New Jersey Resources for Writers
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in New Jersey, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or simply a place to hang out with writers or submit your work, these are some New Jersey writing organizations you might want to check out:
WriteByNight
For more than a decade, WriteByNight has helped writers in New Jersey and beyond achieve their literary goals. And we want you to be next! Claim your free consultation to learn about WBN’s customizable one-on-one writers’ services, including:
Book Coaching: If you’re writing a book and want some help along the way.
Manuscript Critique: If you’ve written a book and want a beta read, critique, or writing workshop.
Editing/Proofreading: If you’ve written a book and want someone to polish it for you.
Publication Assistance: If you’ve written a book and want help finding an agent or publisher.
Not ready to chat? That’s cool. Until you are, why not sign up for our weekly message full of education and inspiration for writers and aspiring writers. You’ll also receive a free diagnostic tool, “Common problems and SOLUTIONS for the struggling writer.”
Althea Ward Clark W ’21 Reading Series
A reading series offered by the Lewis Center for Creative Writing at Princeton.
Encourages writers to explore structure, voice and characterization through writing workshops in any style of writing they choose: poetry, creative nonfiction and short-story writing.
Closing off six blocks of streets in Collingswood, the festival is filled with nationally recognized authors/speakers for adults and children, as well as booksellers, storytellers, poetry readings, writing workshops, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities and other entertainment for all ages.
Founded in 1952, the DVP is a group of more than seventy writers, and offers monthly writing workshops.
Brings together established and emerging voices, as well as local and visiting writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Events take place in Montclair at the Red Eye Cafe.
An organization that supports the literary and creative writing community at The College of New Jersey. Offers readings, visiting writers and an arts festival.
A community of dedicated scribes who seek to develop and explore their craft in a fun and open social setting. Offers writing workshops and more.
Liberty States Fiction Writers
Open to both published and unpublished fiction writers, LSFW offers networking and promotion to its members, as well as writing workshops, discussions, meet-ups, its annual Liberty States Fiction Writers and Readers Conference, and more.
The second-oldest undergraduate literary magazine in the nation and the oldest student publication at Princeton University. Publishes prose, poetry and artwork.
Opened in April 2018 by the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association, this community space in Camden offers writing workshops for children and adults, as well as a lecture series, panel discussions, film screenings, and much more.
Challenging and supportive sessions, insightful feedback, and an encouraging community. Offers small, intensive writing workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and memoir.
The mission of the Poetry Center is to provide poetry events and workshops to a diverse audience and to provide opportunities for poets by offering contests, awards, a journal, anthologies, reference materials and conferences.
Aims to reach the common reader in everyone and to provide a particular experience of reading, one that nurtures an engaged and questioning approach to cultural texts of all sorts: literary, artistic, political, historical, sociological, even scientific.
Rutgers/Camden Summer Writers’ Conference
An intensive program of workshops and readings, featuring a staff of nationally-known writers, poets and editors.
Meets the third Thursday of every month for topic-based discussions/presentations, led by published authors or publishing experts. Also offers write-ins, critique groups, and more.
Tour the great poet’s house.
William Paterson Writers Conference
An annual conference which offers a day of writing workshops and readings in creative writing, literature and publishing.
An organization dedicated to the power of the writer’s voice, it offers writing workshops, readings, yoga and a writing retreat in Greece.
A support group for writers offering weekly genre-specific discussion groups, monthly readings, and more.
A lively community of writers of all ages and interests, the Writers Circle offers creative writing workshops for children and adults in South Orange, Summit, and Maplewood.
A community of published and unpublished authors with an interest in the “weird” genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Operates in affiliation with the Science Fiction Association of Bergen County.
Seminars and writing workshops in Englewood Cliffs.
Help us add to this list, New Jerseyans! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a New Jersey literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here