What we’re about
The Evanston Writers Group is an eclectic mix of writers, ranging from beginners to long time professionals, and reflect all ages, genders and backgrounds.
We have members who publish literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children's literature, romance, hard-boiled crime, memoir, travel, poetry, humor and assorted forms of the unclassifiable.
Because we are fearless and a little nuts, we open our minds to anyone and any thing. We'll bend and stretch ourselves like soft licorice to dig your stuff. Most importantly, we'll help you get it published.
There is no censorship at the Evanston Writers Group.
Here is the link to the submission guidelines https://evanstonwritersworkshop.org/submissionguidlines
If that link does not work, go to more/discussion boards/submission guidelines
For these reasons, and in accordance with the Meetup.com Terms of Service, membership is limited to those eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Evanston Writers Workshop is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. As such, all donations are tax deductible. Donations and Membership payment informations can be found on our website https://evanstonwritersworkshop.org/#dues-and-donations
Upcoming events
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The Critique Group
Art Makers Outpost, 609 South Blvd, Evanston, IL, USWe have a new home! We will be meeting at the Art Maker's Outpost 609 South Blvd, Evanston, IL 60202. It is one block west and one block north of the South Blvd L station.
Welcome to the Evanston Writers Workshop Critique Group. One of two foundational programs of EWW, the Critique Group is a group of professional and aspiring writers who help each other polish their writing. Through workshop-style critique, writers have the opportunity to receive direct feedback from attentive readers who understand the craft of writing. For more information, weekly submission links, as well as submission guidelines and requirements, please visit the Evanston Writers Workshop message board here https://www.meetup.com/evanstonwriters/messages/boards/ or our website at www.evannstonwritersworkshop.org .
Friendly reminder: please have your submissions uploaded by the Friday (midnight) before the meeting.
2 attendees
EWW Social: Dinner & Show
Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL, USEWW SOCIAL: Dinner & A Show
Join us! Sunday, November 9th at 2:30 PM for the staged reading of Character Assassination, by EWW's own Emmy-winning screenplay critique group lead, Chris Canaan, at Piven Theater's renown blackbox theater. After the show, we'll head over to Evanston's legendary Dave's Italian Kitchen* for an early and delicious group dinner (est. 4:00pm)"Artist discount" show tickets are $15. Buy tickets in advance here!
Check out Dave's awesome (and economical) menu
And RSVP to this MeetUp!!*If Dave's is full, we'll go to Stacked & Folded across the street.
Performers:
Julian Josip (Young Speros and Prince Constantine), EWW member at-large, is a SAG-AFTRA member represented by Big Mouth Talent, Julian has been acting since age six with credits including "Proven Innocent", "Chicago Fire", and the upcoming feature film "Tears to a Glass Eye" (2025). Trained extensively in on-camera work, theater, improv, dance, and stage combat across Chicago and Los Angeles—including at Piven's YPC, Evanston Dance Ensemble, Gus Giordano Dance School, and the Actors Gymnasium—he also served as line editor for the novel Promising Young Man by Elias Axel and is narrating the audiobook (2026). A lifelong Evanstonian, aspiring writer, and part-owner of Evanston Games & Café, Julian is known for championing those with disabilities and neurodivergence as well as cultivating fun & welcoming community spaces.
Tracy Egan (Judith & Young Judith), Evanston Resident, is the writer and performer of two critically acclaimed one-woman shows: "Who’s Driving the Bus? My Year As a Kindergarten Mom" at Chicago’s Apollo Theater and "You Can Only Take the ACT 12 Times" at Chicago’s Solo Celebration Festival and Evanston’s Piven Theater Workshop. She also created and performed the multi-character, Covid-era comedic YouTube series, "The University of Central Michiana." (YouTube – Tracy Egan Comedy) Tracy has appeared in numerous stage plays, feature films and national television commercials, and has been a contributing essayist for Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ. She received her undergraduate degree in theater from Northwestern University.
Hannah C. Horner (Maggie & Linda) is an actor and voiceover artist who has been performing since age two. She is an alumna of Piven Theater, Chicago High School for the Arts, Looking Glass Theater, and Second City. Her stage credits include performances at Steppenwolf Theater ("Mary Page Marlowe") and Drury Lane Theater ("Billy Elliot") in Chicago, and The Miracle Center ("Grease", "Hairspray") and The Starlight Theater ("Newsies", "Guys & Dolls"). Currently based in Chicago, where she lives with her partner Richard, Hannah continues her theater work while preparing to study Forensic Anthropology at DePaul University.
Michael McCauley (The Cup, Old Speros) has devoted his career to the creative arts, starting with theater training at Piven Theatre Workshop and the renowned Harand Theater Camp in his teens, and playing several lead roles in college in "Arms and the Man", "Summertree", Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". Post-college, Michael appeared in national commercials and regional theater before transitioning into creative directing in Chicago, where he collaborates with influential figures in business, entertainment, and politics. He’s delivered dozens of keynote and motivational speeches across the United States and abroad and is the author of the inspirational book "The Rule of the Red Door". Michael serves as Adjunct Professor and Advisory Board Member at Roosevelt University and Adjunct Professor at National Louis University.
5 attendees
•OnlineScreenplay Critique Group
OnlinePLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES!
Welcome to the Evanston Writers Workshop’s NEW Screenplay Critique Group. We're a group of professional and aspiring writers who help each other polish their writing through workshop style critique. Writers have the opportunity to receive and give direct, constructive, and actionable feedback from attentive readers and writers who understand the craft of screenwriting.
The Screenplay Critique Group will be led by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer, Christopher Canaan, whose diverse portfolio features works such as "Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story" starring Hilary Swank, "Robinson Crusoe" with Pierce Brosnan, and "No Good Deed" featuring Samuel L. Jackson. He also co-created the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger. Christopher Canaan taught at the UCLA Screenwriting Program for ten years, as well as at the Bucks County playhouse and The College of New Jersey.
## Details
- This group is for Screenwriters writers, aged 18+, at intermediate to advanced levels.
- We will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month, from 7:00-9:00pm central time on ZOOM.
- We will critique 3 submissions (up to 10 pages in Standard Screenplay Format) per meeting.
- You do not need to be a member to attend or critique, however you need to be a member in order to submit and have your own work critiqued.
- This is a GIVE & TAKE group. In exchange for giving thoughtful critique on others’ work, you get thoughtful critique for your own.
- You must RSVP to each Screenplay Critique Group session in order to receive the submissions we will be critiquing.
- If you have a submission to be critiqued:
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To submit, please CLICK HERE to upload your submissions or type
https://form.jotform.com/251125391424147 into your browser by midnight the Friday before critique meeting. -
Put "Screenplay Critique Group Submission” in the subject header. (We have many different critique groups and want to make sure it’s directed to the correct folder.)
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Include your email address and short bio (this group is for intermediate and advanced screenplay writers) inside your document so participants know where to send their notes.
EWW is a not-for-profit 501 (C) 3 organization founded in 2007. For more information about Evanston Writers Workshop, and membership, visit evanstonwritersworkshop.org. We have critique groups for all writing levels and genres including for fiction, memoir/non-fiction, and poetry that meet in person in Evanston, IL and also online.
Friendly reminder: please send your submissions by the Friday (midnight) before the meeting.3 attendees- We will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month, from 7:00-9:00pm central time on ZOOM.
Past events
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