Pennsylvania Writing Groups, Workshops, and Creative Writing Classes
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania writing resources are worth checking out.
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Writing Organizations & Groups
A writing community offering regular critique meetings, an annual short story competition, publishing opportunities, and an anthology series featuring fiction by emerging and established writers. (Bethlehem / Lehigh Valley)
A long-running critique group for writers of fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction, meeting twice monthly via Zoom with an emphasis on preparing members’ work for publication. (Bucks County / Online)
A writing group meeting three times monthly, both online and at locations around Central Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and Harrisburg), to critique works in progress, discuss craft and publishing, and help writers develop their work. (Central Pennsylvania / Online)
The Creative Nonfiction Foundation
A Pittsburgh-based nonprofit supporting writers of true stories through publications, educational programs, workshops, events, and other resources devoted to the art and craft of creative nonfiction. (Pittsburgh)
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group
A regional writing organization offering regular meetings, educational programs, networking opportunities, and the annual Write Stuff Writers Conference for writers across genres and experience levels. (Lehigh Valley)
A long-running poetry organization offering readings, open mics, workshops, master classes, critique circles, competitions, and other literary events throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. (Greater Philadelphia)
A statewide writing organization connecting writers through regional groups, critique opportunities, online classes, educational programs, networking, and other resources focused on craft and publication. (Statewide)
A nonprofit literary organization publishing writers and artists from the Greater Delaware Valley while also offering writing workshops, master classes, pitch events, contests, readings, and other professional development for writers. (Philadelphia)
A creative writing program offering ongoing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, and other genres, along with manuscript workshops and individual coaching. (Philadelphia)
Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts
A literary center at Bucknell University supporting writers through readings, residencies, workshops, literary programs, and opportunities including the Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing and Bucknell Seminar for Undergraduate Poets. (Lewisburg)
A nonprofit literary organization offering workshops, readings, open studios, and community writing programs for teens and adults, including programs serving incarcerated writers and people in recovery or transition. (Pittsburgh)
Conferences, Retreats & Residencies
An annual full-day writing conference offering craft and publishing sessions, manuscript critiques, and opportunities for writers to pitch their work directly to literary agents and editors. (Philadelphia)
River Heron Review Retreat & Recharge
A multi-day writing retreat in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains offering workshops, manuscript or poem critiques, dedicated writing time, outdoor activities, lodging, and meals in a small-group setting. (Pocono Mountains)
Literary Magazines & Publishers
A nationally distributed literary magazine publishing contemporary poetry, translations, criticism, interviews, and essays, with a longstanding mission to bring poets and literary writing to a broad audience. (Philadelphia)
A national literary journal devoted to jazz-related writing, publishing poetry, fiction, nonfiction, interviews, and other work exploring jazz and its cultural influence. (Williamsport)
A literary journal published by Chatham University’s MFA program featuring fiction, nonfiction, and poetry exploring nature, place, landscape, and the relationships between people and their environments. (Pittsburgh)
An independent nonprofit literary magazine founded in Philadelphia in 1973, publishing fiction, poetry, prose, and other literary work online, along with an annual print edition and literary podcast. (Philadelphia)
A Bucks County–based online poetry journal publishing contemporary poets while also offering workshops, readings, contests, manuscript programs, and other opportunities for writers. (Bucks County / Online)
An online literary journal affiliated with Wilkes University’s Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, publishing fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and other work by emerging and established writers. (Wilkes-Barre / Online)
A nonprofit literary journal and community organization serving the Pennsylvania Wilds, publishing regional writing, photography, and art while also supporting local literary events and writers. (Brookville / Pennsylvania Wilds)
A nationally recognized literary journal published by Bucknell University’s Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts, featuring poetry, fiction, essays, and reviews by emerging and established writers. (Lewisburg)
Help us add to this list, Pennsylvanians! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Pennsylvania literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here. We periodically review these listings for broken links and outdated information.