E-Mail Discussion and News Groups for Writers

One of the most wonderful things about being a writer who is connected to the Internet is the exchange which can happen between yourself and other writers. A recent study estimated that there are over 400,000 writers in the United States which use the Internet for some type of business activity. I would wager a guess the vast majority of these writers are using the Internet for the exchange with other writers. Where else can be found such a base of friends which all have similar desires and concerns? This can be evidenced by speaking with writers on the Internet. How many times have you seen a writer approach a newsgroup or e-mail group to ask how others handle a significant other which does not understand his or her wanting and needing to write?

Much like joining an association or organization, you will pretty much get back what you put into such discussions. However, many have found it humorous just to sit back and lurk. :-)

Some of the groups are chatty, others are very strict about sticking to the business at hand. What you desire most will determine which group you choose to use. Personally, I like a good mix of chat and technical help. Sometimes it is very nice to know that others are having the same problems as you are having. Of course, the bottom line of such affiliations should be to improve your writing process. So, don't let the chat distract you from your primary focus.

E-Mail Discussion Groups

AuthorsNet: For information, contact sandra.greenwood@authors.woodybbs.com. This discussion group covers many writing related topics, but tends to focus on marketing yourself and what you have produced. To subscribe to this group, send an e-mail to listserv@authors.woodybbs.com. The subject and the body of the e-mail should read: SUBSCRIBE AUTHORSNET-ML (your first and last name)@(domain)
EST-L: This is a mailing list for teachers of English for Science and Technology. To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@asuvm.inre.asu.edu with the following in the body: sub est-l (your first and last name)
Children's Writers: As stated by the title, this is a list for children's writers. To subscribe, send an e-mail to majordomo@lists.mindspring.com. In the body of the message type "subscribe childrens-writing" or "subscribe childrens-writing-digest"
The Garret: The Enclave Writers' Network and Support Group forum. This is a moderated list primarily for posting and announcing writing contracts and opportunities, group meetings, events and more. This is targeted for writers in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. To subscribe to this group, send an e-mail to server@nocturne.boulder-creek.ca.us and in the body of the message type join garret - this list does offer digest mode.
Children's Writers: This list discusses writing which is aimed at children and young adults in various genres. To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@psuvm.psu.edu and in the body of the message type "subscribe yawrite" and for questions, e-mail Gayle_Surrette@brown.edu
Magazine Writers: This list is designed for freelance magazine writers. For more information, e-mail dyvd82b@prodigy.com
WRITE: A list for writers of all genres and interests. For more information, send an e-mail to jkent@camcat.com
Prufrock-L: This is a very intense and serious list. It is kept small by the administrators; however, they are opening for a few new subscribers. To apply, send a description of your writing and interests to mason@pobox.com
Small Press: This list discusses the concerns of authors and editors who are involved with the small press industry. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to small-press-request@world.std.com and in the body of the message type a regular message requesting to subscribe. For more information, send an e-mail to ctan@world.std.com
Technical Writers: This list is based at Oklahoma State University. To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@vm1.ucc.okstate.edu and in the body of the message type "sub TECHWR-L (your first and last name). A human can be reached for more information at techwr-l-request@vm1.ucc.okstate.edu
Writers' Workshop at MIT: This is one of the best lists I've found on the Internet for a wide variety of submissions of works in progress, friendly people and humans to critique your works. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listserv@mitvma.mit.edu or listserv@mitvma.mit.bitnet, in the body of the message type "subscribe writers (your first and last name)
Writers Online: A rather large group of serious writers which has been broken down into the categories of fiction, non-fiction, novels and poetry. This list institutes a required minimum per month for submissions and critiques. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to workshop@bnr.ca

If you didn't find the list you wanted above, don't get too upset. Just aim your browser to LISZT, a searchable directory of e-mail discussion groups.

Newsgroups for writers