Red Sands Writers Circle

4.9•3048 ratings

About us

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

See all

[Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & Critique
Mon, Oct 5 · 5:30 PM MST
·
Online
Online
** 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.
At this time, this group is here to critique your original work not your not AI created nor AI assisted poems.

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 these fun platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/

https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/
8 attendees
Hang Out & Write at Starbucks: East Mesa
Thu, Oct 8 · 5:00 PM MST
Starbucks, 10720 E Point Twenty-Two Blvd, Mesa, AZ, US
Red Sands Writers Circle and Writers' Doubt Club have combined forces to help you finish that book! Struggling to meet your writing goals? Looking for some company while going through the agony and ecstasy of a first (or 50th) draft? Hang out with us -- and write! We'll be chillin' from 5pm to 8pm. Feel free to stop by whenever during that time.

This is a non-critique meeting. If you're looking for feedback on a draft, we host events for that too! Here we simply pull up a chair, connect to Wi-Fi and start writing. We might write in silence or enjoy a little conversation to move the process along. Occasional writing sprints may also be sources of inspiration. Whatever it takes to get words on the page!

Have questions? Leave a comment. See you there!
3 attendees
1 seat left
[Virtual] Tempe Poetry Read & Critique
Thu, Oct 8 · 7:30 PM MST
·
Online
Online
** ZOOM PASSCODE IS: 123456 **

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/891797799

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. At this time, this group is here to critique your original work, not AI created nor AI assisted poems

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/
7 attendees
8 seats left
All Genre MFA-Style Writers Workshop
Sat, Oct 10 · 9:00 AM MST
2627 N 3rd St, 2627 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA, Phoenix, AZ, US
IN-PERSON EVENT in Downtown Phoenix

Welcome to our Saturday morning event! Our group is run by a licensed MFA writing professor with 15+ years of experience teaching grammar, literature, and writing workshops to adults.

The session runs from 9:00am-12:25pm every Saturday. We have 15 seats. Nine attendees share for 21 minutes each. All paying attendees enter a lottery on Saturday at 9am. Eight winners receive the right to share work, and the remaining attendees stay to critique. If you are late, you cannot enter the lottery, but you can stay to critique. Doors lock at 9:30am, for liability purposes. Seats are $15, but first-time guests don't pay.

We are very supportive, warm, and welcoming. If you're looking for a positive writing community that doesn't damage your ego, you've found the right group!

**This is a paid event that costs $15, but if it is your first time, it is free!**

To reserve a seat:

Sign up for this event.

Send payment to Mike via Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo at (480) 241-9176.

Text Mike at (480) 241-9176 to let him know you paid and signed up.

Mike will reply ASAP to confirm your booking.
· You must send payment to hold a seat, no exceptions.
· If you are new, don't send payment.
· If we cancel, all attendees receive a refund.

Questions? Email the host, Mike, at mikeyopp@mikeyopp.com

Mike Oppenheim is an English, grammar, language, and creative writing professor with a 15+ year career teaching students from Junior High through College. He has an MFA from Mills College, an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from The University of California Berkeley, a Master's Certificate in Copyediting from The University of California San Diego, and a BA in Film Studies, English, and Philosophy from The University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude.
8 attendees