One year ago, a few aspiring authors — me included — launched an MWA-NY experiment. We wanted to gather writers who were used to working as a solitary pursuit, and bring them together. Sounds simple now. At the time, it was so simple it got a little hard to explain.
“Write-Ins — you buy your own coffee, hunker down in a coffee-shop and write alone… together.” Back in April that was our pitch.
We put out the word for the first event . . . and the second . . . and began to book them every month. A year on, that tiny experiment has led to 12 monthly writing gatherings in Manhattan — and this month marks the expansion of the series into Brooklyn.
And we’re not stopping there. We began the series because we wanted a regular way to bring newer members into the MWA-New York orbit. Many of them, perhaps like younger versions of ourselves, are looking for a touch-point to groups of writers, editors and industry folk — groups like ours.
So, after 12 months of meeting new faces and familiar ones too, I can say that Write-Ins — designed to be relaxed and cost-free — have started to bring in new and emerging writers who are looking for advice and community as they figure out their next steps.
If you’re a member of the chapter and want to join us — say no more and skip to the end.
But even if you’ve never been to any kind of Write-In before, you can still play a big part in their growing success. We want to encourage your help by inviting experienced authors to join our monthly gatherings. As featured guests, you can come to talk about your work, or just make yourself available for advice and chit-chat.
Better still, many of you as teachers see students with potential. We bet you probably know some writers just starting their career, who could use a little writing time and few good connections.
Write-Ins are for writers like them. And we appreciate you spreading the word.
Here’s how to plug into our Write-In network:
— Keep an eye on the Facebook group page. If you haven’t already signed up, our Facebook group, MWA Write-Ins is where to find the confirmed dates and sites of our next events. Those dates also appear on MWA-NY’s Twitter feed, @MWANewYork.
— Come Write-In for an afternoon. Next time you’re looking for dedicated writing time, indulge your curiosity and come see what we’re all about. Suffice to say, Write-Ins are part writing intensive, part catching up over coffee.
—Invite emerging and established writers. If you teach, share our Write-In dates with your students. If you’re pestered by friends looking for ways to build their writing habit, send them our way. Our Facebook group is open to all, so just send them an invitation.
—If your neighborhood could use a Write-In, tell us! Write-Ins started at their routine location on 8th Avenue in Manhattan. They have already expanded into Brooklyn, with events planned so far for Williamsburg and Gowanus. But other boroughs are getting their own series as we can roll them out. Would you like to host one in your neighborhood? Let us know.
—Join in via social media. So you find yourself far away from NYC that weekend? No problem. Wherever you are, if you’re writing somewhere in the world during our allotted sessions, tell us via posts on Twitter or Facebook, simply by mentioning #MWANYWriteIn. However you can join in, we hope you do!
— Write-Ins are habit-forming. Don’t just take our word for it! Several MWA-NY board members have been wildly supportive of the Write-Ins and their goal to expand the chapter. Ardi Alspach and I, who kicked off the series, are grateful to Laura K. Curtis, who as chapter president is continuing that support, and to former chapter prez Richie Narvaez and board folks like Suzanne Solomon who have spent Sundays hanging out, clocking up some satisfying word-counts and showing how MWA-NY is committed to including and encouraging emerging writers.
—Juliet Fletcher