Writing Groups in West Virginia

Usually meets in the Jabberwock Cafe from 6 to 8 PM on the first and third Thursday of every month. Members may bring work to be critiqued. Some members report on books they have read recently. A writing prompt is usually given. Contacts: Rhonda White (304-425-6452) rondawhite1@earthlink.net and Scott Thompson shthompson1@charter.net

Usually meets the second Thursday of every month. Contact: Rob Merritt (304-327-6687) or rmerritt@bluefield.edu

Usually meets once every month in a member's home. Contact: Renita Sue Loyd (304-765-7602) or RSL007@citynet.net

CALHOUN-GILMER WRITERS GUILD (CGWG) Has been meeting for 12 years, now usually on the first Friday of every month in the home of Jeanne Wilson near Grantsville in Calhoun County. Occasionally meets in Gilmer County. Conducts an annual three-day retreat in Upshur County in the summer. Contact: Jeanne Wilson (304-354-6308) or Lisa Sheldon cgwgtoday@yahoo.com Or go to Website: www.wvcottageindustry.com/CGWG

WRAP (Writers, Readers, Authors and Poets) is based at the Clarksburg/Harrison Public library. Meetings on the first Wednesday (6 to 8 p.m.) each month. There is a second meeting usually on the 3rd Thursday monthly at Bridgeport Public Library or the Lowe Shinnston Public Library. Contact: Kim Wheeler (304-592-3560) gmarx2@hotmail.com

They have been discussing poems in the members' homes for more than 25 years, and they are always looking for people with talent and energy who are serious about poetry. Contact: John McKernan mckernan@marshall.edu

This group meets in members' homes and has seven members who write prose. It is presently CLOSED to new members. Contact: Llewellyn McKernan l.mckernan2@gte.net

Usually meets at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library (101 King Street) from 1 to 4 PM on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. Bring 8 copies of the work you want critiqued. Limit: 10 double-spaced pages. Contacts: Honnor Dorsey (304-267-8933) and Joe McCabe (304-274-6986) or

This group was created in November 2003 to conserve, produce, and promote Traditional Poetry. Usually meets at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library on the first Sunday of every month from 2 to 4:45 PM. Contact: Annemarie Collins (304-267-7567) or poetry@ix.netcom.com and Carrol Kline (304-263-4395) or cekva@peoplepc.com

Meets at the Morgantown Public Library, usually 2nd, 4th Tuesdays (6:30-8 p.m.). Manuscript critiques, market writing assignments, group writing, presentations.

Usually meets in the Board Room of the Public Library from 6:30 to 9 PM the second Thursday of each month. Bring 12 copies of the work you want critiqued.

Usually meets every Thursday (except the second) of every month at Calvary Methodist Church from 6 to 8 PM. Established January 2002. Contacts: Cheryl Kobe (304-273-0111) cpame@blackbearnet.1cis.com and Max Price (304-372-5430) mprice@marshall.edu

Sponsored by the Hampshire County Arts Council. Usually meets the third Wednesday of every month @ 7 pm at the Bank of Romney Community Building on Main Street. Bring 6 copies of the work you want critiqued. Publishes chapbooks and collections IMW members' writings. Sponsors a Visiting Writer each spring to conduct workshops in the schools and to perform with the IMW for the public. Contact: Michael Hughes (304-822-4040) or janetmichael@citlink.net

Usually meets the second Thursday of every month from 8 to 10 PM usually at The Four Seasons Bookstore on German Street. Bring 10 copies of the poems you want critiqued. Contact: Georgia Lee McElhaney (304-876-6745) geeleemce@aol.com