Morris County Library > Reader Services > Writers' Group

@ 2004, Netra Shyam, The Hindu
writer

MCL Writers' Group

We meet the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30PM for two hours, in the library conference room. This group has people working on novels, short stories, mysteries, essays and poetry. We work hard, and we have a lot of fun. Please drop a note to coordinator Joanne Herb if you're interested. We're at capacity just now, but welcome guests.
Next meeting: October 16th

House rules
The work is under discussion, not the person.
Be as forthright, incisive and compassionate to others' work as you would want people to be to your own.
Prospective members are most welcome to come to a meeting and try us out. Please contact Joanne Herb in advance.

This group has established the rules below to encourage consistent participation.

Membership
  • 10 members maximum
  • Any genre, any type of writing accepted
  • All levels--experienced or inexperienced
  • Who is our audience? This group!
  • We are here to offer encouragement and to help improve and polish our work. If each piece is a baby, we're here to help it grow up and go out into the world.
  • This group exists to work on craft.
    Must be serious about writing.
    Must be willing to follow rules.
Rules & participation
Attend. Meetings are once a month, Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Morris County Library conference room. Three (3) consecutive absences will mean removal from the roster, unless there are extenuating circumstances, to be explained to group leader.
Submission deadlines:
1-2 pages: via e-mail 1 week prior to next meeting
5-15 pages: via email 2 weeks prior to next meeting
16-25 pages: via e-mail 3 weeks prior to next meeting.
One page = 1.5 inch margins, double spaced, approx. 250 words. This is to give each member enough time to read the work carefully and prepare a critique.
Critiques: Must give feedback on all work submitted. Prepare to be critiqued.
  • Critiques are not personal attacks. Critique the writing, not the author.
  • No apologies. Let the work speak for itself.
  • Members may resubmit or submit all new work.
  • All other members must be silent while one member has the floor during critiques. (This is to prevent discussion descending into back-and-forth rebuttals.)
  • Author is not allowed to speak until critique is through. (This gives all other members their say, and author gets full range of feedback.)
  • Time limits will be set at beginning of meeting, by group leader, depending upon amount of work submitted. 10 pages/15 minutes or 25 pages/30 minutes, for example.
  • Copy editing: (grammar, punctuation, etc.) should be marked on manuscript, but not required in verbal critique.
  • Members should give guidance when sending out manuscripts on level of critique requested. (Is this a first draft? Do particular sections need attention? Is this a finished chapter? etc.)
Recommended books on writing
April 2007
The Elements of Style, 4th ed., William Strunk & EB White Check catalog
Spunk & Bite, Arthur Plotnik Check catalog
How to Interpret Poetry, Laurie E. Rozakis Check catalog
A Poetry Handbook, Mary Oliver Check catalog
Writing mysteries: a handbook by the Mystery Writers of America Check catalog
Worlds of wonder: how to write science fiction and fantasy, David Gerrold Check catalog
How to write romances, Phyllis Taylor Pianka Check catalog
The Art and Craft of the Short Story, Rick DeMarinis Check catalog

http://www.mclib.info/wg.html
Morris County Library (NJ)
March 20, 2007