Local groups

We support a growing network of local groups across the UK and abroad, connecting SoA members at regular meet-ups and events. Run by members for members, local groups are a great way to meet fellow authors in your area, share knowledge, support and inspire one another.

Whenever a new group is set up or an event is scheduled in your area, we’ll email you to let you know. Local groups are currently running a mix of online and in person sessions.

Resources for current local group organisers are here.

Looking for a group near you but not yet an SoA member? You’re welcome to attend up to two local group meet-ups before we ask you to join the SoA to continue attending.

Find a group near you

Aberystwyth Group

Meet fellow authors in your area, share your work and discuss your current projects and publishing matters.

Meet fellow authors in your area, share your work and discuss your current projects and publishing matters. The group is very well-connected with links to Aberystwyth University, local arts organisations, and Wales-based publishers.

The group are currently meeting online (June and December) and in person (March and September) usually from 5.15pm on the second Tuesday of the month.

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Bath Group

Informal lunches featuring guest speakers

The Bath Group was established in 2018 and usually meet for lunch in central Bath. Events include practical talks by guest speakers with time to chat to fellow authors.

Meets Quarterly

Brighton & Worthing Group

Volunteer to organise informal meet-ups

The Brighton and Worthing Group was established in November 2018 as an informal gathering of local members to socialise, support and advise one another.

We are currently looking for a volunteer to run the group and arrange quarterly meet-ups. Please get in touch if you’re interested.

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local groups

Bristol Group

Informal coffee morning at the Watershed

The Bristol Group was established in 2018 and currently host a quarterly coffee morning for members to chat and connect, share advice and celebrate writing achievements. All members are welcome!

Meets Every two months
Contact: Local Groups

Cambridge Group

A friendly, easy going group wanting to stay connected with fellow authors in the area.

The Cambridge Group are a newly established group. We are currently planning to host a meet-up every two months, primarily in person such as picnics, local walks and gatherings linked to local book events, with the option of online meet-ups in the future.

Meets Every two months
Contact: Local Groups

Canterbury and East Kent Group

Informal meet-ups online and in Canterbury and Whitstable.

Established in June 2021, the group meet in Canterbury, Whitstable and online for informal sessions to network, share and learn from one another.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Chilterns Group

Informal meet-ups featuring themed discussions

The Chilterns Group was established in January 2021 and hosts a mix of online and in person meet-ups in Amersham. Sessions are informal and usually include a themed discussion or prompts to discuss our writing lives.

Meets Monthly

Cornish Chapter

Informal group meeting around five times a year - keen to encourage unpublished writers.

The Cornish Chapter is an informal group which meets around five times a year for lunch in Truro, sometimes featuring a guest speaker. We also have open forums on themes including agents and publishers and offer advice and support to one another.

Meets Quarterly

Cumbria and Lancaster

Informal online sessions to connect and share advice

The Cumbria and Lancaster Group was established in October 2021 for members in the north west to share advice and support one another. The group are currently meeting on Zoom and host a range of themed discussions and informal sessions. All members welcome from the surrounding area!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Devon Writers Group

Informal online sessions to chat and connect

Established in 2010, Devon Writers Group host monthly online sessions for members to connect, chat and share advice. New members are always welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Yves Potter

Dorset Group

Informal online and in person meet-ups to connect

This group started meeting in March 2021 and are currently host a mix of online and in person informal monthly sessions for members to meet fellow authors in the area.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Dunfermline and West Fife Group

Friendly gatherings for informal chat, advice and support.

Established in June 2021, the group meets on the last Friday of the month from 11am. Our meetings are unstructured and usually start with coffee and end with lunch. We are a small informal group who encourage and support each other’s creativity and professional writing lives. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly

East Anglian Writers

Events for authors across East Anglia

East Anglian Writers, based in Norwich, was formed in the 1960s. We aim to bring together professional authors working or living in Norfolk and Suffolk. We host a mix of in person and online events including discussions, talks and socials in the Norwich area.

Meets Quarterly

East Midlands Group

Friendly, informal meet-ups for authors to make connections in the East Midlands

The East Midlands Group was formed in 2018 and runs informal sessions for members to share advice, experiences, questions and words of wisdom on all things literary. The group alternate between monthly online and in person sessions at The Broadway, Nottingham. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Eastbourne, Lewes & Seaford Group

Informal meet-ups for authors to connect

Established in November 2020, the group run a mix of online and in person informal sessions to network, share and learn from one another. In person lunchtime and evening meet-ups rotate around the three locations. Sessions include themed discussions and socials, and sometimes feature guest speakers from industry.

