• Tennessee Resources for Writers

    Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee writing organizations you might want to check out:

     

    WriteByNight

    For more than a decade, WriteByNight has helped writers in Tennessee 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 CoachingIf 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.”

     

     

    Chattanooga Writers’ Guild

    Offers focused regular meetings for specific genres.

     

    Cumberland River Review

    A quarterly online publication of new poetry, fiction, essays and art.

     

    Grist

    An annual literary magazine, each issue features 200 pages of stories and poems, as well as interviews with writers and creative nonfiction devoted to discussions of craft.

     

    Killer Nashville

    An annual conference offering intense study, critiquing, networking and opportunities to speak with editors and agents.

     

    Meacham Writers’ Workshop

    Each fall and spring, this writing workshop is free and open to the public. The program consists of readings, discussion sessions and group conferences.

     

    The Pinch Journal

    One of the longest-running literary journals in the country. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction and artwork. Based at the University of Memphis.

     

    The Porch

    A literary center in Nashville offering writing workshops (eight weeks, six weeks, four weeks, and one-day), readings, writing retreats, and more for adults and children.

     

    Rockvale Writers’ Colony

    Offers writing residencies of one to four weeks, as well as monthly retreats and writing workshops, on sixty-five acres of farmland in College Grove, forty minutes outside Nashville. Each writer is afforded a private bedroom and bathroom, as well as kitchen access, in a former bed and breakfast.

     

    Sewanee Review

    America’s oldest continuously published literary quarterly. Fiction, poetry, essays and reviews.

     

    Sewanee Spoken Word

    A twice-monthly reading series, held the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at the Blue Chair in Sewanee.

     

    Sewanee Writers’ Conference

    This annual conference is one of the most highly regarded of its kind. Offers discussions, seminars, readings and writing workshops.

     

    Southern Lit Alliance

    Offers many events and programming for both adult and youth writers. Based in Chattanooga.

     

    Spartan City Poetry Club

    Open to poets in and around Memphis, the Spartan City Poetry Club meets one Saturday per month for “soulful poetry readings, awesome games, and talented special guests.” The club is free, and is dedicated to helping poets not only with their writing, but also their stage presence.

     

    MTSU Write

    A three-semester program in creative writing at Middle Tennessee State offering one-on-one mentorship, a summer writing retreat, and a literary journal, SHIFT.

     

    Help us add to this list, Tennesseans! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Tennessee literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here