SRQ Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Writers. This meetup group offers in-depth critiquing of fiction in the specified genres. Contact organizer Patricia La Barbera at their meetup page to get involved.
The Word Show. Inviting poets, writers, spoken word artists, and musicians to share their words, lyrics, and stories every third Monday at 6:30pm at The Tea House, 1869 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.
Wordier Than Thou. Open mic for writers of prose to share short fiction in the back room of the Sarasota Brewing Company. Sign-up is at 6:30pm; starts at 7pm. No critique. Usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month; verify on Facebook.
Brunch for Writers. This group meets at Pier 22 on the Manatee River the 3rd Sunday of every month just to mix and chat with fellow writers. There is no agenda, and please feel free to join. If interested, email Dona.
Florida Writers Association- Peace River Writers. Led by Douglas Houck, this critique and discussion group meets on the first Saturday of every month at 9am at the Wyvern Hotel, 101 E Retta Esplanade in Punta Gorda.
Florida Writers Association Groups. For a comprehensive list of FWA-associated writers groups, visit FWA's website.
The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime. This indie market store offers Florida authors the chance to showcase their work. To apply, fill out this form.
Poetry
Selby Poets. This informal group gathers to encourage and gently critique each other's work. Meetings are at the Banyan Cafe on the Ringling Museum grounds on the third Thursday of each month from 10am-12pm. Purchase of a drink is expected, but there is no entry fee for the cafe. Park across the street and walk or ride the shuttle from the entrance. Bring 8-10 copies of one or two original poems to share aloud. For more info, email Gail Ghai.
Braden River Library Poetry Workshop. This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 3pm-5pm at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Avenue E Bradenton, FL 34203.
Film
Manasota Films Group. Writers, actors/actresses, film crew, extras, directors, producers, set designers, make-up pros, costume designers, and anyone else with an interest in the industry is encouraged to join by going to the Manasota Films Facebook page. Meetings are held at The Starlite Room's private upstairs bar in downtown Sarasota, featuring guest speakers, discussions about the industry, and the opportunity to interact with other enthusiasts.
New Florida Cinema Film Group. Started by John Lagerholm as an offshoot of Manasota Films, this group features indie films from regional producers. Being new, the format may change to include constructive critique on films. For more information, contact them at their Facebook group.
Sarasota Screen Writer's Circle. Three table readings are scheduled per meeting, which are held at Selby Library from 5:30pm-7:30pm in the second-floor conference room. For more information or to schedule a reading, go to their Facebook page or email Laurie Stoner.
Sarasota Screenwriters, Storytellers, and Creatives. This new group, led by award-winning screenwriter and producer Richard Keehn, focuses on the art, craft, and business of screenwriting and delves into storytelling in general. All skill and experience levels are welcome. For more information, email Richard.
Sarasota Film and Authors Meetup Group. This group meets every other Friday from 6pm-7pm at The Reserve near Downtown Sarasota, 1322 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL. For more information, email Ron Knight or visit the group's Meetup site.