Meets Monthly

Edinburgh Group

Monthly online and in person meet-ups

The Edinburgh Group was established in January 2023 and hosts a mix of online and in person meet-ups. We meet at Argonaut Books in Leith for an informal get together and both online and in person sessions offer member-led discussions and the opportunity to connect with fellow authors.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

France Group

Online sessions for discussions about writing.

Established in August 2022, the group hosts monthly online meet-ups for members across France. Sessions take place on Zoom and feature themed discussions and short talks about writing. All members welcome.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Glasgow Group

A friendly, easy going group keen to connect with as many local authors as possible

The Glasgow Group includes a mix of published and self-published authors in all kinds of genres through fiction, non-fiction, books for children, young adults and adults. Our primary focus is to support and encourage each other with our writing and by sharing our expertise and experience with each other. We meet once a month and rotate our venue between the South side, the West end and Zoom in order to make it easier for everyone to attend meetings.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Gloucestershire Group

Informal monthly meet-ups in Stroud

This group started meeting in December 2022 and host monthly in person meet-ups in Stroud for members to connect and share advice on writing. All welcome from the surrounding area.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Herefordshire Group

Informal meet-ups to chat and connect

The Herefordshire Group was founded in 2019 and now hosts a mix of online and in person meet-ups to chat and connect. Meet fellow authors in your area, discuss your work and support one another.

Online sessions are every two months (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm. On the second Tuesday of the intervening months (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov) we meet face to face at The Green Man, Fownhope, HR1 4PE at 12pm for an informal lunch and a chat. Please email group organiser Marilyn Pemberton to attend the lunch.

Meets Every two months

Hertfordshire Writers

Meets on the second Tuesday of every month for an informal chat and occasional talks.

Hertfordshire Writers was founded in 2016. The group hosts a mix of online and in person meet-ups in Hitchin on the second Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm. Meet-ups are informal and occasionally include a short talk and Q&A with a group member or themed discussion.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Matt Adcock

Highlands & Moray Group

Informal online sessions for authors in the Highlands.

Established in March 2023, the group host monthly online meet-ups for authors across the Scottish Highlands to connect and support one another. Online sessions feature themed discussions and are friendly and supportive.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Ireland Group

Online meet-ups to connect authors across Ireland

The Ireland Group started meeting in September 2021 for informal, supportive online sessions for authors to connect, share and learn from one another. All members welcome!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

London Non-Fiction Group

SoA non-fiction writers get together for an informal chat to share their work and current projects.

The London Non-Fiction Group was founded in 2019 and are currently meeting online. SoA non-fiction writers get together for an informal chat to share their work and current projects, sometimes including a short talk and Q&A with a group member or external speaker. The group is friendly and supportive and new members are always welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Manchester Group

Informal meet-ups in central Manchester.

Established in January 2020, the group currently meet on the first Friday of the month from 10am for an informal coffee and networking session, and the third Thursday of the month from 6.30pm. Sessions usually feature a themed discussion or talk from a group member, with time for general discussion and networking. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Monmouth Group

An informal meet-up for authors in the area to discuss their work and share advice on publishing.

The Monmouth Group meets on the first Friday of the month at 11am. This is an informal meet-up for authors in the area to discuss their work and share advice on publishing. Members from the surrounding borders with Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire are welcome!

Meets Monthly

Nice

Informal sessions for authors to discuss their work

We represent a wide variety of writers and usually meet for lunch at a Nice restaurant to discuss our work. All members are welcome!

Contact: Carol Howland

North Derbyshire Group

Informal online meet-ups

Informal online sessions for members across the area to chat, connect, share advice and support one another.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

North East Group

Informal online and in person meet-ups

The North East Group was established in November 2018. This group hosts monthly informal in person meet-ups for members across the area to chat, connect and share advice. Meet-ups usually feature a themed discussion or talk, followed by a Q&A and networking.

The group are currently planning their next meet-up for mid-April 2024 and details will be shared with members soon.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

North Wales Group

Informal online sessions to chat and connect

This group runs informal online sessions for authors across North Wales to connect and share advice, sometimes featuring a themed discussion or talk. Meet-ups are on the last Thursday of the month from 7pm on Zoom. All welcome!

Meets Every two months
Contact: Local Groups

Novelists in London

A friendly, informal group for fiction writers to get together, discuss their projects and support one another.

