What we’re about
Welcome! We're a fiction writing group of like-minded individuals gathering for writing confidence, advice and support.
Our community is here to give fiction writers a place to meet other writers, hear what others are writing and improve your own skills. If you could use some practical advice on developing your storytelling skills, our workshops and events will give you more confidence about being a fiction writer.
See a full list of what's on: https://www.meetup.com/londonwriterscafe/events/
Read on for more about us and how we roll.
We have members who write from all levels, abilities and genres and we aren't at all snobbish about 'worthiness' or literary merit. All we care about is if the story is well told or if it needs more work. We have writers working on stories for adults, young adults and children.
Our group was founded in June 2006 in a lovely pub near Liverpool Street with only a few members and now we're a bustling community of 4,400 so we must be doing something right! Most of us are in the process of writing fiction (novels, short stories and scripts) at every stage, but it doesn't matter if you've been writing for years, or mere months, we're here for every kind of fiction writer and we'd love to meet you.
On that, we don't believe in groups where everyone is forced to share/contribute/offer feedback *shudder* so we'll never pressure anyone to read before they're ready.
Read more about what makes a quality writing group.
That's all for now. We hope to meet you very soon and happy writing!
Lisa x
Email: londonwriterscafe{@}gmail.com
Follow what's on via Eventbrite.
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Socialise with us via London Writers' Cafe
Instagram: @LondonWritersCafe
X: @LDNWritersCafe
LinkedIn: @ldn-writers-cafe
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Fiction Feedback WorkshopWilliamson's Tavern, London£12.50
Join us in 2025! In these regular writing workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for immediate feedback, advice and encouragement. Critique is led and moderated by your host.
You learn more by listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night than you can imagine. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast!
For people reading, pieces must be 3,500 words or less as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. If you'd like to read, please post a comment below. You must have booked your place before making a request to read.
If you are reading, please bring enough printed copies (at least 10) of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded.
New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback.
After the workshop, most of us head to the bar for a social drink or two and extended conversation about the joys and woes of writing.
TICKETS: £12.50 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Sorry folks, but Williamson's are now charging a considerable hire fee and so ticket prices have to reflect that additional spend. When we use other venues, tickets won't be as much. It's also my job to organise and lead these sessions so ticket price incorporates my labour in hosting these sessions for you. Thanks for understanding.
PLEASE NOTE: Refunds or credits will only be provided if the meetup is cancelled by us. We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend on the day. Please change your RSVP if you no longer plan to attend. We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out.
Location: Williamsons Tavern is located in a tiny courtyard off Bow Lane in Cheapside, closest tube station is Bank. Address: 1 Groveland Ct, London EC4M 9EH. Grab a drink and come to the private room downstairs. We start promptly so please try and be on time.
Try the official Meetup app to receive last-minute updates and notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. Download it now.
These workshops are hosted by me - Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe - I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Added to that, I've been leading LWC workshops for writers since 2010 too. See more about me on LinkedIn or Insta me @LisasShare @LondonWritersCafe
Question? Post a comment below.
- Indie Publishing: What's in it for you?Link visible for attendees£10.00
If you've thought about publishing any part of your work independently, you must hear from Helen Lewis, prize-winning publishing entrepreneur and doyenne of indie publishing in the UK.
Helen has spent more than a decade advising, coaching and representing independent authors and publishers. Her expertise and practical advice about the best and worst ways to approach indie publishing, or finding the right indie publisher for you, is unmatched across the UK publishing industry. There are so many more opportunities than publishing your word doc to Amazon Kindle!
For those of you who think you might want to publish your own work, this is the information you'll need and everything you need to know to feel more confident and comfortable with how it all works.
Helen and I will be in conversation for about 45mins where I will aim to ask her about the essentials of indie publishing, especially for debut writers, but there will be plenty of time for you to ask her for specifics about your plans and projects.
We will be covering the publishing process for indies, the different types of publishing deals to be done and how to plan a winning promotional strategy for your book in the lead up to publication, followed by an open Q&A where you can ask her anything.
This session will be held online (Google Meet) as Helen's based outside of London but it will still be lots of fun! Bring your favourite drink (or two) and snacks as you listen in and, most importantly, bring your questions about how to publish your own work.
