The Montana Writers Guild

...is a group of published and unpublished Montana writers who have banded together to support and critique one another’s writing.  The Guild does this primarily by supporting critique groups and by providing a venue for its members to publish their work.  The Guild’s first anthology, A Blend of Voices, came out in 2003 and was compiled solely from the work of current Guild members.  It was a learning experience for the Guild, which had previously published a short writer’s market of Montana publishers, magazines, and other writing venues, but had never tackled putting together a publication of an anthology.  It was followed in 2006 by Montana Voices, which reaped the benefit of that experience.  Among other changes, the project was opened to writers outside the Missoula, Montana area where most Guild members live and work.  This resulted in more diverse contributions and expanded the membership to other Montana cities and beyond.  A third anthology, Holiday Voices, came out in 2010.

The Guild began in 1993 as the brainchild of Missoula writer Michelle Coriel, who wanted to create an opportunity for women writers to share one another’s work in a supportive and creative way.  The Women Writers’ Guild (WWG), as it was then called, met monthly for presentations by local published writers and publishers, to share and critique members’ work, and to provide learning opportunities, including writer’s workshops which were open to the local community.  In 2000 the WWG voted to open membership to men and evolved into the Montana Writers’ Guild, but it continues to provide the supportive and creative atmosphere envisioned by its founder.  It does so primarily by fostering critique groups, smaller bands of writers who gather weekly or monthly to read and discuss one another’s work in a positive and constructive way.   Those of us who participate in critique groups find them invaluable sources of inspiration and encouragement.   They help us develop our writing skills, improve our writing style, and provide valuable editorial advice on our stories, essays, poetry, and other work.

The Fiction Plus Critique Group

The Fiction Plus Critique Group began as a science fiction/fantasy critique group, but as its membership has changed, we broadened its scope to include poetry, general fiction, non-fiction and creative non-fiction.  The group meets twice monthly, generally the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month (except November and December, when they meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays because of the holidays), at members’ homes.  Anyone who is interested in participating is welcome.  For information about the next meeting’s location, e-mail Nona Babcock.  Send Mail

Put my drawing of an old Underwood here.