Writing Groups

Please note: this is by no means a comprehensive list, but only those groups who share their information with us. If you know of more groups who are open to receiving new members, please let us know.

The Maritime Writers' Social Group

Writing can be a lonely act. But it doesn’t have to be. The Maritime Writers Social Club is for Maritime writers at any stage — aspiring, beginner or professional. It’s not a how-to-write group, although we do talk about the business of writing at times and members are encouraged to ask questions or share writing, but more about getting together with other writers to chat, talk writing, or simply have a coffee. Our goal is for members of shared geographical areas to create regular meet-ups with the hope of a larger Maritime gathering eventually. Membership is free. Look for us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/937566541727118

Sussex

SUSSEX & AREA WRITERS’ AND AUTHORS’ GROUP 

SUSSEX REGIONAL LIBRARY, 46 Magnolia Ave. Sussex, NB

Free membership to anyone with an interest in writing, whether published or unpublished. If you have an interest in writing, whether it is fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, short verse, epigrams or greeting card ideas or rhymes, you are welcome to attend.

Please register by email, giving full name only: Sussexwritersgroup@gmail.com

Or call: 506-432-4585 Or drop into the library in person to register.

Fredericton

For Fredericton/Oromocto, contact Ann Kitching (Dog Eared Books) almkitching@outlook.com with any questions--kindly write "Writers Group" in the subject line.

Lou Ellen Mielke Somerville tells us about FredNoWriMo, which is a collection of Fredericton NaNoWriMo participants who are always open to accepting new members/participants. Check out their private Facebook group. They are doing virtual events and aim to get back into having in-person events - primarily from late October to early December. There is also CampNaNo in April and July. Lou Ellen is one of two Municipal Liaisons this year.

Freddy Words (a public Facebook group) is connected, though not currently as active and not specifically tied to NaNo. It was (and hopefully will be again) a year-round group.

Saint John

Jeremy Cairns tells us about Saint John Writers (SJW), which meets every Sunday. They welcome a wide variety of ages and different types of writers. They are about getting together and producing, rather than exchanging work or reading aloud. They write from 10 am-11:30 am and then they sit and discuss narrative, character development, publishing, etc. https://saintjohnwriters.wordpress.com/

• Saint John Writers - Every Sunday, 10am-12 @ The Write Cup
• Saint John Voices - Last Sunday of the month @ The Write Cup
• Saint John Publishing Forum - Saint John Library

BTW - Saint John Voices features a published writer and a merch table every month where they can sell their books. If any WFNB writers would like to participate, it’s a great way to get in front of a crowd and possibly sell a few copies. All proceeds go to the author. Beyond the featured reader, it’s an open mic where readers get approx. 7 minutes. We have a panel of experts offering feedback to readers if they choose to receive it.

John Hanson tells us that Fog City Scribes has become a loose connection for writers in the Saint John area, originally formed for NaNoWriMo.

Amanda Evans and Jaimie McGivery tell us about Write Now Saint John, which is a social writing group which takes place every other Thursday evening (the next one is Thursday, September 21st) at Homeport Inn on Douglas Avenue. They review work, do activities, and have social events. The proprietor of the Homeport Inn is Lane Mack and her husband’s name is Neil. https://www.homeportinn.ca Email: stay@homeportinn.ca

Community Events

Moncton

Fredericton

Saint John

March Events at The Write Cup Bookstore Café

March 8, 2026 – 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Luke Francis Beirne, author reading & signing

Author Luke Francis Berine will be at The Write Cup Bookstore Café to read from one of his three novels: Fox Hunt, Black Lion, and Saints Rest. Luke is an amazing author who loves to share what he knows about writing and to help the community grow. Have questions on how to write or about his writing journey? Come on in and ask, you’ll learn a lot.

March 14,  2026 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Have you ever thought you’d like to be a tour guide? Workshop by David Goss

Let David Goss, Walk n’ Talk specialist since 1978 share how he has shared Saint John as a tour guide, and how you might do the same as he is looking for people to continue a program that has had a great deal of success, and can continue to do so.

Saint John is a wonderful place to offer guided tours. Not only do we have heritage character in our uptown core, we have natural beauty in places like the Irving Nature Park, Rockwood Park, and in surrounding areas that visitors find charming, like Rothesay, St. Martins, New River Beach, and Grand Bay- Westfield. Over the past almost 50 years, David has led walking and coach tours to all these areas, (and many more) and has built up a huge resource of stories, and tips for presentation that he will share on this one day workshop. In addition, David will offer ideas on how you might get involved in doing what he has enjoyed doing.

