Writing Groups
Each semester, the Writing Center offers several graduate writing groups. Led by experienced instructors, these groups provide an opportunity for sustained writing practice within a community of other student writers. Writing groups begin meeting in Week 4 of the semester and continue meeting through the last week of classes. Writing groups do not meet on any day that is identified as a “no classes” day on the official university schedule.
Fall 2026 writing groups begin meeting the week of September 21–25 and continue meeting through the week of November 30–December 4, 2026. Writing groups do not meet during Thanksgiving Recess, which takes place November 26–29, 2026 and includes the evening of Wednesday, November 25.
All Writing Center writing groups require registration. Participants may indicate their preferred groups on our interest form, and placements will be made based on interest and availability.
Meeting time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: online / fully virtual
Facilitator: Erika Gonzalez
This writing group is designed for graduate students who are seeking an entirely virtual space to build community and support one another through the completion of weekly writing goals. Each meeting will begin with a group check-in followed by goal-setting. We will gently hold one another accountable to self-guided progress through a spirit of encouragement and support. The sessions will end with progress updates and group accolades. This group will include short sessions of 1:1 writing support with the facilitator as needed. Weekly attendance is encouraged to support participants’ writing goals.
Meeting time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: in person
Location: Morgridge Center for Public Service, Red Gym Room 154
Facilitators: Sara Ostad and Rosanne Luu
The Community-Engaged Writing Group, co-sponsored by the Morgridge Center for Public Service and the Writing Center, provides a supportive space for graduate students involved in community-engaged scholarship, including community-engaged research, grant writing, community-based learning, or projects that draw on community knowledge and partnerships.
Each meeting includes a brief 15-minute check-in, an optional discussion or framing related to community-engaged writing, structured writing time, and opportunities to ask questions or meet one-on-one with facilitators. Meetings are held in the Morgridge Center, where participants write alongside others working through similar questions and commitments. Participants are encouraged to attend regularly to build accountability and momentum in their writing.
Meeting time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: in person Location: Multicultural Student Center, Red Gym (Room 243)
Facilitator: Lilian Abunga
This writing group is designed for graduate students interested in writing alongside peers whose identities, backgrounds, and experiences are often underrepresented in higher education. The group welcomes writers from diverse linguistic, cultural, and disciplinary backgrounds and aims to foster an inclusive and supportive writing community. Each meeting will begin with a brief goal-setting activity, followed by dedicated time for participants to work on their individual writing projects. Time may also be set aside for reflection, freewriting, or brainstorming, depending on participants’ needs and interests. Each meeting will close with a brief reflection on participants’ progress and next steps. Participants will have opportunities to connect with one another, share writing strategies, and support one another in staying accountable as they work toward their goals. I (Lilian) will be available during the meetings for individual writing support and questions, while helping create a welcoming space where participants can write alongside and learn from one another.
Meeting time: 2 to 4 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: online / fully virtual
Facilitator: Ellen Cecil-Lemkin
This writing group offers a supportive community of writers for anyone who identifies as having a mental health concern, disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and/or are affiliated with the McBurney Disability Resource Center. (Being affiliated with the McBurney Center is not a requirement to join this group.) Group meetings will include check in and goal-setting, writing time, and check out. Weekly attendance is not mandatory, but we encourage group members to commit to consistent attendance as able to cultivate community and accountability.
Meeting time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: in person
Location: Helen C. White Hall, 6th floor
Facilitator: Jenny Conrad
This writing group provides a welcoming and structured space for graduate writers to work on academic writing projects. We will meet in person each week on the 6th floor of Helen C. White Hall to set goals, reflect on the complexities and rewards of the writing process, and share strategies for maintaining momentum while balancing the demands of graduate student life. Sessions will begin with brief goal setting and end with reflections on successes, challenges, and next steps. Most of each session will be devoted to sustained writing time, with opportunities for one-to-one consultations available. Together, we will build accountability and community, share ideas and strategies for writing, and create space for making progress on our work.
