What we’re about
Annual dues for Cascadia Writers are $55 per year after the free trial period ($60/year for new members in 2026). Camaraderie and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you are trying to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Cascadia Writers is a private writing group based in Olympia, Washington and hosted by Carmen Lane. Writers 21+ of all skills and genres and from all locations are welcome to join. We are writers who gather for camaraderie and encouragement, each focusing on our personal or professional writing projects, whatever they may be. Our goal is to establish and reinforce a regular writing practice, one hour at a time. Work on your manuscript, speech, screenplay, poetry, short story, blog... whatever you like. Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required).
SOME OF OUR GROUP'S OPERATING RULES:
- Who is invited to join Cascadia Writers? Are you an adult writer over 21*? Do you agree to follow our general operating rules? Great! Adult writers 21+ of all skills, all genres, and from all locations are welcome! Sign up to attend writing sessions at www.meetup.com/cascadiawriters . Cascadia Writers is not just limited to writers who live locally. Some of our writing sessions are online, making a writer's physical location irrelevant. And you can decide whether to join us at our in-person writing sessions and retreats on a case by case basis, as your schedule allows -- even if you only choose to attend once or a couple times per year. Of course we'd love to have you join us at every writing session, but we are happy for whatever time you have. *For the record, I have nothing absolutely nothing against 18-20 year old writers who may be as mature (or likely even more mature than I am). The reason I want our writers to be 21+ is because some of our retreats are overnight and will likely present an opportunity for writers to toast a glass of wine, martini, or whatever. I do not want the legal responsibility or just general awkwardness that would come with playing chaperone. Thus, 21+ only, please. My apologies if this offends anyone. (https://www.cascadiawriters.com/rules)
Featured event
Winter Writing Retreat at Lake Quinault Lodge Jan 24, 2026
($100 non-members; $25/$50 members) Join us for a day of focused writing in the heart of the Olympic National Park, a gorgeous drive less than 2 hours from Olympia!
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 24, 2026; 10AM-2PM
LOCATION: Lake Quinault Lodge, 345 S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575.
Gather in the Quillayute Ballroom/Auditorium; doors open 9:30AM so we can settle in and prepare to write.
COST: $25 EARLY BIRD RATE for paid Cascadia Writers members who purchase by January 17th ($50 after Jan 17) | $100 NON-MEMBERS
Non-refundable. Includes complimentary coffee/tea and bagels.
Free parking on site. NOT INCLUDED: Overnight accommodation; meals.
Plan to write unplugged, as wifi connectivity in the rainforest is reliably unreliable. Bring your charged laptop to write offline or your favorite writing journal and pen. Spend the day working on your manuscript, speech, screenplay, poetry, short story, blog... whatever you like. Bring your warm waterproof jacket, walking stick, and a flashlight, etc., if you fancy a hike in the rainforest trails in the early morning or after we wrap-up our writing session Saturday.
If staying overnight, you must book your room directly with Lake Quinault Lodge online or call (888) 896-3818, choose option 1 for reservations, then choose option 1 again for Lake Quinault Lodge.
Suggestion: Take advantage of their special winter discount code BOGO26 so you can stay 2 nights for the price of 1. (I am checking in Friday 1/23; checking out Sunday 1/25.)
Rooms in the lodge are not soundproof; bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. The lodge has a sauna and heated indoor swimming pool, if you are so inclined.
Upcoming events
14
•OnlineCASCADIA WRITERS - Focused Writing Session (online)
Online[Dues $60/year] Struggling to establish a regular writing practice? Join Cascadia Writers for a FOCUSED WRITING SESSION online via Zoom. Write whatever you like. There are no readings or critiques at these sessions. Just camaraderie and support of fellow writers. Group operating rules are listed under here under "About" and www.CascadiaWriters.com/rules .
When you join Cascadia Writers, annual dues are just $60/year after the FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD. Camaraderie and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you are trying to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required).
- by 4:40PMish - Enter meeting, check mic/cam, prepare to write
- 4:45PM - INTRODUCTIONS: Round-robin opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow writers, you can mention what you are working on or what your goal is for today's session, or whatever you wish to share. Or say, "PASS" if you prefer.
- 5:00PM - TIMER STARTS: Mics are muted; WE WRITE FOR 1 HOUR
- 6:00PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! Round-robin opportunity to share how the writing session went for you, then see you next time!
- COST: FREE FOR MEMBERS | $5 donation for unregistered guests
We try hard to stick to agendas. When we have many writers in attendance, we may need to shorten our individual introductions so that each writer may have a chance to say hello. When we have fewer writers, we may not require the entire 15 minutes for introductions and so you can chat as you please until the writing timer starts promptly at 5:00PM or begin writing a few minutes early, if you like. At 5PM, cams/mics are muted so all may write in peace.
Not sure what to write? No problem! Write your author bio if you don’t already have one, use a writing prompt, create a backstory for a stranger, or try journaling or free writing your thoughts.
Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required)
LATE ARRIVALS: If you enter the Zoom meeting after our writing timer has started at 5:00PM, please continue writing on your own until 6:00PM, then we'll unmute and continue with our final round-robin & discussion before signing-off.
NEED TO LEAVE EARLY? No problem. We understand and look forward to seeing you at our next writing session.
Technology glitches/power outages happen. If this occurs, continue writing!1 attendee
CASCADIA WRITERS - Focused Writing Session (in person)
Cutters Point Coffee, 1340 Marvin Rd NE, Lacey, WA, US[Dues $60/year] Struggling to establish a regular writing practice? Join Cascadia Writers at Cutters Point Coffee in Hawks Prairie for a FOCUSED WRITING SESSION. Write whatever you like. There are no readings or critiques at these sessions. Just camaraderie and support of fellow writers. Group operating rules are listed under here under "About" and on our website www.CascadiaWriters.com/rules
When you join Cascadia Writers, annual dues are just $60/year after the FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD. Camaraderie and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you are trying to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required).
- 4:30PM(ish) - optional socializing; settle in, get a cup of coffee, & prepare to write
- 4:45PM - INTRODUCTIONS: Round-robin; opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow writers; mention what you are working on or what your goal is for today's session, or whatever you wish to share. Or say "PASS" if you prefer.
- 5:00PM - TIMER STARTS: WE WRITE FOR 1 HOUR
- 6:00PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! Round-robin; opportunity to share how the writing session went for you, chat, take off, or keep writing. See you next time!
- COST: FREE FOR MEMBERS | $5 donation for unregistered guests
- Seating for up to 8 writers at our reserved main table. When we have more than 8 writers, at 4:45PM we all gather around for introductions & round-robin. At 5PM, sit at any open table for the timed writing portion. At 6PM, rejoin group for final round-robin before departing.
- BRING: pen & paper to write or your pre-charged laptop, Earbuds or earplugs if you need them to block out café music and background noise.
- Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required)
We try hard to stick to agendas. When we have many writers in attendance, we may need to shorten our individual introductions so that each writer may have a chance to say hello. When we have fewer writers, we may not require the entire 15 minutes for introductions and so you can chat as you please until the writing timer starts promptly at 5:00PM or begin writing a few minutes early, if you like. At 5PM, we are quiet so all may write in peace.
COME WRITE WITH US - establish and reinforce a regular writing practice!
Not sure what to write? No problem! Write your author bio if you don’t already have one, use a writing prompt, create a backstory for a stranger, or try journaling or free writing your thoughts.
LATE ARRIVALS: We understand traffic & schedule conflicts happen. It's OK. If you arrive after our writing timer has started at 5:00PM, just find an open seat and settle in quietly, continue writing on your own until 6:00PM, then we'll re-group to continue with our final round-robin & discussion before departing.
NEED TO LEAVE EARLY? That's OK too. Pack up quietly and give me a wave. We understand and look forward to seeing you at our next writing session.1 attendee- •Online
CASCADIA WRITERS - Focused Writing Session (online)
Online[Dues $60/year] Struggling to establish a regular writing practice? Join Cascadia Writers for a FOCUSED WRITING SESSION online via Zoom. Write whatever you like. There are no readings or critiques at these sessions. Just camaraderie and support of fellow writers. Group operating rules are listed under here under "About" and www.CascadiaWriters.com/rules .
When you join Cascadia Writers, annual dues are just $60/year after the FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD. Camaraderie and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you are trying to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required).
- by 4:40PMish - Enter meeting, check mic/cam, prepare to write
- 4:45PM - INTRODUCTIONS: Round-robin opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow writers, you can mention what you are working on or what your goal is for today's session, or whatever you wish to share. Or say, "PASS" if you prefer.
- 5:00PM - TIMER STARTS: Mics are muted; WE WRITE FOR 1 HOUR
- 6:00PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! Round-robin opportunity to share how the writing session went for you, then see you next time!
- COST: FREE FOR MEMBERS | $5 donation for unregistered guests
We try hard to stick to agendas. When we have many writers in attendance, we may need to shorten our individual introductions so that each writer may have a chance to say hello. When we have fewer writers, we may not require the entire 15 minutes for introductions and so you can chat as you please until the writing timer starts promptly at 5:00PM or begin writing a few minutes early, if you like. At 5PM, cams/mics are muted so all may write in peace.
Not sure what to write? No problem! Write your author bio if you don’t already have one, use a writing prompt, create a backstory for a stranger, or try journaling or free writing your thoughts.
Join/RSVP via MeetUp (required)
LATE ARRIVALS: If you enter the Zoom meeting after our writing timer has started at 5:00PM, please continue writing on your own until 6:00PM, then we'll unmute and continue with our final round-robin & discussion before signing-off.
NEED TO LEAVE EARLY? No problem. We understand and look forward to seeing you at our next writing session.
Technology glitches/power outages happen. If this occurs, continue writing!1 attendee
Past events
267
Group links
Organizers
Members
13
