cRitique GRoups
Pennwriters area 5 critique Group
4th Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Foundation Hall
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Contact: Carrie Jacobs at carrieinpa@gmail.com
Gettysburg Writing Brigade
Every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
O'Rourke's Eatery
44 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg
Contact Jim Rada at jimrada@yahoo.com
children's Book Writers critique Group
3rd Wednesday, 2 p.m.
New Cumberland Area Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Write on
2nd Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.
New Cumberland Area Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Contact Sue Kerr at 717-802-2594
Midtown Writers Group
3rd Sunday of every month, 1 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
Mechanicsburg creative Writing
3rd Saturday, 7 p.m.
212 E. Locust St., Mechanicsburg
Non-Fiction authors association central
Pa chapter
2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Spire AVL Studios
99 Garden Parkway, Carlisle
www.nonfictionauthorsassociation.com
the Genuine Writer
2nd and 4th ursday, 6 p.m.
Whole Foods Market
1563 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster
central Pa Writers Workshop tM
2nd and 3rd Sunday
Check meetup app for roving location
lancaster christian Writers
3rd Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
Lancaster Alliance Church
210 Pitney Rd., Lancaster
www.Lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com
liteRaRy meetinGs
Nathaniel Gadsden's spoken Word café
Most Fridays, 7 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
almost Uptown Poetry cartel
ursdays, 7 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
central Pa romance Writers
1st Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
Simpson Public Library, Mechanicsburg
www.Cprw.rwa.org
conFeRences
Pennwriters conference (all genres)
Annual conference in May
www.pennwriters.org/conferences
Hippocamp conference (creative non-
fiction)
Annual conference in August
www.hippocamp.hippocampusmag
lancaster christian Writers
Annual conference 1st Saturday in April
www.Lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com
catholic Writers Guild conference
Annual conference in summer
www.Catholicwritersguild.org
the Write stuff
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group
Annual conference in March
www.greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org
aDult eD classes (non-univeRsity)
Perry county council of the arts
A Novel Idea
1st Saturday starting in March
Landis House
67 N. 4th St., Newport
www.perrycountyarts.org/a-novel-idea
Gale writing courses at the Hershey
Public library
www.Hersheylibrary.org
Writing classes at the Fredericksen library
www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/FRE
WrITer reSourCeS
and that relationship will help you grow your
writing. rough the local PA Horror Writers
Association chapter, Jordan found her mentor—a
Bram Stoker Award winner!
Susan Ryder, a feature writer and communications
professional for two local churches, advised
beginning writers to "talk to people, ask questions,
and introduce yourself to people."
At first, you may not have your own ideas about
writing topics, but that's OK.
"Be willing to write what an editor needs, even if
it may not interest you," Ryder said. "It will give you
practice and offer opportunities to pitch stories."
Once you feel confident, try pitching to local
venues. Make sure you're aligning with the "flavor"
of the publication. Ryder suggested studying a few
back issues to help tailor your pitch.
Try entering contests. It's an excellent way to
garner a title.
Janet Cincotta maintains a weekly blog to keep
her memoir-writing on track. In 2015, she won
the Central PA Magazine short story contest.
Conferences also hold writing contests.
Listening to critiques and working with editors
requires a thick skin.
"Expect feedback and story edits, and listen to your
editor," Ryder said.
And, if your work is turned down, don't take it too
hard, Jordan advised.
"Although rejection sucks, don't take it personally,"
she said. "Sometimes, those letters have good
advice."
And don't let all this intimidate you.
"If you have a story to tell, don't let it go untold,"
Royer said.
