Wordsmith Writing Coaches offers three kinds of writers' groups:
- PRESS, to maximize your writing productivity and pace;
- SLAKE, to refine your writing craft and learn to publish wisely;
- Writing Labs, where you can drop in for practical help and moral support with whatever writing task you are working on.
The first two groups are geared for writers and authors, those who have chosen writing as a vocation or career. SLAKE and PRESS may seem very different but they are actually opposite sides of the same coin, the currency of a writers' life. Join one of them and you'll automatically gain access to the other. You need not attend both, but many people do, It is a fun and helpful little community.
(It is also an amazing bargain for the amount of time we spend with you! Do the math. It barely covers our Zoom costs!)
The third group is geared for those who need help from time to time, who don't want the hassle of making a commitment to a particular group or making formal appointments. Students, professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, anyone who needs convenient spontaneous access to an editor or writing coach, will love this option. Think of it as keeping Wordsmith Writing Coaches "on retainer:" if your need overflows the time limit of the group we will bill you for the additional time as usual, but those first four hours will be deeply discounted.
All three groups are geared to help you in practical ways right now, while also equipping and empowering you to grow as a writer over time— to learn new strategies and hone your skills.
Just one visit will help you in the moment.
Consistent participation over time will help you a great deal more.
Here's how they compare:
SLAKE
(Includes PRESS)

Meets once a month on the last Sunday evening of the month, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Pacific Time.
Limited to ten critique participants per meeting.
Submission deadline is ten days before the meeting date: late submissions will be held for the following month.
Focuses on learning the writing business (traditional, independent, and hybrid publication, freelance writing, that sort of thing) and honing the writing craft (every aspect of it, for fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, professionals, and creative entrepreneurs).
Includes membership in PRESS!
PRESS
(Includes SLAKE)

Meets via Zoom on Monday and Thursday evenings, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pacific Time (UTC -7). Check the weekly email for details!
No limit to the number of participants per session.
No submissions: set your own goals, share your own struggles and victories.
Focuses on doing the work, not critiquing the work!
Includes membership in SLAKE!
Writing Labs
(Regular one-on-one help!)

Writing Labs meet Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Pacific Time (UTC -7). For $120 you get four cumulative hours per month of help with your writing, from whichever Wordsmith Associate happens to be available at that time.
Limited to four drop-in participants per coachat any one time, but people come and go, so if you find yourself in a Waiting Room, don't despair.
Bring us anything: application letters, bio blurbs, blog posts, research papers, scripts, poetry, love letters, slide stacks, speeches, website copy, we'll help you get it right. We focus on solving problems, learning skills, mastering specific tasks.
Try it with a 7-Day Free Trial!
*PLEASE NOTE: The Wordsmith Writing Coaches office is currently closed in accordance with city and county contagion-control guidelines. Because of this, all writers' groups will meet online only.
You can find our California State-Mandated Risk Assessment and Protocols here. These will govern the reopening of the Wordsmith office. Contact us directly with any further questions.