WFNS logo ltrmark sticky 100px
WFNS logo ltrmark sticky 100px

Nova Scotia Writing Groups

Writing groups (also called writers’ groups) are built on informal, reciprocal, & respectful peer-to-peer feedback on in-progress creative writing. These groups can help participants improve their own writing skills, develop the skills & language to provide feedback to other writers, broaden their literary networks, and better understand the writing & publishing landscape in their region.

The below listings—for writers seeking writing groups, and for writing groups welcoming new members—are provided by individual members of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS). Because writing groups are informal social arrangements, writers and writing groups cannot be vetted by WFNS. We strongly encourage all writers to correspond respectfully.

Annapolis Valley Writers’ Circle (Facebook group)

Annapolis Valley Writers’ Circle is a new group welcoming writers at all points in their journeys. Our group aspires to create a space for writerly connection, discussions around craft, and brainstorming around projects. We also set aside time to write together. We meet every other Saturday late morning in Kentville. Email or join us on Facebook for more details.

Meeting method: In-person only (Kentville)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy, romance); Nonfiction (memoir); Writing for children; Young adult writing

Contact: Sarah J. Carlson (sjcarlson@live.com) or via message to Facebook group

Antigonish Writers’ Circle

The Antigonish Writers’ Circle is a new group open to local writers working in any (or even all!) genre(s). If you have writing to share and an ear to listen, we promise a safe, respectful place where writers at any level can get, and give, feedback on their work to improve our craft. Whether you’ve published, write for your own pleasure, or something in between, please feel free to bring a short sample (up to a thousand words) to read aloud. If that seems scary to you, just come and listen and see what you think. Meetings are at the People’s Place Library (283 Main St, Antigonish) every second Sunday afternoon from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Meeting method: In-person only (Antigonish)

Forms & genres: All

Contact: Paula Romanow (paularomanow@ns.sympatico.ca)

Bedford Writers Group (Facebook group)

Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:15, at the Bedford Public Library. Request to join the Facebook page and read the two documents in the files section which have to do with roles and responsibilities. Writers of all levels are welcome.

Meeting method: In-person only (Bedford)

Forms & genres: All

Contact: via message to Facebook group

Bus Stop Theatre’s Writers’ Circle (Instagram account)

The Writers’ Circle is a monthly, open-invitation event at the Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen St, Halifax) where you can share your works-in-progress, get feedback from fellow writers, create community and see what sparks your imagination. Led by Andre Fenton, the Circle is an inviting, inspiring way to maintain creative accountability and make connections with like minded artists.

Meeting method: In-person only (Halifax)

Forms & genres: All

Contact: Andre Fenton (andre.fenton@live.ca)

Evergreen Writers Group (website)

The Evergreen Writers Group meets in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to discuss our writing ideas, read our latest efforts, offer constructive criticism, and help each other reach our creative writing goals. We have varied levels of writing experience and interests in almost every genre, from historical fiction and memoirs to mysteries and science fiction. Our current group comprises poets, short story writers, novelists, and photographic artists. We draw our members from the Halifax metropolitan area and normally alternate our twice monthly meetings between Evergreen House and the Alderney Gate Library. During the pandemic we’ve met online via Zoom.

Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, historical, romance); Nonfiction (short-form, long-form, memoir); Poetry; Writing for children; Young Adult writing; Scriptwriting

Contact: evergreenwritersgroup.manager@gmail.com

Kentville Writers’ Roundtable

Established in September, 2023, in conjunction with the Kentville Library, the Kentville Writers’ Roundtable is for authors currently working on a writing project who would like constructive feedback from a supportive group of peers. We meet once per month at the Kentville Library, where we read aloud from our current work. Our group is restricted to a maximum of 8 members. To join, please register with the Kentville Library Branch Manager at kentville@valleylibrary.ca.

Meeting method: In-person only (Kentville)

Forms & genres: All

Contact: Cathy Spencer (spencercatherinem@gmail.com)

Pictou County Writers (Facebook group)

The Pictou County Writers have been going for many years. Current members span the whole range of published and unpublished, young and old, and many different genres. There is a regular drop-in get-together at the Trenton Library on Tuesdays at 6pm, as well as every last Saturday of the month at 11am, when we generally schedule a workshop. This is also the home of the Beta Reader Spot. Drop on in! We are pretty good at keeping each other motivated and writing, and new members are always welcome. Ask any questions by phone at 902-752-5181.

Meeting method: Flexible (remote & in-person)

Forms & genres: All

Contact: trenton@parl.ns.ca

Uniacke Writers’ Circle

Uniacke Writers’ Circle is a group open to both published writers and aspiring writers whose goal is publication. It is a safe, respectful place to share new work, give and receive constructive feedback, as well as foster community with fellow writers. We will be meeting one Saturday morning each month at the Mount Uniacke Public Library. If you would like to join, please email for more information.

Meeting method: In-person only (Mount Uniacke)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, crime/mystery/thriller); Nonfiction (short-form, long-form, memoir, research-based); Poetry

Contact: Bethany Lake (uniackewriterscircle@gmail.com)

Writers Together – Eastern Shore

Writers Together is a group for serious fiction writers who are published or aiming toward publication. It’s a safe place to share writing and receive useful critique to help us all grow as writers. We meet every Tuesday from 6pm to 8:30pm at Woodlawn Public Library (31 Eisener Blvd, Dartmouth). If you’d like to join, please email for more information.