Novelists in London is a friendly, informal group for fiction writers to get together, discuss their projects and support one another. We meet online once a month and new members are always welcome.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Simon Cann

Oxfordshire Group

Informal meet-ups to chat and connect

Established in October 2020, the Oxfordshire Group host informal online sessions to chat and connect with authors in the area. Sessions usually include a themed discussion with time for social chat. The group also meet in person over the summer months, usually in central Oxford.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Scottish Borders Group

Friendly, informal get togethers in Kelso

A new group for 2024. We meet on the last Monday of the month, 10am-12pm in Kelso for an informal get together to meet fellow authors, discuss our work and share advice. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Iona McGregor

Scottish Islands Group

Informal monthly online meet-ups

The Scottish Islands Group started in September 2021 and runs monthly online sessions on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm for members to connect, learn and support one another. Members welcome from all scottish islands including Orkney, Shetland, and the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Scottish Non-Fiction Group

Informal online sessions for authors across Scotland

This new group began in April 2021 and hosts online sessions for non-fiction authors from across Scotland to discuss the business of writing, the publishing industry and share advice. We hope to meet in person in the future but will continue online sessions so as many authors from across Scotland can join.

The group is currently planning meet-ups for 2024.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Group

In person meet-ups to chat and connect

The Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells formed in April 2022 and host in person meet ups in both locations for members to meet fellow authors in their area, network and make connections.

Contact: Local Groups

Shropshire Group

Volunteer to help run the group

Established in March 2021, the group host regular online sessions for members across Shropshire to connect, share advice and support one another. Sessions include talks, discussions and workshops.

The group are in need of a volunteer to take over running the online sessions, so please get in touch if you’re interested.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Somerset Group

Informal meet-ups for authors across the area to connect and support one another

Established in March 2021, the Somerset Group hosts monthly online meet-ups for authors across the area to connect and support one another. Sessions often include a themed discussion or member-led talk to share advice and learn new skills. The group will continue online sessions to be as inclusive as possible and welcome new members.

Meets Monthly

Spain Group

Quarterly online meet-ups to chat and connect with fellow authors in Spain.

Established in May 2023, the group host quarterly informal online sessions on Zoom for SoA members in Spain to meet fellow authors and share current projects. New members welcome!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Surrey Group

Monthly lunches featuring author talks

The group meet for lunch in Guildford, usually featuring a speaker from the group on wide ranging topics about writing. Members pay for their own food and drink and guests are welcome.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Justine John

Tufnell Park Writers

A night down the pub with fellow writers for networking, discussion, entertainment and knowledge.

Tufnell Park Writers is a vibrant local group that features guest speakers, themed discussions, social events including summer picnics, Christmas parties and even the occasional excursion. If you are a writer seeking inspiration, support, improvement of knowledge or you just want to make some more author friends then this is the place for you.

With usually meeting on the first Wednesday of each month for a Prompt 7pm start, upstairs in The Lord Palmerston, Tufnell Park, NW5 1HU. We also have ad hoc extra-curricular dates for special guest speakers and social events.

Meets Monthly

Warwickshire Group

Informal sessions featuring talks and themed discussions

Established in April 2020, the Warwickshire Group host a regular creative writing coffee morning on the last Friday of the month in Leamington Spa. We also host occasional events in Kenilworth and Warwick, alongside regular online sessions. Events feature a themed discussion or talk and are informal for members to make connections and share advice on writing.

Meets Monthly

West Midlands Group

Social meet-ups online and in person

The West Midlands Group meet online for informal discussions and in person social meet-ups to support one another, share advice and celebrate writing achievements. The group are starting to meet again from March 2024 for regular catch ups, so now is a great time to join. New members always welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

West Yorkshire Group

Friendly and supportive meet-ups

The group started in March 2022 as a space to to support fellow authors, develop friendships, and share opportunities in the local area. The group host a quarterly in person meet-up between Leeds and Ilkley. If you know of a venue in your local area which we could use to host a meet-up, please get in touch. All members welcome!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Winchester Group

Quarterly meet-ups to chat and connect with fellow authors

Established in April 2023, the group host informal in person meet-ups in Winchester for SoA members to meet fellow authors and share current projects. New members welcome!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local groups

Writers of Essex

Quarterly informal meet-up for writers of all kinds and all genres.

Come along and meet fellow authors in your area, discuss your current projects and ideas, and chat about the highs and lows of writing. The group host a mix of online and in person meet-ups in the café area at Colchester Library and Community Hub.

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Sarah Banham