Creative endeavors are often seen as solitary activities—writers alone at their typewriters, painters toiling over a canvas, a lone potter at the wheel. And while these aren’t exactly group activities, like any part of the human experience, art is meant to be shared. When practiced in the community, these art forms are made stronger and more real. Luckily, for writers, several Denver writing clubs help foster a sense of community while sparking creativity.
From personal experience, I know that falling into a writer’s group is a delicate undertaking. Finding a supportive but productive space to grow your work and network takes trust and time. Thankfully, Denver offers several writing clubs and groups that lend themselves to productivity, creativity and relationship-building.
Lighthouse Writers
“The mission of Lighthouse Writers Workshop is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education, support, and community for writers and readers in the Rocky Mountain region and beyond. We strive to ensure that literature remains accessible and relevant in the culture and that individuals achieve their fullest potential as artists and human beings.”
For aspiring writers, this includes writing workshops, The Book Project, LitFest, and other programming and inspiration to take work from just a thought to the page. Workshops, classes and some events require an admission fee, indicating a certain level of seriousness and commitment for all participants.
Mile High Writers Workshop
“Founded in 2019, Mile High Writers’ Workshop allows published and unpublished authors a safe place to advance their writing skillset.” The group provides weekly, small group read-and-critique sessions in a welcoming and supportive environment for writers of all experience levels to give and receive feedback to improve their skills with a strategic eye to eventual publication.
Focused on workshops, Mile High Writers is a membership organization, however, they offer three free read-and-critiques for new attendees exploring the option. They also keep a calendar of other writing events, like “Meditate and Write In Community.”
Denver Woman’s Press Club
“Since 1898, the Denver Woman’s Press Club has provided a gathering place for professional women newspaper journalists and published authors to organize, socialize, and earn a living through writing.”
This Denver writing club boasts more than 200 members, “including journalists, novelists, magazine editors, essayists, freelance writers, poets, historians, and corporate and mass communications specialists.” Geared toward professionals and already published authors, the Denver Woman’s Press Club provides writers with a robust community, as well as public programs, author receptions and writing seminars. They also actively award scholarships to high school and university students.
Learn about membership here.
Stain’d Creative Writing Critique Group
Stain’d Arts has a creative writing critique group that meets weekly—Wednesdays, 6:30 PM—at Hooked on Colfax. “Stain’d Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit curating paid platforms for literary, visual and performative artists working outside of the dominant narrative.”
The creative writing workshop is just one of many events organized by Stain’d. They also produce publications for purchase to support their writers and artists.
DU Writers’ Club
Students can search on-campus for writing groups that meet their needs, like the DU Writers’ Club at Denver University. “The DU Writers’ Club is a community for writers of all backgrounds and skill levels, where aspiring authors, poets, essayists, theorists, and more can collaborate, [giving] students the opportunity to work with thought-provoking writing prompts and workshops for revision and editing processes.”
Denver Writes
For the kiddos in your life, consider Denver Writes programming for young writers’ workshops. Their mission is “to provide young writers in the Denver area with a supportive community and creative opportunities to express themselves through writing…by offering monthly workshops, intensive and expeditionary summer camps, and after-school programs.”