What we’re about
Writing a book? Let's MeetUp! Red Sands is a casual creative writing critique group open to all genres, from YA to mystery, literary to sci-fi, novels to poetry, screenplays to memoir. No fees or rigid structure. We get together to read drafts aloud and share feedback. Newbies are always welcome!
Don't have any writing yet? Just want to see how things work? Feel free to stop by as a reader. We always look forward to extra feedback!
***Recognized as one of the Top 150 groups in the world at MeetUp Togetherfest 2018***
Check out an incomplete list of published books by Red Sands members on this Goodreads List
Want more ways to connect? Join us on all the social media!
-Facebook
-Instagram
-Twitter
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & CritiqueLink visible for attendees
** WE DO NOT OFFER FEEDBACK ON AI CREATED OR ENHANCED OR INFLUENCED WORK AT THIS TIME. **
***
To join our web conference, all you need to do is click the zoom link around the scheduled time.
** ZOOM PASSCODE IS: 123456 **
If you have questions, please leave a comment.
***
Welcome, poets! We're here to share our poetry and support one another through constructive suggestions for future drafts. Our group loves all styles of poetry, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
We share links to Google Docs (click here if you're not sure how to do that). If your poems are very short, feel free to bring a couple, but try to limit the total length to less than 3 pages. If you don't have writing to bring in yet, still feel free to join us to read and offer critiques.
FAQ:
I write prose poems, is that okay?
Yes! All styles of poetry are welcome, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
I'm writing a novel--what about that?
Most likely you'll want to attend one of the other Red Sands events which focus on novels. However, if your writing style is particularly lyrical we might be the best group to support you! Send a message to the organizer if you're not sure.
Do I have to RSVP?
Please always RSVP if you intend to share your work, or move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as you realize you won't be able to make it.
I'm on the "wait list" what does that mean?
You're still welcome to join us! This just means we may not have time to read your work at this meeting, though we will try.
I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.
I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever read a poem and thought "Wow, loved that line -- but this part took me out of the moment" then you've given feedback. It's simply reacting to the work. No pressure.
I'm uncomfortable with someone reading my writing aloud.
It's okay to read your own work aloud, but we will offer if you'd like one of us to do it. Sometimes it's nice to do both at a meeting, to hear the poet's voice and an outsider's. Which lines do they trip on? Is your 'voice' coming through? Reciting your own lines back is great, but consider using us as an opportunity to further support your journey to a fantastic final copy.
I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. See you there!
Is the group on social media?
Oh yeah! Like us and love us on all these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/
https://twitter.com/redsandswriters
- Ahwatukee Writers Workshop: Read drafts, critiqueDenny's, Chandler, AZ
Welcome to the Ahwatukee Writers Workshop! After many years as an independent group, we have now joined the Red Sand's Writing Circle.
Due to the closure of our longtime venue Kneaders Bakery, we now are meeting in a new location, Denny's at I-10 and Chandler BLVD. Our group runs from 6pm-8pm every two Wednesdays.
This group is all about using constructive criticism to support each other in an effort to take our writing projects to the next level.
Our current word count is 3,000 words. We use a Google Drive folder to share and edit our works. You can access this folder by sending your email address to me via a direct message.
If you do prefer bringing paper copies you are more than welcome to! But please make sure to request access to our Google Drive to ensure that you can read and critique what others bring.
Please sign up for each event so we will know who is coming. And please revoke your RSVP if you cant make it.
We hope to see you there!
FAQ:
What type of writing can be critiqued?
We read everything! Bring your novel, screenplay, non-fiction, poetry, short story, or anything else.My writing is ____ genre, is that okay?
Yes! Bring your sci-fi, mystery, western, literary, or whatever genre you're working on. We love them all!Do I have to RSVP?
If you discover you can't attend, move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as you realize you won't be able to make it. If joining to read other work and share feedback, but not share a draft yourself, please RSVP so we know to expect you.I'm on the "Waitlist" what does that mean?
If you're on the waitlist, you're still welcome to join us, but we may not have time to read your draft.I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here for support, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take them into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback, and not all of our suggestions will be good. As the director of your project, you get to decide what's helpful and what isn't.I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever thought "Wow, that book was great, but I wish there was more of ___ and less of ____" then you know how to give feedback. You're welcome to provide as little or as much feedback as you're comfortable with. Easy stuff.I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. See you there!Is Red Sands on social media?
Oh yeah! Join us on these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/ - [Virtual] Tempe Poetry Read & CritiqueLink visible for attendees
** ZOOM PASSCODE IS: 123456 **
Our preferred sharing method is Google docs. For directions on how to do that, go here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1939kZ5oyloe16nIKX6X5-MK5yBozb5Zeb71kODDemhU/edit?usp=sharing
Alternatively, Zoom has the ability to share your screen so we can follow along as the draft is read aloud from your computer.
No software required, but your computer will need a webcam and microphone.
If you have questions, please leave a comment.
Welcome, poets! We're here to share our poetry and support one another through constructive suggestions for future drafts. Our group loves all styles of poetry, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
If your poems are very short, (Haiku, etc.) feel free to bring a couple, but try to limit the total length to less than 3 pages. If you don't have writing to bring in yet, still feel free to join us to read and offer critiques.
FAQ:
I write prose poems, is that okay?
Yes! All styles of poetry are welcome, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
I'm writing a novel--what about that?
Most likely you'll want to attend one of the other Red Sands events that focuses on novels or is open to all genres. However, if your writing style is particularly lyrical, we might be the best group to support you! Send a message to the organizer if you're not sure.
Do I have to RSVP?
Please always RSVP if you intend to share your work, or move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as you realize you won't be able to make it.
I'm on the "wait-list" what does that mean?
You're still welcome to join us, this just means we may not have time to read your work at this meeting, though we will try.
I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.
I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever read a poem and thought "Wow, loved that line -- but this part took me out of the moment" then you've given feedback. It's simply reacting to the work. No pressure.
I'm uncomfortable with someone reading my writing aloud.
It's okay to read your own work aloud, but you could ask someone else to read if you'd like. Sometimes it's nice to do both at a meeting, to hear the poet's voice and an outsider's. Which lines do they trip on? Is your 'voice' coming through? Reciting your own lines back is great, but consider using us as an opportunity to further support your journey to a fantastic final copy.
I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. See you there!
Is the group on social media?
Oh yeah! Like us and love us on all these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/
![[Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & Critique cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/1/e/6/event_510064582.webp "[Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & Critique")
![[Virtual] Tempe Poetry Read & Critique cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/8/3/5/event_487390293.webp "[Virtual] Tempe Poetry Read & Critique")
