If you’ve ever wanted to become a writer, now is the time. The writing sector is expected to grow a whopping 9% in the next decade!
But writing comes with its own set of challenges. Writers need fresh ideas, excellent grammar skills, and a way with words. Sometimes, the dreaded writer’s block hits, and inspiration refuses to strike.
And that’s where online writing communities come in! If you dream of becoming a writer, consider joining one of the many valuable online writing groups and forums for authors.
Below, we’ve rated our best picks in various categories. So, whether you’re an amateur or professional, sci-fi writer or romance novelist, we’ve got the best writing websites for you to join.
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Science Fiction Lovers: Chronicles
With over 20,000 members and a very active forum, the Chronicles writing community is an immense space for sci-fi lovers. Registration is always free, and the members are very welcoming!
The site features a massive forum that regularly posts writing challenges and contests. Movie, book, and art discussions often pop up as well. And when you want to be a reader rather than an author, you can check out the book review page.
Chronicles provide helpful guides focused on publishing, grammar, and critiques. So whether you’re just starting out, or you’re a pro who needs a little push, you’ll find what you need here.
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Romantic Storytellers: Wattpad
Wattpad is one of the best writers communities online. At over 15 years old, it has more than 300,000 writers from around the world and is available in 50 languages. This sizable community accepts any genre of storytelling, but romance is at its core.
Known for its notoriously relaxed moderators, Wattpad is full of romance stories of all kinds. Historical, aliens, horror – whatever your niche, Wattpad has it.
The community also provides access to writing resources, forums, and contests. Wattpad Books, the in-house publishing division, often selects writers for book deals. There are even opportunities for tv and movie contracts!
Poets and Short Story Writers: Fictionaut
While it’s not strictly for poets, a good chunk of Fictionaut revolves around poetry. Short stories and other creative writing are also popular on this poetry and writing club website.
Fictionaut is a small writers community, with only around 5,000 members, but it’s very active. The layout is simple: a forum, groups, and user profiles. Anyone can join and publish their writing, free of charge.
No contests, publishing deals, or resources here. Just a lot of heartfelt, funny, real stories. If you enjoy various types of journaling in your spare time, you might feel like you’re reading a private journal as you browse. Exhilarating, but familiar!
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Fantasy Fans: Mythic Scribes
Fantasy writing can be one of those cliquey writing clubs that’s impossible to break into. But Mythic Scribes makes it simple to join a community of like-minded people.
The site features a very active forum that includes general discussion, publishing, and fantasy worlds. But the most valuable aspect of Mythic Scribes is the portfolio section. Members can create online portfolios for potential agents, employers, and fans to see.
As a writer, having a well-built portfolio is essential to your success. The portfolio section takes all the guesswork out of building a website, giving you the tools to succeed.
Aspiring Screenwriters: Talentville
Do you have Hollywood dreams? Aspiring screenwriters need to join Talentville, a community focused on scripts and stories. It boasts over 11,000 incredibly active members.
You can upload one drama, sitcom, or screenplay script for free. You’ll receive feedback from members and get access to all the forums and groups. But there are upgraded memberships if you want to upload extra scripts.
Memberships cost $39 and $99 a year, depending on the tier you choose. But regardless of which option you land on, you will have access to that critical reader base to review your script.
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Horror Fanatics: Critters Writers Workshop
Stephen King lovers, rejoice! Critters Writers Workshop is here to produce the next generation of horror writers. This legendary, 25-year old writing community welcomes all horror lovers, new or old.
They offer online workshops on all topics related to writing horror. The workshops feature member critiques and feedback on your submitted manuscripts. The downside is that there are no forums or discussion groups available.
But if you’re serious about publishing the next great horror novel, Critters is a valuable resource. Use their free workshops, feedbacks, and publishing lists to your advantage!
Female Writers: She Writes
She Writes is a publishing platform for women writing in any genre. Besides publishing, the site also offers marketing, editing, and promotion services.
One of the only online writing groups for women, it maintains over 34,000 members! The site is packed with helpful guides and tips, interviews with writers, and personal stories. You can also join one of the 500 groups to connect with like-minded women.
She Writes Press, an independent publisher, can help get your story out into the world! With a $35 submission fee, you can send in your manuscript for consideration.
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Teens and Young Adults: Young Writers Society
For teens looking to break into the writing world, the Young Writers Society is a good place to start. As one of the most prominent youth writing groups online, everyone can find their place here!
From poetry to short stories to novels, you can post any type and genre of writing you want. Members can review others’ work and join clubs and forums. A unique roleplay forum allows writers to work on character development.
Moderators do an excellent job of mentoring young writers and keeping the site clean. Membership is free and open to anyone!
The Adventurous: NaNoWriMo
If you’re looking for a challenge and some adventure, you need to join NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month is a crazy concept where you set out to write a whole novel in one month.
Although that’s the basis of the project, members can also work at their own pace. The website is excellent at motivating and keeping writers on track. It helps them set and achieve milestones, track progress, and connect with other writers.
Are you in the middle of your novel and just stumbled upon writer’s block? This might be the push you need! Membership is free for everyone, and they also have a Young Writers Program.
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For Help and Advice: Insecure Writer’s Support Group
The name says it all. Every writer has moments of doubt and insecurity, and no one is exempt from feeling not good enough. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a safe place to air your thoughts.
Members can post about their struggles and receive advice, feedback, and encouragement. The website also offers a vast amount of free writing resources to get you back on track.
For some real-time discussion, join the Facebook group and connect with almost 5,000 members. Chances are they’ll understand your struggles and help you find some creative solutions!
For Feedback: Critique Circle
Feedback is a critical step in the writing process. You might think you have the greatest novel on Earth, but if people can’t connect with it, it’s not going to sell.
The Critique Circle deals exclusively with providing this valuable service. Every genre, style, and format is welcome, and the whole thing works on a reciprocity system. Get critiqued and critique right back!
There’s no membership fee, but you can pay for the premium access, which gives you some perks. The website has been up and running since 2003, with almost one million critiques in their books!
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Best Overall: Scribophile
In the best writing website overall category is Scribophile, an extensive community that really has everything! This huge digital space contains:
- Approximately 160,000 writing forum threads
- Over 5 million posts
- More than 240,000 submitted works
- Almost 1.5 million critiques
Joining Scribophile gives you access to an audience, feedback, and publishing information. The friendly writing community and active forums are a big bonus!
The community is consistently voted one of the best writing websites. It was also chosen as the Top Critique Circle in 2020, according to Reedsy. And if earning money is one of your goals of being an author, Scribophile holds cash writing contests!
Benefits of Joining a Writers Community
Now that we covered the best communities for every type of writer, let’s take a quick look at the benefits of joining. When you become part of one or more online writing groups, you often get:
- Access to contests and challenges
- Encouragement and advice from members
- An audience or beta readers
- A library of writing resources and guides
- Opportunities for workshops and classes
- A place to post your work for the public
- Free promotion and marketing for your writing
People often say that writing is a solitary job, but it actually takes a village. Without the feedback, motivation, and help of a community, it can be tough to reach your goals.
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Online Writing Communities to Help You Grow!
Romance, horror, and poetry – there are online writing communities for everyone, no matter your writing level, style, genre, or tribe! There are even inclusive writers forums that welcome every genre, for those with a varied taste.
Finding the right community is essential to success in every aspect of your life.
Merci pour ces précieuses informations 🤗