SLO NIGHTWRITER CRITIQUE GROUPS 
Rev. 10-29-12
NW Critique Groups are a wonderful benefit of NW Membership. Some groups are full, many welcome visitors. Always contact the group leader listed for specific information regarding group availability and visiting options. SLO NW cannot guarantee critique group formation or availability but we do strive to facilitate connections between writers so they can initiate and develop their own writing affiliations. While we cannot be, and are not, responsible for any outcomes from these associations, we hope they lead to great creative magic and magnificent literary works! Contact Sharyl Heber, Critique Group Coordinator to list your critique group and critique needs in the NW Newsletter and on the NW Web site. sharylheber@gmail.com
NEW POETRY GROUP STARTING IN JANUARY 2013!
Who: Poets who want honest feedback on poems they might shape up for their own chapbooks.
When: 1st and 4th Thursdays starting January 3rd. 3-5pm. The January 24th time is to be decided.
Where: The Community Room in New Frontiers Market on Fromm Ranch Road in San Luis Obispo.
What to Bring: Enough copies to share with other poets.
Suggested Prior Reading: Guidelines for Critique Groups - found on the NW website- www.slonightwriters.org
Facilitator: To be decided.
CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact: Irene Chadwick at 481-3824 or by email irenekooi@gmail.com
‘JUST US’ CHILDREN’S BOOK CRITIQUE
Meets in the South County. Critiqued at a fast pace, in a process where members critique each other’s writing electronically, followed by a face- to-face meeting twice a month. Meetings are held 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 10 am. Contact moderator for details and directions.
CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact Lili Sinclaire, 904-9697 or by email liliasinclaire@gmail.com
NORTH COUNTY GROUP
Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9: 30 - 12:30 pm. Adult Fiction, Memoire. Non-fiction, too, most other genres until other groups can begin.
CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Janice Konstantinidis, 238-3153 or by email jkon50@gmail.com
SLO CRITIQUES
This group has no genre restrictions and no skill level restrictions. Meeting location is San Luis Obispo. The day and meeting times will be open to discussion.
CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS.
Contact David Schwab 543-3111 or by email daveschwab@sbcglobal.net
HI HOPES
This group was invented to fill a need for a Los Osos/San Luis Obispo group that incorporates writers who generate stories, essays, novels, poetry–you get the picture–writers of any description. Whether or not you wish to publish, we’ll help you with ideas to improve your writing. Led by Sharon Sutliff, we meet on the second and fourth Mondays at 9 AM and usually wrap up in time for lunch. We meet in various locations. Call one of the moderators to arrange a visit, or get more information.
CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact Sharon Sutliff, 544-4034 or Audrey Yanes 534-1919
WHAT IF? WRITING GROUP II
Meets every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in Los Osos. Work is produced in each session, then analyzed according to the objective of the day’s goal. Based on writing exercises designed to jump- start the creative process (gleaned from a variety of published authors), these sessions take writers through the process of writing fiction from inception of idea to the final resolution. This group is for all writers who want to learn the process of crafting a well-told story while developing their own voice and style. We explore such topics as ideas, character, story arc, tone, voice, POV, tension, dialogue, resolution, writing mechanics, etc.
There is a Fee involved for this class. (If enough interest is expressed, a night class in Los Osos may be started.)
CURRENTLY OPEN FOR ONE MORE MEMBER
Susan Tuttle 458-5234, or by email aim2write@yahoo.com
ADULT NOVELS
Lili Sinclaire is considering STARTING A NEW GROUP for ADULT NOVELS in a process where members critique each other’s writing electronically, followed by a face- to-face meeting.
Contact Lili Sinclaire, 904-9697 or by email at liliasinclaire@gmail.com
NOVEL IDEA
Meets twice monthly on the second and fourth Wednesdays in San Luis Obispo, dealing with book-length works. The group is fully committed to helping one another craft material in the chosen genres with helpful critiques and encouragement. Marketing techniques are part of the on-going exchange. We are currently full but welcome one time guests to observe how our group functions in the hope of encouraging establishment of new groups.
CURRENTLY FULL – NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact Barbara Wolcott 543-5240 or by email sanlobooks@gmail.com
LONG STORY SHORT
Flash Fiction/Nonfiction only meets the 2nd & 4th Fridays every month, from 10 am to 12 noon in Arroyo Grande. Bring paper and pencil, or your laptop if you are so inclinedundefined flash pieces, 1000 word strict maximum.
CURRENTLY FULL – NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Call or email to be placed on a waiting list.
Contact Diane Smith 858-414-0070 or by email mdcomposes@yahoo.com
LO PROSE
Meets in Los Osos on the first and third Wednesdays at 7pm till usually 10pm. The group runs a tight ship so that everyone can read. No cross talk permitted. At the beginning and at our break we socialize. We’re all serious but fun-loving. Presently the writing covers several genres: YA novels; short stories; short stories woven into a novel; fantasy; humorous mystery novel; political satire novel; and personal essays. We write just about everything except poetry.
CURRENTLY FULL – NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
but guests are welcome. It may happen that space could be made for a compatible writer.
Contact Charlie Perryess 528-4090 or Lorie Brallier 528-8845
FICTION/NONFICTION
Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays from 9:00 am to noon in San Luis. Members bring original work to each session and read aloud to the group. The group provides constructive suggestions for improving the writing and the structure of the stories. Prose forms of literature–short stories, novels, memoirs, essays, newspaper and magazine articles, travel–are this group’s forte. It welcomes writers who are serious about producing work for publication. Those interested in attending or who need more information should telephone.
CURRENTLY FULL; NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact Terry Sanville 541-0492 or Gloria Pautz 543-2049
SOUTH COUNTY WRITERS
Meets on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9:30 AM to noon in Grover Beach. This group thrives on variety, writing short stories, articles and novels, all genres from fiction to biography and memoirs. Members exchange work by email at least one week before the meeting. This allows everyone to receive in-depth critiques aimed at eliminating weaknesses and increasing strengths in everything from plot and character development to grammar and proper manuscript preparation. We meet in a casual and fun atmosphere and are serious about fully developing each member’s writing talent, whether for publication or self- satisfaction. Visitors welcome. Please call in advance.
THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY FULL--NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS.
Moderator: Judythe Guarnera, 474-9598
WHAT IF? WRITING GROUP I
For all writers. Meets every Wednesday in Grover Beach from 10:30 am to12:30 pm. Not a traditional NightWriter critique group. Work is produced in each session, then analyzed according to the objective of the day’s goal. Based on writing exercises designed to jump- start the creative process (gleaned from a variety of published authors), these sessions take writers through the process of writing fiction from inception of idea to the final resolution. This group is for all writers who want to learn the process of crafting a well-told story while developing their own voice and style. We explore such topics as ideas, character, story arc, tone, voice, POV, tension, dialogue, resolution, writing mechanics, etc.
CURRENTLY FULL – NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Susan Tuttle 458-5234 or by email aim2write@yahoo.com
TEEN FICTION CRITIQUE GROUP
Meets every other Friday in Los Osos, with a specific focus on fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal fiction for teens. Members exchange work and critiques by email, then expound on comments in person at bi-monthly meetings. When needed, in-person meetings may be conducted via Skype.
CURRENTLY FULL - NOT OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Contact Shruti Maniar by email shruti.maniar@gmail.co