Meeting time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: online / fully virtual
Facilitators: Nabiha Mansoor (Writing Center) and Amanda Fowler (MERIT Library)
Launching this fall, this writing group welcomes graduate students at any stage of their academic career to create a supportive space to write. Co-facilitated by a Writing Center instructor and a reference librarian, this group provides integrated writing and research support. Sessions will begin with a short goal-setting check-in followed by writing time. Optional skill-building breakout groups and individual writing and research consultations will also be available. Weekly attendance is encouraged though not required.
Meeting time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
Format: registered (same attendees each week), with new sign-ups welcome throughout the semester
Mode: in person
Location: Helen C. White Hall, 6th floor
Facilitator: Emery Jenson
This group aims to bring structure, intention, and community to graduate students working on long-term writing projects. Through a routine process of goal setting, participants will carve out space for dissertations, journal articles, job materials, and other graduate writing. After initial introductions, time will be primarily devoted to sustained individual writing. Additionally, a separate “scheduling board” will facilitate peer-to-peer writing conferences for participants seeking another set of eyes on recent materials. Balancing focused writing with peer feedback, this writing group will help junior scholars to move into the next phase of their projects.
Sign Up for a Writing Group
To receive priority consideration for a Fall 2026 writing group, please complete this interest form by Tuesday, September 15 at 5 p.m. CT. Forms received after this date will be considered for additional openings or for our waitlist.
We will notify you about your writing group assignment by Thursday, September 16. Your facilitator will follow up with a welcome message that includes information about your group’s plan for meeting. In the meantime, if you have any questions about our writing groups, please email Jenny Conrad, Writing Groups Coordinator.
What people are saying about writing groups
“I took part in graduate writing groups four semesters in a row and going once a week to these groups is what kept me writing and eventually what allowed me to graduate. I loved being part of a community of writers who inspired me and kept me accountable.”
—Sandrine P., Second Language Acquisition
“Throughout my time as a grad student, writing group has been a vital space to get work done without destroying myself in the process. Beyond offering a dedicated space and time, it gave me a compassionate, endlessly inspiring group of facilitators and peers with whom I have commiserated and celebrated just about every part of the writing process, from outlining seminar papers to submitting dissertation chapters.”
—Luke U., Spanish & Portuguese
“The Writing Center writing groups provided me structure, accountability, community, all of which helped me write my prelim, dissertation proposal, a (funded) grant application, and two journal articles. In my last semester, the Tuesday morning writing group was instrumental in finishing my dissertation. I am so grateful for the support of my fellow graduate students and to the writing center staff!”
—Emma, School of Social Work
“I decided to apply for the graduate writing group this semester because I know that I write best when working while surrounded by other quiet, hard-working people. I was looking for a space and time I could dedicate to writing that could provide those requirements, and the grad writing group definitely fit the bill. I would recommend the grad writing group to anyone who is struggling to carve out a time and space for writing on any project.”
—Sarah G., Chemistry
“I used the writing group as a way to be accountable and to have a positive and supportive writing space. The writing groups helped me prepare for and tackle prelims because I had a dedicated space and time for them. Talking at the beginning with other students really helped to see that I wasn’t alone in the process, and I really enjoyed the little ‘tidbits’ of information and writing strategies we did at the beginning of sessions.”
—Kate M., Curriculum & Instruction
“I use the writing groups to incorporate accountability into my weekly writing. By checking in with colleagues at the start and end of each group meeting, I have a mechanism for recording my progress, identifying challenges, and troubleshooting difficulties.”
—Fred B., Biostatistics
“I joined the writing groups to get a fixed block of writing time every week as a dissertator. These groups help me reach my goals by “forcing” me to think about writing goals and sit down and write for 2.5 hours per week. I would recommend these groups to others because it is so hard to protect one’s writing time and writing groups have been an effective solution for me.”
—Junhao L., Risk and Insurance