Meeting method: In-person only (Dartmouth)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, historical, scifi/fantasy)

Contact: Joe Britto (writerstogetherhfx@gmail.com)

Michael Anft

I’m a career journalist and nonfiction book writer who moved to Dartmouth two years ago. I also write short fiction (sometimes literary, sometimes speculative) and am amid the first draft of a historical novel. About a year ago, another scribe and I formed a writing group in Dartmouth, but that has petered out. It would be terrific to meet up and workshop with other fiction writers.

Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form); Nonfiction (short-form, long-form)

Contact: michaelanft@verizon.net

Meghan MacLean

I work as a Technical Editor and Project Manager, but my true love is fiction. I have written six erotic romance novellas, and previously worked as an editor in the same genre. My main area of interest is speculative fiction, but I have yet to put any of the partially formed hooks/ideas to paper. I am plagued by the terrible habit of procrastinating indefinitely unless I have external motivation. In fewer words, I need a deadline. I am hoping to meet with other local writers and feel inspired to write more, but I would also love to flex my literary editing skills to build up a portfolio in the event I am ever brave enough to leave my safe job for my dream job.

Meeting method: Flexible (remote & in-person)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy/horror, romance)

Contact: meghanj.maclean@gmail.com

Peggi “Jillian” Roy

I am an aspiring author living in Halifax while I complete my English degree at Mount Saint Vincent University. I am unpublished but have written many ideas that I am learning to collect into books. I am currently working on my first collection of poetry and am sewing seeds in the children’s, creative non-fiction, and memoir genres. The world of literature seems insurmountably large to me, and I am curious as to how my stories will rope into the grand narrative of it all. I hope to build connections with local writers so I can find my place among you someday.

Meeting method: In-person only

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form); Nonfiction (memoir, research-based); Poetry; Writing for children

Contact: jdavidsonroy@gmail.com

Michael Sabbagh

I’m a video game and fiction writer who recently moved to Halifax (September 2024, to be precise) following six years of residence in Montreal. In the past, I have wrangled words for the steampunk computer role-playing game Sovereign Syndicate and the mystery interactive adventure title Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. What I’m looking for is a community of fiction writers (interest in video games isn’t required, but a plus) with whom I can bond and share my work for feedback purposes. As someone who wishes to get back to socializing in person following the pandemic, I’m eager to seek a sense of community in HRM and make myself at home among friendly folks. My long-term goals are to publish some stories set in an alternate historical version of Atlantic Canada and befriend fellow local wordsmiths. Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in making our respective acquaintances!

Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)

Forms & genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy/horror

Contact: michelsabbagh2003@msn.com

To update a listing, email contact@writers.ns.ca with the subject line “Writing Group Listings.”

To submit a listing, complete and submit the below form.

You must be a General Member to submit a listing. General Membership is open to anyone who writes.
Scroll to Top
WFNS logo ltrmark sticky 100px

Simultaneous Submissions

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) administers some programs (and special projects) that involve print and/or digital publication of ‘selected’ or ‘winning’ entries. In most cases, writing submitted to these programs and projects must not be previously published and must not be simultaneously under consideration for publication by another organization. Why? Because our assessment and selection processes depends on all submitted writing being available for first publication. If writing selected for publication by WFNS has already been published or is published by another organization first, copyright issues will likely make it impossible for WFNS to (re-)publish that writing.

When simultaneous submissions to a WFNS program are not permitted, it means the following:

  • You may not submit writing that has been accepted for future publication by another organization.
  • You may not submit writing that is currently being considered for publication by another organization—or for another prize that includes publication.
  • The writing submitted to WFNS may not be submitted for publication to another organization until the WFNS program results are communicated. Results will be communicated directly to you by email and often also through the public announcement of a shortlist or list of winners. Once your writing is no longer being considered for the WFNS program, you are free to submit it elsewhere.
    • If you wish to submit your entry elsewhere before WFNS program results have been announced, you must first contact WFNS to withdraw your entry. Any entry fee cannot be refunded.

Prohibitions on simultaneous submission do not apply to multiple WFNS programs. You are always permitted to submit the same unpublished writing to multiple WFNS programs (and special projects) at the same time, such as the Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program, the Emerging Writers Prizes, the Jampolis Cottage Residency Program, the Message on a Bottle contest, the Nova Writes Competition, and any WFNS projects involving one-time or recurring special publications.

Recommended Experience Levels

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) recommends that participants in any given workshop have similar levels of creative writing and / or publication experience. This ensures that each participant gets value from the workshop⁠ and is presented with information, strategies, and skills that suit their career stage. The “Recommended experience level” section of each workshop description refers to the following definitions used by WFNS.

  • New writers: those with less than two years’ creative writing experience and/or no short-form publications (e.g., short stories, personal essays, or poems in literary magazines, journals, anthologies, or chapbooks).
  • Emerging writers: those with more than two years’ creative writing experience and/or numerous short-form publications.
  • Early-career authors: those with 1 or 2 book-length publications or the equivalent in book-length and short-form publications.
  • Established authors: those with 3 or 4 book-length publications.
  • Professional authors: those with 5 or more book-length publications.

Please keep in mind that each form of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and writing for children and young adults) provides you with a unique set of experiences and skills, so you might consider yourself an ‘established author’ in one form but a ‘new writer’ in another.

For “intensive” and “masterclass” creative writing workshops, which provide more opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, the recommended experience level should be followed closely.

For all other workshops, the recommended experience level is just that—a recommendation—and we encourage potential participants to follow their own judgment when registering.

If you’re uncertain of your experience level with regard to any particular workshop, please feel free to contact us at communications@writers.ns.ca