DC WRITERS' SALON

Affinity Circles

We often hear from members a desire to connect with fellow writers in their genre or in their stage of the process. It can be helpful to discuss writing pickles, exchange resources and know-how, and trade work for feedback. Affinity Circles are topical gatherings to help facilitate this kind of connection. Here's how they work:

  • Circles meet on Wednesdays from 7:45 - 9pm (and occasionally, Sundays from 11 - 12:30pm)
  • Our Fantasy & Sci-Fi genre circle meets every 1st Wednesday of the month
  • Three other circles meet once each season (February, April, June, and October)
  • All alternative Wednesdays can be pop-up Circles, organized by any member on any topic of interest
  • For each meeting, members can optionally submit writing OR a process question for feedback​

To organize a pop-up on any genre, stage, or craft (like query submitting, romance writers, effective dialogue, being a lawyer by day, children's authors, world building, etc.), email [email protected] with a preferred Wednesday OR Sunday and, optionally, an intention (feedback exchange, process discussion, analyze published work, prompted writing, etc.) so we can share with others. 

If you're interested in participating in a scheduled Circle, you can just show up on the date (listed below and on the calendar). Feedback submissions are due the Saturday before. Here is all you need to know on the submission process.
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Short Stories


Next dates:
April 9th & June 11th
Potential discussion topics:
What are your favorite short stories? How do you keep stories actually short? Where are you looking to share or publish your work?
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Poetry


Next dates:
March 19th, April 23rd, & June 25th
Potential discussion topics:
​What poetry collections, publications, or sites do you read? How do you balance feedback and intuition? From where do you source inspiration?
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Essays


Next dates:
April 16th & June 18th
Potential discussion topics:
What makes the form work? How do you balance truth telling and fallible memory? Where do you read or aspire to publish?
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Fantasy & Sci-Fi


Next dates:
Meets the 1st Wednesday of every month
Potential discussion topics:​
What tools help you organize? How do you distinguish between planning and procrastinating? What books or authors get you inspired? 
If you'd like to propose a genre or have other feedback, pop us a note at [email protected].

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1807 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009
To keep everyone safe, the Salon has a 100% Covid boosted policy. Please decline to join in person if you're not vaccinated.