Indiana Writing Groups, Workshops, and Creative Writing Classes

Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Indiana, from conferences to local critique groups, workshops, and creative writing classes. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, a workshop or class, a place to connect with other writers, or somewhere to submit your work, these Indiana writing resources are worth checking out.

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Writing Organizations & Groups

Central Indiana Writers’ Association

A nonprofit multi-genre writing organization offering monthly Zoom meetings, guest speakers, writing exercises, poetry readings, and other programs for published and unpublished writers. (Central Indiana / Online)

 

Indiana Authors Awards

A biennial statewide awards program administered by Indiana Humanities recognizing outstanding books by Indiana authors while also supporting literary programming, author appearances, and connections between writers and readers. (Statewide)

 

Indiana Writers Center

A nonprofit literary organization offering creative writing classes, workshops, community outreach, publishing resources, and the annual Gathering of Writers conference for writers of all ages and experience levels. (Indianapolis)

 

Michiana Writers Workshop

A regional writing group meeting monthly via Zoom to critique manuscripts, share writing and publishing information, and support writers from northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. (Michiana / Online)

 

Women Writing for (a) Change

A Bloomington writing community offering classes, workshops, retreats, and other programs for writers of all experience levels, with an emphasis on writing as a tool for personal and community transformation. (Bloomington)

 

The Writers Guild at Bloomington

A nonprofit literary organization offering readings, open mics, writing gatherings, public performances, and other programs designed to strengthen Bloomington’s writing community. (Bloomington / Online)

 

Conferences, Retreats & Residencies

Gathering of Writers

An annual conference presented by the Indiana Writers Center featuring a full day of craft classes in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and other genres, along with opportunities to connect with established and emerging Indiana writers. (Indianapolis)

 

Indiana University Writers’ Conference

One of the country’s longest-running writers’ conferences, traditionally offering workshops, classes, panels, readings, and instruction in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The conference is on hiatus in 2026 while organizers plan its next chapter. (Bloomington)

 

Indiana Writing Workshop

An annual full-day writing conference focused on craft and publication, featuring classes, manuscript critiques, and opportunities to pitch literary agents and editors. (Indianapolis)

 

Midwest Writers Workshop

A longstanding writing organization offering an annual summer conference, online publishing programs, master classes, agent events, and other opportunities focused on craft and professional development. (Indiana / Online)

 

Literary Magazines & Publishers

Booth

A literary journal hosted by Butler University’s MFA program, publishing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, interviews, and other literary work online and in print. (Indianapolis)

 

Flying Island

The online literary journal of the Indiana Writers Center, publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by writers from Indiana and the broader Midwest. (Indianapolis / Online)

 

Indiana Review

A biannual literary magazine published by Indiana University Bloomington featuring fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and other contemporary work by emerging and established writers. (Bloomington)

 

Indiana University Press

A major university press publishing scholarly and general-interest books across the humanities and social sciences, including works related to literature, culture, regional history, and the arts. (Bloomington)

 

The Indianapolis Review

A quarterly online literary journal publishing poetry, visual poetry, and art, with a particular interest in contemporary voices and work connected to Indianapolis and Indiana. (Indianapolis / Online)

 

Help us add to this list, Indiana writers! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or an Indiana literary journal or publisher we should be aware of? Let us know here. We periodically review these listings for broken links and outdated information.