Today, most guides have to take training to be certified. This program will not offer certification, but is meant to whet your appetite to the point that you will seek to move to become a professional in this field. It is designed to acquaint you with the hows and wherefores of carrying out a successful tour guiding program but pointing out the good and the bad of being a guide.

One of the good points is that you look at your surrounding very differently, as you know stories you can relate about various historic and natural areas you see day by day, but really don’t know much about. There is a great joy in this, not only personally, but in passing the information along, and hearing your listeners say, “Wow, I didn’t know that.” You will find this to be a heartwarming experience and that knowing your city well makes is a much more interesting place in which to live. ( And for fiction writers, possibly ideas to use in developing stories that incorporate our history and historic structures unique sites.)

David will also point out some pitfalls to being a guide. You do have to be on top of situations, ready to deliver lively and entertaining tours, no matter how tired your body is, and how much your stomach is groaning, and you have to have the stamina to do it day in and day out sometimes for weeks at a time.

David will have his Walk n Talk guidelines with him for perusal, and point out how you can build your own resources as time permits by selecting a specific area to become deeply acquainted with, to research carefully and then to deliver a programs in. An example will be given and we will work on it as a group.

Don’t expect to come away from the day as an expert, but only to what your appetite and decide if what David shares would interest you in following up with further training and the offering of programs. This workshop will take place on the premises of the Write Cup Café and Book Store on Saturday, March 14 from 10-3. There will be four one hour sessions, with a break at noon for lunch. There will be time for personal consultation at noon, or when the four sessions end at 3:00 pm. There will be plenty of material to look over that David has used, which will inspire you to seek out similar items for your own use. Cost is $25.00, and preregistration and prepayment are necessary by March 7, 2026, and can be paid for in-store or via etransfer to Shannon at shannon@partridgeislandpublishing.ca If you have any questions, please get in touch with David Goss at gosswalk@nbnet.nb.ca

March 15, 2026 – 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Allan Johnson, author reading & signing

You're invited  to bring your little ones to see Allan Johnson on March 15th at 2 pm at The Write Cup Bookstore Cafe. He will read his latest children's book, Mr. Myles BIG Feelings, and sign books. We hope to see you all there!

March 20, 2026 – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Author reading and Children’s book writing workshop with Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail.

Do you have the perfect story for children, but don’t know how to get started? Have you ever wanted to create a storybook for your kids or grandchildren? Are you looking for something to do with the kids on a Friday afternoon? Author Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail will be at The Write Cup Bookstore café on Friday, March 20, 2026, to read from her books and to host a workshop on writing children’s books. This is an amazing opportunity to get started on the path to writing a children’s book, spend time with an award-winning author, and learn what it’s like to publish a book.Come on in and enjoy an afternoon of learning.

March 21, 2026 – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Sara Moginot, author reading and Children’s crafty event.

Sara Moginot, author of Are You My Puppy? Will be at The Write Cup Bookstore Café for a full afternoon of reading and crafty adventures for children. The afternoon will start and end with a reading of Are You My Puppy? And will include arts and crafts for children of all ages. This is a free event, and all the supplies are provided for participants. Come on out and have some fun.

March 22, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Conveying Emotion through Sensation workshop by Mandie Dufour

This workshop is designed to get to the heart of emotions and sensations. Some people go cold with anger. Some people go into a fiery rage with their blood pumping painfully in their ears. Learning how you and others feel different emotions will help deepen your characters and avoid carbon copy emotions. This is a great workshop to learn more about yourself, your characters, and others.

March 29, 2026 – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Saint John Voices

A literary open mic event. Sign-up is at 6:00 pm, and reading starts at 6:30 pm. We feature prose, poetry, and plays. Readers have 7 minutes to read their piece. Experts are available to offer feedback upon request. Anyone can sign up to read, locals and visitors alike.

April 4, 2026 – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Micaela Ellis author signing and presentation

Micaela Ellis is the author of two memoirs: Autism Over The Years: A Twelve-Year-Old’s Memoir and Reflections: An Autistic Teen’s Journey, and she will be at The Write Cup Bookstore Café from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm to sign her books. From 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Micaela will give a presentation on what it is like to grow up with Autism and how she views the world differently from others.

April 11, 2026 – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Two Jordans!

Authors Jordan Trethewey and Jordan Stewart will be at The Write Cup Bookstore Café with their books of poetry and short stories and they are going to put on a show! Come on in for a great afternoon of thought-provoking, whimsical entertainment!

April 18, 2026 – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: New-Fangled Rose by Sue Sinclair

Come join us to help author Sue Sinclair launch her new book, New-Fangled Rose! Join us for an author reading, Q&A, and a wonderful chat with an amazing author. This is sure to be an entertaining evening with specialty drinks, autographs, and stories.

Workshops