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.
To have a listing removed, please contact communications@writers.ns.ca with the subject line “Writing Group Listings.”
Alex Hamilton
I’m speculative fiction writer who recently moved back to Canada after living overseas for the last 3+ years. I used to be part of a couple of writing groups that met monthly/biweekly, so I’m hoping to find similar groups in the Halifax area. My goal is working towards publication, so I’m looking for a group that is serious about feedback/critique and meets regularly. While I’d love to find fellow SFF writers, I am open to reading work in other genres and age groups than my own (preferably fiction). Currently I’m revising a novel, which I hope to start querying later this year.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy)
Contact: w.alex.hamilton@gmail.com
Anthony Thomson
Meeting method: Remote only (video chat, phone, or email)
Genres: Fiction (long-form mystery)
Contact: tony.thomson@acadiau.ca
Jenn Humphries
I’m a trained marketing communications writer looking to move into fiction and non-fiction writing. I moved to South Bar (Cape Breton Island) in March and hope to meet regularly with other serious-minded writers interested in improving craft.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Fiction (long-form, scifi/fantasy, romance); Non-fiction (short-form, long-form, research-based)
Contact: jennhisat@hotmail.com
Kyle Cormier
I’m a teacher looking to get into writing. I’d love to share my work with some seasoned authors and receive some helpful feedback!
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form)
Contact: kylecormier33@gmail.com
Neil Clifford
I have incarnated through the arts as a dancer, actor and sculptor, and in last few years have enjoyed attending a few of Beth Kaplan’s non-fiction writers workshops held in Toronto. I am recently arrived in Nova Scotia and I hope to connect with writers in the Halifax or South Shores areas. My wish is to put to paper my memoirs, and to develop my ideas alongside a few others focused in the non-fiction genre, perhaps by sending each other our writing prior to a gathering where we can discuss our work. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to meeting you!
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Nonfiction (short-form, long-form, memoir); Scriptwriting
Contact: nclifford@rogers.com
Marihan Farid
I am a fourth-year medical student, working on writing my memoir. I am enrolled in the Memoir Writing course at King’s College and looking for a supportive writing group to get feedback.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Nonfiction (memoir)
Contact: marihan.farid@gmail.com
Rushi Shah
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy, romance); Nonfiction (short-form, long-form, research-based); Young Adult writing; Scriptwriting
Contact: rushimshah@gmail.com
Sofia Ferrari
Self-published memoir author seeking other writers interested in pursuing non-profit writing projects.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: Nonfiction (short-form, long-form, memoir, research-based); Journalism; Non-profit writing
Contact: sofiaferrari82is@gmail.com
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)
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)
Genres: All
Contact: Paula Romanow (paularomanow@ns.sympatico.ca)
Bedford Writers Group (Facebook group)
Meets the second Wednesday of each month, currently via Facebook Rooms but hopefully again at the Bedford Public Library in the future. 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: Flexible (remote/in-person)
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
Genres: All
Contact: Andre Fenton (andre.fenton@live.ca)
Evergreen Writers Groups (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)
Genres: Poetry, Fiction (short-form, long-form, historical, romance), Non-fiction (short-form, long-form, memoir), Writing for children, Young Adult writing, Scriptwriting
Guysborough Writers (website)
Guysborough Writers welcomes writers of any style or form to attend biweekly meetings both in person or online, to read, discuss and critique original pieces of work. Poetry, short stories, novels, essays, memoirs—anything composed with the alphabet can be brought to the table. Guysborough Writers is organized and led by Lois Ann Dort, journalist and former coordinator of the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote/in-person)
Genres: All
Contact: Lois Ann Dort (loisanndort@gmail.com)
Halifax Sci-Fi & Space Opera Writers and Readers
Hi everyone! I’d love to connect HRM-based sci-fi and space opera fans who love to read and write in and around that genre. Besides a writing and reading focus, we could also swap notes on good films and tv within that genre. Who likes pubs?
Meeting method: Flexible (remote & in-person)
Genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, scifi/fantasy), Young Adult writing, Scriptwriting Fiction
Contact: Scott Neilson (scott_neilson@hotmail.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)
Genres: All
Contact: trenton@parl.ns.ca
Writers Together – Eastern Shore
Writers Together is a group for 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). Email us for more information. Please note that this group is currently full, but a waitlist is available.
Meeting method: In-person
Genres: Fiction (short-form, long-form, historical, scifi/fantasy)
Contact: Joe Britto (writerstogetherhfx@gmail.com)
Yarmouth Write Away (Facebook group)
We are a welcoming group that has been meeting remotely this past year. Prior to this, our group met in person in the community room at Sobeys in Yarmouth. We meet on a monthly basis but take a hiatus for the summer months of July and August. Follow us on Facebook for upcoming (September) meeting details.
Meeting method: Flexible (remote & in-person)
Genres: Poetry, Fiction (short-form, historical), Nonfiction (short-form)
Contact: Janice Comeau (janicecomeau@eastlink.ca)
