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

Bath

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 Occasionally
Contact: Local Groups

Belfast & Beyond

Friendly gatherings for informal chat and support

The Belfast & Beyond group was established in January 2024 and meets for coffee on the last Saturday of each month in central Belfast. We provide a friendly, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local SoA members. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Brighton & Hove

Meetings to discuss topics in writing and publishing

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

Meets Bimonthly
Contact: Local Groups

Bristol

Informal meetings to chat and connect

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 Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Cambridge

A friendly, easygoing group for connecting with fellow local authors

The Cambridge Group meets quarterly, primarily in person for picnics, pub visits, local walks and gatherings linked to local book events.

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Canterbury and East Kent

Volunteer to organise informal meet-ups

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

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

Contact: Local Groups

Cumbria and Lancaster

Informal 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 quarterly in person, hosting a range of themed discussions and informal sessions. All members welcome from the surrounding area!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Devon Writers

Informal online sessions to chat and connect

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

Contact: Local Groups

Dorset

Informal online and in person meet-ups to connect

This group started meeting in March 2021 and currently host informal monthly sessions in Dorchester for members to meet fellow authors in the area.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Dunfermline and West Fife

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
Contact: Local Groups

East London

Friendly gatherings to chat and connect

The East London Group is new in 2025. The group hosts monthly meetings around East London, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local authors. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

East Midlands

Friendly, informal meet-ups for authors to make connections

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 host in person sessions in Nottingham and Leicester, and occasionally online. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

East Riding of Yorkshire

Informal meet-ups to chat and connect

A group of writers spanning from Hull to York, started in 2024. We host monthly social meet ups, usually on a Saturday at 13:00. We will be hosting some talks and interactive events later in the year.

Meets Monthly

Eastbourne, Lewes & Seaford

Volunteer to organise informal meet-ups

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.

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

Contact: Local Groups

Edinburgh

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 informal get-togethers, and both online and in person sessions offer member-led discussions and the opportunity to connect with fellow authors.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Essex

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

Join the Writers of Essex to meet fellow authors in your area, discuss your current projects and ideas, and chat about the highs and lows of writing. The group alternates between topical online and social in person meetings.

Meets Quarterly

France

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

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 rotate our venues between the South side, the West end and Zoom in order to make it easier for everyone to attend meetings.

Contact: Local Groups

Gloucestershire

Informal monthly meet-ups with a topic or theme

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

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Hampshire

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 members to meet fellow authors and share current projects. New members welcome!

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

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 online meet-ups 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

Highlands & Moray

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

Meet-ups to connect authors across Ireland

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

Meets Quarterly
Contact: Local Groups

Italy

Online meet-ups to chat and connect with fellow authors

Established in 2024, the group hosts monthly online meet-ups for members across Italy. Sessions take place on Zoom and feature themed discussions and short talks about writing. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

London Non-Fiction

A group for SoA non-fiction writers get together and discuss their current projects

The London Non-Fiction Group was founded in 2019 and are currently meeting occasionally online and in person. The group is for non-fiction writers to 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 Occasionally
Contact: Local Groups

Manchester

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. 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

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
Contact: Local Groups

North East

Quarterly in person meet-ups in Newcastle

Welcome to the North East Group. We meet quarterly in person near the central station at Newcastle Upon Tyne on a Saturday morning. The focus will be on a guest speaker to spark the imagination on a wide range of topics about writing. Join members to socialise, connect and share ideas in the heart of the city.

Meets Quarterly

North Wales

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. All welcome!

Meets Monthly
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 or in person once a month and new members are always welcome.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Oxfordshire

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.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Salisbury and Wiltshire

Friendly catch ups with local authors

The Salisbury and Wiltshire Group started in 2024. We host monthly meetings in Salisbury, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local SoA members. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Scottish Borders

Friendly, informal get togethers in Kelso

The Scottish Borders Group started in 2024. We meet on the last Monday of the month at 10am in Kelso for an informal get together to meet fellow authors, discuss our work and share advice. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly

Scottish Islands

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

Informal online sessions for authors across Scotland

This 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 as possible from across Scotland can join.

Contact: Local Groups

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells

In person meet-ups to chat and connect

The Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Group was 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

Informal meetings for members to chat and connect

Established in March 2021, the group host regular online and in person sessions for members to connect, share advice and support one another.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Somerset

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

Established in March 2021, the Somerset Group hosts 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.

Contact: Local Groups

South Buckinghamshire

Informal meet-ups featuring themed discussions

The South Buckinghamshire Group was established in 2024 and hosts mostly online meet-ups. Sessions are informal and usually include a themed discussion or prompts to discuss our writing lives.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

South East London

Friendly gatherings to chat and connect

The South East London Group is new in 2024. We host monthly meetings in Herne Hill, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local authors. All members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

Spain

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

Established in May 2023, the group host informal online sessions every other month for members in Spain to meet fellow authors and share current projects. New members welcome!

Meets Bimonthly
Contact: Local Groups

Surrey

Monthly lunches featuring author talks

The group meet for lunch in Guildford, usually featuring a talk from a group member on a wide range of writing-related topics. Members pay for their own food and drink and guests are welcome.

Meets Monthly

Swansea

Friendly monthly gatherings for chat, advice and support

The Swansea Group started in 2024. We host monthly meetings, alternating between online on the first Thursday of the month and in person on the second Friday of the month. Come along for a friendly, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local SoA members and learn more about the business of writing – all members welcome!

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

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 such as 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.

Our regular meeting is 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

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

Social meet-ups online and in person

The West Midlands Group started in 2024. We are still settling on a schedule but currently aim for one in-person and one Zoom meeting every two months. Zoom meetings are themed conversations around topics of interest to writers. In-person meetings take place in a cafe in central Birmingham – we meet for a social coffee followed by some quiet writing time together, so bring your preferred writing equipment (e.g. pen/paper or laptop) with you. All members welcome.

Meets Monthly
Contact: Local Groups

West Yorkshire

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 occasional in person meet-ups 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 Occasionally
Contact: Local Groups