Description

Writing Group: Meets Weekly Online

*Registration is now open for the winter-spring writing group!* 

For the Winter-Spring Group:
*Register by Tuesday, January 19th for an extra “early bird” writing session on Friday, January 22nd.
*Or try out the group by registering for this early bird, drop-in session here.

Writing groups offer a space for writers to meet online and write together (via a private meeting room in Zoom).

A common challenge facing writers is showing up on a regular basis, and a writing group can help with showing up—with holding space for your writing.

How will the writing group be structured?

The group meets weekly for 3 hours. We spend the first 30 minutes checking in about how we’re showing up and what we’re writing (discussing projects, sharing goals, reporting on the last week’s writing, and planning for the next week). Then we write for the remaining time. At the end (in the last 10 minutes), we offer words of encouragement and good wishes while signing off.

If you need to leave early or skip a week, no problem.
If you need to step away (e.g., to take a call or respond to a family need), no worries.
This time is YOUR time.

As the facilitator, Beth is available for quick questions via chat during the writing time. And there’s the option to be paired with an accountability partner (another group member) if you’d like additional check-ins during or after the group meeting.

If you want additional support for your writing (e.g., conversations about or feedback on drafts), then consider adding one-with-one coaching sessions, joining one-day writing retreats, or subscribing for ongoing support.

NOTE: Each writing group needs 15 participants to run and will be closed/capped at 25 writers.

Why participate in an online writing group?

Through writing groups, we invest in ourselves, in our work, and in our commitments.

Specifically, online writing groups have the potential to:

• Hold creative space for incubating, developing, and completing writing projects
• Build and strengthen relationships among writers across distance
• Maintain momentum for writing projects even when facing other due dates and demands on our time
• Provide just-in-time support, mentoring, and processing of what comes up through and around writing
• Co-create a life-giving writing environment where we can share ideas with engaged and supportive readers

To learn more about how I approach and why I believe in online writing groups, check out “‘Hanging Out’: Cultivating Writing Groups Online,” a piece co-authored with former writing group members Tanya Cochran, Rasha Diab, and Thomas Ferrel.

When will the writing group be offered?

Fridays with Beth

Running for 3 hours: 10am to 1pm Eastern
Starting at 10am ET | 9am CT | 8am MT | 7am PT

13 sessions on Fridays:
January 29
February 5, 12, 19, 26
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23

After registering, you’ll receive information about how to join the group in Zoom. Participants are encouraged to join with video, but may choose the audio-only option as well.

As long as there’s interest, I’ll continue to offer writing groups throughout the year. And I appreciate requests! If you’re interested in future writing groups, reach out.

What is the cost?

Registration is offered on a sliding-scale basis, reflecting my commitment to accessibility and community care. It’s important both that I am resourced to do this work and that no one is priced out of participating. If you are well-resourced, consider paying extra (up to the full sustaining rate) to keep this and other offerings open to anyone who finds them cost-prohibitive.

Read the following descriptions of registration options, consider which fits your circumstances, and reach out with any questions.

Reach out, too, for payment plans and billing options. There are multiple ways to pay. For example, I could invoice you on a monthly basis, or you could pay half now and half later. You could also combine personal and organizational funds. I regularly create custom invoices and work with program administrators and financial officers. And if you haven’t already asked your organization for funding, the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) offers this guide for “making the ask.”

Sliding-Scale Rates:

Down to $0: Cost-prohibitive rate
Low-cost or no-cost registration is available if the cost is prohibitive. If you cannot afford the discounted rate, reach out to inquire about a cost-prohibitive rate.

$320: Discounted rate
Register at a discounted rate if full-price registration isn’t accessible for you.

$430: Full-price rate
Register at this full-price rate if your career is financially sustaining.

$540: Institutional funding rate
Register at this institutional funding rate if you are using professional development funds. This rate is also for universities and organizations who are registering participants.

Up to $540: Sustaining rate
Increase your registration amount if you’d like to support the sliding-scale registration model. The goal is for graduate students, adjunct faculty, and community writers to join offerings through scholarships and at discounted rates. You make this possible by paying a little extra.