About Helen Lewis: HELEN LEWIS is a prize-winning publishing entrepreneur who has launched over 700 authors in the past 13+ years. As the Director and Founder of LitPR, a prize-winning publicity agency established in 2012 while balancing life as a new mother, Helen has built a stellar reputation for helping indie authors achieve long-term, sustainable success.
Today, LitPR specialises in author branding, book marketing, and PR campaigns that truly make a difference, particularly and proudly championing indie authors, and those looking to build their brand across publishing routes.
Passionate about diversity and inclusion in publishing, Helen co-founded The Diverse Book Awards and The Ink Book Prize with award-winning author Abiola Bello, as well as Hashtag Press, Hashtag BLAK, and Ink! Publishing Services.
A regular speaker at award ceremonies celebrating underrepresented voices and Helen envisions a future where her daughters—and all children—experience a broader, more inclusive range of stories than she encountered growing up.
A sought-after speaker in writer coaching communities and publishing circles, Helen’s workshops, keynotes, and mentoring empower authors to achieve success.
Helen’s expertise is sought at major industry events, including:- YALC 2024 & 2023: Chaired and participated in panels/workshops on indie publishing, diversity, and author branding.
- London Book Fair 2024: Chaired the Writers' Summit panel on Diversity & Inclusion and was a guest speaker at Author HQ.
- Self Publishing Conference: Presented multiple times on marketing and branding.
- Society of Authors in Manchester: Delivered a talk on book marketing.
- She has hosted, organised, and chaired over 100 author events, including book launches at Waterstones Piccadilly, Europe’s largest bookshop, and online panels like International Women’s Day celebrations.
Helen’s insights have been featured in The Guardian, Daily Mail, Working Mothers, Daily Mirror, Candis magazine, BookBrunch, The Bookseller, SME News, and more. She has been interviewed by The People's Friend, The Authors Show, Melan Magazine, London TV, and QX Magazine, sharing her expertise and personal journey.
Born in Yorkshire, Helen now lives in Kent, balancing her professional life as a single mum with her love of walking, travelling, yoga, and making memories with her teenage daughters, family, and friends. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-lewis-literally/Location: This session will be hosted ONLINE via Google Meet link which opens in your web browser so you don't need to download any confusing software. Simply click on the link provided (see event details) and allow it use your camera/mic and you've arrived at the meeting.
Tickets: £10.00 for organising, hosting and Helen's time with us. If you buy your ticket before May 2nd, it is only £7.00. Invite a guest along if you think they should be there too.
If you're not sure if this is the right session for you, please ask below and I'll be happy to answer your questions. It's for any writers at any stage really who think they might want to publish independently.
- Fiction Feedback WorkshopWilliamson's Tavern, London£12.50
Join us in 2025! In these regular writing workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for immediate feedback, advice and encouragement. Critique is led and moderated by your host.
You learn more by listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night than you can imagine. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast!
For people reading, pieces must be 3,500 words or less as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. If you'd like to read, please post a comment below. You must have booked your place before making a request to read.
If you are reading, please bring enough printed copies (at least 10) of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded.
New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback.
After the workshop, most of us head to the bar for a social drink or two and extended conversation about the joys and woes of writing.
TICKETS: £12.50 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Sorry folks, but Williamson's are now charging a considerable hire fee and so ticket prices have to reflect that additional spend. When we use other venues, tickets won't be as much. It's also my job to organise and lead these sessions so ticket price incorporates my labour in hosting these sessions for you. Thanks for understanding.
PLEASE NOTE: Refunds or credits will only be provided if the meetup is cancelled by us. We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend on the day. Please change your RSVP if you no longer plan to attend. We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out.
Location: Williamsons Tavern is located in a tiny courtyard off Bow Lane in Cheapside, closest tube station is Bank. Address: 1 Groveland Ct, London EC4M 9EH. Grab a drink and come to the private room downstairs. We start promptly so please try and be on time.
Try the official Meetup app to receive last-minute updates and notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. Download it now.
These workshops are hosted by me - Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe - I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Added to that, I've been leading LWC workshops for writers since 2010 too. See more about me on LinkedIn or Insta me @LisasShare
Question? Post a comment below.
