Maine Writing Resources
Posted by David Duhr in 
Maine is next in our series of State Writing Resources, leading the charge with its motto “Dirigo,” which means, naturally, “I lead.” You’d think that with a state nickname like “Vacationland” Mainers wouldn’t get much writing done, but somehow writers like Sarah Orne Jewett, Edna Millay, Ron Currie Jr. and word factory Stephen King fought, or continue to fight, through the vacation blahs and, well, dirige.
Presented in no particular order, here are ten Maine writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you live in Vacationland (!) or are planning a move there, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.
1) Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance
Founded in 1975, this nonprofit membership organization works to enrich the literary life and culture of Maine. They are the only statewide organization solely devoted to supporting and promoting Maine’s writers, publishers, booksellers and literary professionals.
2) Nature and Environmental Writers – College and University Educators
NEW-CUE, Inc. is a nonprofit, environmental education organization founded primarily to assist writers and educators who are dedicated to enhancing the public’s awareness of environmental issues.
3) Stonecoast Writers’ Conference
Students work closely with distinguished faculty composed of award-winning writers. Choose from workshops in four genres: poetry, short fiction, novel and nonfiction/memoir.
4) Central Maine Writers Group
A group of mostly Maine writers who meet monthly to share, learn from each other, grow and be encouraged.
Off the Coast seeks to become recognized around the world as Maine’s international poetry journal, a publication that prizes quality, diversity and honesty in its publications and in its dealings with poets.
An annual independent literary review proudly founded in Knightville, Maine. Showcases newcomers alongside established writers, and juxtaposes tradition with experiment to create a new dialogue.
A nonprofit writing center in Portland, Maine dedicated to the idea that children and young adults are natural storytellers. Focused on young writers ages 6 to 18, they seek to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for their students. The Telling Room believes that the power of creative expression can change our communities and prepare our youth for future success.
8) Writers Conference at Ocean Park
Annual 5-day conference with workshops, readings, a keynote speaker and more.
An organization of Maine writers actively engaged in creating poetry.
10) Words from the Frontier: Poetry in Maine
Captures the unique voice of contemporary Maine poets in a lively, sound-rich radio program for broadcast and the Internet.
Help us add to this list, Mainers! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.