Brandywine Valley Writers Group

06/15/2026

Last minute reminder: If you're planning on attending our Summer Social tomorrow at Ryan's Pub, please RSVP via MeetUp so we can have an accurate head count. Thanks!

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05/21/2026

BVWG was delighted to welcome Brian Howard, former editor of Philadelphia Magazine, as our May speaker on Wednesday. Brian’s visit was an engaging and informative discussion about magazine writing, editing and story pitching in today’s media landscape. Thanks for making the trip out to West Chester, Brian!

Join us June 16 for our Summer Social, with light snacks provided by the BVWG and cash bar upstairs at Ryan's Pub.

02/15/2026

Critique Night
Our next Critique Workshop is scheduled for April 21, 7:00 at Ryan’s in West Chester. Submit your work for a critique session or join us in assisting fellow writers to improve their craft.
If you plan to attend, please
• FIRST, please RSVP on Meetup.
If you plan to submit -
• Submissions are due by April 7.
• Submissions should be 3000 words or less.
• Submissions should be formatted to professional standards. See https://www.shunn.net/format/ for further guidance.
• Email your submission as an attached PDF or Word file to [email protected].
• Provide context for the critique. Is this a flash fiction, a short story, or part of a longer work? If part of a longer work, explain how it fits into the larger narrative.
If your submission is selected -
• Please show up. We’re reserving a space for you. It’s normal to be nervous, but we’re very nice to anyone brave enough to submit. We’re extra nice if you’re just beginning your writing journey.
• Bring copies of your work. Generally, 5-8 people will need them.
After your submission is accepted -
• We will send a link for all submissions ONLY to those who RSVP’d for attending via Meetup. This is a secure link for members and attendees who RSVP’d to review your work before the meeting.

Manuscript format for fiction writers, the way the professionals do it. It's the online formatting guide more editors point to than any other. Created by Hugo and Nebula Award nominated author William Shunn.

01/21/2026

Nine tips from professional editors and bestselling writers to tackle scenes with sensitive material.

01/20/2026

In this interview, author David Arndt discusses his changed philosophy while writing his new book, Philosophy of Writing.

01/11/2026

Just a few more days until the BVWG Reading Night Jan. 20 at Ryan's Pub in West Chester! We invite you to read a selection of your work to a live audience. Here are the guidelines:

* Readings should be no more than 7 minutes.
* Dues-paying BVWG members will get priority to read their work.
* Completed pieces as well as works-in-progress or a section from a novel are equally welcome.
* No judgment or critique. This is an enjoy-the-stories kind of night.

Reading your work aloud is a great opportunity to become comfortable with it while in a safe space among friends. Readings are about celebration, not evaluation. Come on out and celebrate the voices of your fellow writers!

*** This is the only way to secure a reading spot, so please read carefully! ***

If you want to be a reader, please send a 75-word, third-person bio to [email protected]. Your bio can be less but not more than 75 words. Your bio will be used to introduce you and your work. Remember that dues-paying members will get priority.

We're looking forward to seeing you and hearing you!