As written in “Can Registrations Be Relational?” I am striving toward financial accessibility and community care. I know this work is deeply relational, and I want registration to be too. This is why there are sliding-scale registration, payment plans, and multiple billing options. It’s also why I am available to answer any questions you may have about the writing group, registration, or billing. I’m here.

*Extra: Your registration includes participation in a one-day writing retreat (an additional value of $140).

*Early Bird: Registration by Tuesday, January 19th includes the early bird writing session on Friday, January 22nd.

*Workshop: Another way to get a feel for the group’s orientation to writing and writing support is to join the workshop “Cozying Up with Your Writing” on Friday, January 8th at 11am ET. Like writing groups, this workshop is for ALL writers. Registration coming soon.

Who will facilitate the writing group?

This program is offered by Beth Godbee, Ph.D., a public educator and writer with deep commitments to social, racial, and environmental justice.

Beth brings years of experience as a writer, writing coach, and writing teacher (previously tenured professor in composition, rhetoric, and literacy studies). She’s both participated in and led writing groups and has worked in writing centers, community literacy programs, and writing across the curriculum programs for many years (more than two decades). Read more about Beth here.

What do others say?

“Joining the writing group was one of the best decisions I made in the past year. It has provided a constant space of support and solidarity as we all try to carve out time to write (however writing might look each week). I love the simplicity of the format: we check in for 30 minutes and write for the rest of the time with a short check-in at the end. This has helped me move forward with writing my book and make new connections with wonderful colleagues. The group centers our humanity and helps ground us to recognize a variety of activities (i.e. reading, journaling, going for a walk) as important contributors to our writing goals and care for ourselves as writers.” —Rachel Bloom-Pojar

“I love the dedicated time to write, for sure, but what I’m perhaps most grateful for is the community that I see every Friday morning. Several of us say that in just the first few minutes of being together, even before a word is written, we feel like things are going to be okay, that we can manage (even enjoy) this thing called life, and that we feel, well, better. We sometimes we show up tired, sometimes excited, sometimes overwhelmed. Sometimes—often—we lament systemic injustice local and global. Sometimes we laugh! But we show up when we can, and we support one another, not just in writing, but again, in life (though are they really that distinct?). I am utterly and truly grateful for these writers, who have become friends, confidants, and mentors.” —Jenny Veninga, part of a longer reflection originally shared here

“Being in this group has been so important to turning my write-life balance around!!!” –Tenured Faculty Member

“In 2022, I found Beth and Heart-Head-Hands on LinkedIn at a time when I was in dire need of a warm and welcoming writing community. I started with the weekly writing groups, and from the beginning, I experienced forward-movement with my writing. Beth’s ability to facilitate and co-construct community is nothing short of masterful. Week-to-week, I saw many of the same faces, and we formed a synergy that carried us through myriad writing moments. At the time I found Heart-Head-Hands, my dissertation progress had plateaued, and the nurturing space of this writing community offered me some much-needed momentum. For the first time in years, I saw consistent growth in my dissertation writing, which culminated in my graduation in May of this year (2025). I share my story to convey the power of writing in community and not just any community but that of Heart-Head-Hands. It is my sincere hope that I remain member of this special writing space for years to come.” —Pam Jones, Ph.D. (from Philly)

“Working with Heart-Head-Hands has completely transformed my relationship to writing. I met Beth at the point where I was experiencing paralyzing writer’s block. Beth’s guidance, support, and caring helped ease my way back into writing. I’ve begun to love writing again.” —Graduate Student, Columbia University

How can I learn more?

Contact Beth with any questions, concerns, or accessibility considerations.

Also, if you’re curious and would like to get a sense of what these writing spaces are like (how the community co-creates the container for writing), consider joining a one-day writing retreat. There are typically 2-3 dates open each month. Or you could read about the writing groups in these related blog posts:

• “Writing Retreats Are for All Sorts of Writing”
• “Writing Support for the School Year (and Year-Round)”
• “Can Registration Be Relational? How I’m Longing for Sliding-Scale Registration to Work”
• “Reflective Poetry Prompts from Writing Retreats: A Contemplative Writing Practice”
• “Interrupting Writer’s Block: Writing (and Pausing) Through Resistance”

Thanks!