Many Ways to Grow

Monday 1st July 2026

What does our website tell you about NWS?

Well, we hope that it showcases the variety of opportunities writers have to connect and collaborate, the different venues we meet up at and some of the development opportunities available to NWS members, and of course, how you can join our organisation.

More importantly, we hope it shows something of our commitment to

“providing a ‘home’ for any writer that is seeking connection, validation and a way of making progress with their writing in a nurturing community, and strive to support them to be successful in their craft. And we welcome fresh ideas and perspectives that help our grass roots organisation to grow.”

That is our mission statement, and we feel we do our best to uphold it. But we are always looking at ways we can do more - time and resources permitting of course!

If you have been following these blog updates, you might have read back in February that we added a ‘Members’ Bookshelf’ to our website, to show support for our published members, and maybe encourage those not published yet to join them! We hope it will continue to expand… there have definitely been a few new additions since spring! Go, writers!

Added to the bookshelf this June

We have also been creating opportunities to nurture some of the mentoring talent within our community too. Being lucky to have experienced authors and workshop facilitators like Ian C Douglas and Teika Marija Smits as established members always willing to share their expertise, we have already enjoyed some stellar workshops this year. But it’s also been rewarding to support some less experienced ones to share their valuable knowledge too, and this is something we would like to do more of this year.

“The more you put into this community, the more you get out of it.”

Sharing your wins, challenges and questions with other writers can open up all kinds of wonderful discussions and that can be where that unseen magic lies. Take our ‘Let’s Talk About…’ session this week. We came up with these relaxed, yet informative, online get-togethers to provide NWS members with the chance to get to know some of our workshop facilitators. It also gives them a chance to ask questions about their writing projects and upcoming workshops before signing up, as well as provides the facilitator with ideas for what to cover in the upcoming workshop.

Not only that, the low pressure, laid back hour is another way to connect with fellow writers and perhaps be inspired by each others unique ideas and progress - it certainly gave me something different to think about! In fact my takeaway from this particular meet-up was that apart from the fact I drink too much coffee and write erratically at times, there are in fact other times when I am incredibly focused on my characters motivations and what led them there - I might be doing something right after all!

Scribbling something down…

Here’s what Heather had to say after leading her first session with NWS members,

“I absolutely LOVED last night's session. For me, as the host, it was really beneficial to gain an insight into what my fellow writers feel they need help with, and to be able to share ideas and solutions is such a great way to generate creativity and build on the community spirit. As an editor, I feel really passionately about helping authors to shape their work, using professional expertise and industry insights whilst championing an author's voice and vision. Community amongst writers is more important than ever before, and I'm so grateful to have found one in NWS.”

And we are delighted to have you on board Heather! Your warmth and generosity of spirit really shone through and we know we are going to love working with you again.

We were also thrilled when author and experienced mentor Shreya Sen-Handley offered her expert services to reinstate her ‘Writers’ Clinic’ this summer. These have proved popular in the past, with writers from a range of genres and at different points in their writing journeys. As someone who has found the pitfalls herself in the past, she is very much the sort of person who can help with you writing ailments if you visit her online surgery!

New group mentoring sessions for members

Membership is strong this year, and we pride ourselves in providing a variety of ways for our members to connect, that are both quality but cost effective, and a blend of formal learning experiences and informal meet-ups. And our ears are always open to new ideas, so if you have one… get in touch!

Come and join our creative community!

Debra