Writing Critique

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** **Venue info:** this is a public café, so expect some noise around you. Please bring your headphones. While some plugs are available, they might not be free while we are there. Please charge your laptop beforehand. As this is a public café, and we're going to occupy a table for a while, *please buy something if you can* (even a cup of tea will do)! **IMPORTANT:** in the unfortunate case we are not able to find a table at this café, we'll need to move to another location close-by. The organizer will leave detailed info in the comment section of each event. Please check! **Travel info:** Closest public transport stops \- Finchley Road & Frognal \(Overground\)\, 1 min away \- West Hampstead Thameslink \(train\)\, 10 min away \- West Hampstead \(Overground\)\, 10 minutes away \- West Hampstead \(Underground\, Jubilee line\)\, 12 min away \- Bus stop FB \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away \- Bus stop FF \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away

A chance just to work in company on your writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing or work stuff. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. WE FILL THE ROOM, so you MUST SIGN UP below AND ARRIVE BY 11.40 at the latest, or we can’t guarantee you a seat. And if you can't make it CHANGE YOUR RSVP to "not going" ASAP to give someone else a chance, thanks. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, John and Solitaire

Orpington BSL conversation group. Open to anyone wishing to brush up or practice their British Sign Language skills in a relaxed, unstructured setting with like minded people. We meet on the third Saturday of the month at The Second Home café, in Orpington High Street (BR6 0NB), from 11am to 1pm. Come join us for a cuppa and brunch whilst practicing your BSL. This is an unstructured group, so anyone is welcome. We only ask that you are respectful of each other, regardless of gender, religion, sexuality and beliefs. During our conversation meetings, we appreciate if we all adhere to a 'voice off' policy, to maximise our BSL use. If you don't know a particular sign, don't just say the word... Fingerspell it; gesture it; paraphrase what you mean with the signs that you know, write it down in paper... Anything is good, as long as you give it your best!

Hello, This event is for anyone who enjoys reading and wants to do it in the quiet company of others. We’ll be reading together in complete silence no pressure to talk, just bring whatever you’re reading and settle in. When you arrive, grab a drink from the café if you like, find a comfy spot, and start reading. We’re usually there for about 2 hours, but feel free to come and go whenever it works for you. Looking forward to meeting you! Dee

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 12.00 - Shop and café open 12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John

We will be meeting at The Racketeer! We will divide into smaller groups to discuss this month's book. It will be very obvious when you arrive to the pub, where our group is, but please feel free to give me a call if you are struggling to find us. For new members, shoot me a message on meetup and I will send through my phone number!

If an alien landed in Britain of 2026, it might well conclude that things have never been worse for women. That to be a woman in the neoliberal, post-sexual revolution West is just a vale of tears: bodily, emotionally, reproductively, and socially. Except, that's not at all the truth, is it? In Good Slut, Zoe Strimpel argues the exact opposite, that things have never been better for women, and the fact that this is a taboo shows how far off the right piste we're going. She takes aim at what she sees as a culture of female victimhood, arguing instead that women in the modern West enjoy unprecedented freedom—socially, sexually, and economically. The book is a forceful defence of the sexual revolution and a call to embrace agency, ambition, and desire without apology. It argues for a proud promiscuity: not just sexual, but in all other things too. This argument has sparked sharp disagreement. Critics have questioned whether Strimpel downplays the real costs of modern dating culture, from the effects of pornography and dating apps to the persistence of exploitation and dissatisfaction. Others argue that her dismissal of “victimhood” overlooks genuine problems—or that her vision of liberation risks collapsing into a defence of whatever currently exists.  Join us for a candid conversation on sex, freedom, and the deeper ideas at stake: what does genuine independence actually require—and is modern culture helping us achieve it, or standing in the way?

You want to do your best! You want to realise your potential! You want to make the right decisions at the right time! Obviously- you want to be a success! Do you have all the skills in place? Do you have areas in your life or personality that are weaker and you feel can stop you or hold you back? Would you like a free personal consultation to help locate your strengths and weaker areas? We can help you to maximise on your potential. If you would like a free 1 hour consult then register now! We have various times available for your own personal consultation This is hosted at the Scientology Life Improvement Centre in London. We use the Oxford Capacity Analysis test. https://www.scientology-london.org.uk/personality-test/

In April's first meeting, we will read Percival Everett's 2024 book, *James.* The award-winning novel received both the Booker Prize in 2024 and the Pulitzer Prize in 2025. It is a fascinating retelling of a famed Mark Twain novel that many Americans read at school. 'A breathtakingly accomplished retelling of *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* from the point of view of the enslaved Jim, Everett's tour de force reclaims the character's voice from the literary margins with power, precision and dazzling wit.' -Waterstones 'A captivating response to Mark Twain’s classic that is both a bold exploration of a dark chapter in history and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit' -Booker Prize judges https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173754979-james The meeting will take place at the Big Easy - Canary Wharf. So come along for some down-home American cooking as we delve into this acclaimed novel. N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

Join us for a relaxed group walk in Epping Forest while exploring personality theory and cognitive functions. This informal meetup is open to anyone interested in MBTI, Jungian cognitive functions, or personality discussions in general—whether you're experienced or just curious. Expect a casual walk, thoughtful conversation, and a chance to connect with like-minded people.

Wine Not? is a women-only gathering before the Balancers Saturday social. Most attendees come solo, so it’s an easy and welcoming place to meet people and settle in before the night gets busier. London can make meeting new people feel awkward, especially if you're coming alone. This early social creates a comfortable environment where you can chat, laugh, and get to know a few friendly faces first. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, a few light games, and plenty of time to connect naturally. At **7.30 pm the main Balancers social begins**, and the room fills as over **150 people usually join the night**. Wine Not? naturally flows into the rest of the evening, so you’re welcome to stay and enjoy the full experience. Coming solo is completely normal. Our hosts will be there to help everyone feel comfortable, included, and connected from the start. **Check out our past events here:** **[https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/)** **Want to stay in the loop? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)** *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity. Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)