I first began hosting Writing in Good Company — as a free, online, academic writing accountability group — in January 2024. Now I run it from my home in Seattle throughout the year, with one-week breaks between each eight-week session.
Here’s what participants are saying:
“Having a set appointment in my calendar for writing was useful, to help me protect that time.”
“It is a great way to start the week in community, getting something done.”
“I always come away feeling reinvigorated.”
In May 2025, Writing in Good Company expands westward across the Pacific Ocean and beyond … with a new session timed for scholars from Honolulu to Tokyo to New Delhi. I am especially excited to co-host this session alongside Ema Naito, The Clarity Editor, who lives and works in Bangkok.
If this is the first time you’re reading about Writing in Good Company, welcome!
What to expect
Our approach to this writing group is very simple. We meet for one hour each week. We ask two questions at the start of each hour. We ask two questions at the end of each hour. In between, we write.
That’s all.
These are the two opening questions:
- How are you doing today?
Because all writing starts with a human being human.
- What will you work on today?
Because making a decision helps writers get started.
These are the two closing questions:
- How did you feel while writing today?
Because reflection helps writers observe and learn what works and what doesn’t work for them.
- When will you write next?
Because naming an intention helps writers commit.
A note about language:
Ema and I, as hosts, will speak English throughout the meetings. However, fluency in English is never a requirement. You will be welcome to write in whatever language you choose. You will be welcome to interact during the meetings and to answer the opening and closing questions in whatever language you choose. Because the goal is for this writing group to support you and your writing process.
What we ask
- Show up.
- Be kind — to yourself and to others.
- Write.
What we hope
- You will get your writing done.
- You will become more aware of your writing process.
- You will learn from other participants.
- You will become more confident and more satisfied with your writing.
For more information
This writing group is free to attend.
For scholars in Asia:
- Read more at The Clarity Editor.
- Sign up to attend Tuesday mornings (Monday afternoons in Hawai’i, Monday evenings in North America).
For scholars in North America:
- Read more at Bridge Creek Editing.
- Sign up to attend Monday mornings (Monday evenings in Western Europe).
For scholars looking for something different:
- Take a look at the list of other online writing groups and communities posted on this blog! (Most of these groups are held at times convenient to North America. Please do tell me of any groups you know of that I can add.)
Happy writing, everyone!
* * * * *
Ema Naito is a plurilingual cross-cultural English editor who is passionate about clear communication and plain language.
Kyra Freestar is a monolingual English editor and organizer who is passionate about connecting people to achieve shared goals.
Writing in Good Company is designed for early-career professors, postdocs, graduate students, and others writing academic and research-adjacent work. We welcome and encourage women, people of color, first-generation immigrants, and first-generation postgraduate students to join us. Upcoming sessions start on May 12 (North America/Western Europe) and May 13 (East/Southeast Asia), 2025.