If there’s one piece of advice I have for anyone who wants to grow a consistent and sustainable writing practice it’s this: Write in community. It might seem counterintuitive considering the very personal nature of writing. For many of us, writing is a safe space that needs protecting. Letting others in can feel scary. And yet, in the past three years, writing in community is the only thing that has helped me to actually write.
One way I’ve been able to engage with a community of writers is through Writers Club. I became aware of the group through my friend Nicole, who is one of the club’s organizers. In the summer of 2022 I attended their summer writing series, “Carrying Water,” which was a huge factor in my decision to start taking writing seriously. Since then, I’ve attended several of their in-person and virtual workshops and events, all of which have helped me feel more grounded in my creative identity.
Recently, Writers Club NY celebrated their four year anniversary with a fundraiser at Milk & Pull in Bed-Stuy. It felt like a culmination of everything I’ve come to know about Writers Club in the past two years – there was a sense of openness, community care, and fluidity in the space. Up until that night, I’d spent the entire week holed up in my apartment (hermit mode activated) writing, reading, and recovering from the end-of-year energy. Arriving at the fundraiser felt like experiencing a really good quality hug.
It was the kind of event where I felt like I could walk up to just about anyone and strike up a conversation – which, to be real, feels rare in so many artistic spaces in New York and LA, where I’m from. I chatted with familiar and unfamiliar faces about what we’re reading, what we’re writing, and how we got connected with Writers Club. Some of the folks I chatted with said they found out about Writers Club on social media, others through personal relationships with the Writers Club team. Everyone I spoke to shared a resounding sense of gratitude for the ways in which Writers Club has inspired and propelled them forward.
I think my favorite part of the night is when the Writers Club team, Francisco, Nicole, and Brie, shared their reflections on the past four years. They spoke about the beginnings of Writers Club NY, and why they started it in the first place. A big goal was to provide accessible writing workshops and creative community. So many writing “communities” are intent upon upholding structures of oppression that ostracize QTPOC writers. “These workshops are often unaffordable,” Nicole said, “and then they leave us out anyway.”
They also talked about the struggles of organizing the club with little to no budget. How even still, they’ve been committed to compensating the artists with whom they co-host their workshops. “This year, we want to take care of ourselves,” Francisco shared, speaking to the ways in which this fundraiser would allow the team, for the first time, to compensate themselves. This absolutely moved me. I couldn’t believe that after four years of organizing this group, the team was still working on a volunteer basis. But also I could believe it, because too often the creative work that is vital for marginalized communities to thrive, is undervalued and underpaid. Looking around that room, though, I felt a lot of hope. I was reminded that we don’t find hope in institutions and structures, we find it in each other.
The night continued with an amazing performance by Safiya, that had everyone swaying, snapping and vibing. There was a round of trivia to win goodie bags full of gifts from sponsors, Dear Friend Books, Ugly Books, and Yours Truly, Brooklyn. There was a celebratory funfetti cake, which I obviously couldn’t say no to. And Jessie captured it all in these stunning photos.
At some point my roommate and friend, Liat, leaned over to me while the cake was being cut and said, “Look at how Nicole is just glowing right now!” And it was true. All of us were glowing, really. There was a tangible lightness in the room that lingered, even after I stepped outside onto the cold sidewalk. I wanted to bottle it up in a jar and take it home with me. I wanted to put it on my writing desk amongst my crystals and candles. If needed, I would simply crack the jar open whenever I need some warmth.
WRITERS CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS 🧡
Don’t forget to subscribe to Celeste’s newsletter, coincidentally (perfectly!) called Not a Writers Club for more writerly musings. Her writing is inspiring, fresh, and always funny. We’re lucky to count Celeste among our members, and even luckier to call her a friend.
We’re restarting monthly writing meetings. They’ll be in person at a local cafe, bookstore, or library. Come write for an hour. Sign ups drop on the first of the month!
Marlowe Granados is hosting our Valentine’s Day workshop this year. As always, our newsletter subscribers get access first.
Finally, we’re still fundraising. We’re hoping to reach our goal of $75,000, which will help us pay our workshop hosts, compensate writers like Celeste, and cover all our operating costs. Please consider donating or share with a friend who can. We need your help spreading the word!
See you next time,
Francisco, Nicole, Brie, and Celeste <3