OUR GROUP
Who are we?
SZWG is an online writing group for academics, postgraduates and creatives. It is organised by Dr Sophie Weeks at the University of York and Dr Kyveli Lignou-Tsamantani at York St John University, with assistance from Sue Bremner at the University of Aberdeen, Elspeth Brooke at the Royal Northern College of Music, Professor Fiona Denney at Brunel University London, Dr Grace Huang at St Lawrence University, Dr Ruth Lee at York St John University, Dr Katherine Massoth at the University of New Mexico, Christiane Matt at the University of York, Professoressa Micol Pizzolati at the University of Bergamo, Beth Pyner at Cardiff University, Professor Patience Schell at the University of Aberdeen, Vicki Parnell at Simon Fraser University, Pia Singh at the University of Strathclyde, Dr Jennifer Spence at Carleton University, Ottawa, Amanda Stafford at the University of Leeds, and Christine Van den Hove, a fiction writer and poet working in the French Pyrenees.
We have run sessions every weekday since lockdown in March 2020. Currently we have well over 1000 members from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong and Japan.
SZWG offers community, accountability, and structure by hosting daily online writing sessions for participants to share goals and write together in solidarity. It aims to demystify the writing process, promote healthy and sustainable working habits, and provide a space in which participants can share the process (ups and downs) of research and writing. Click here to read feedback from our members. You can also read more about silent Zooms here.
SZWG is supported with funding from Global York at the University of York.
How does it work?
We write in silence on Zoom (video can be on or off).
Writers join the Zoom meeting and share their goals in the chat.
Each 50-min writing session is followed by a 10-min break.
At the end, we report back on our progress in the chat.
When is it?
Every Weekday
10.00-12.00 BST
15.00-17.00 BST
19.00-21.00 BST (13.00-15.00 CT, 12.00-14.00 MDT)
We also run a monthly writing retreat on the first Sunday of the month.
How do I join?
Please fill out the contact form to receive Zoom invitations once a week via email.
We update our mailing list on a weekly basis.