Chicago Writers Association

We are delighted to announce the #winners of the Chicago Writers Association’s 10th Annual First Chapter #Contest.

Learn more about the winning entries and prizes: chicagowrites.org/first_chapter

In this episode of the Chicago Writes Podcast, we continue the conversation with author Paul Roach. We also say goodbye to Bill Turck and this run of the podcast.

#Listen to this #episode on Podbean:
chicagowrites.podbean.com/e/one-final-...

#chicagowritespodcast #podcast #interview

#Registration is now open for the 2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference. We can't wait for you to join us!

Learn more at chicagowrites.org/conference.

#letsjustwriteconference #conference #JustWrite2026

The Write City Magazine is excited to a poem by Joshua Kepfer.

You can #read the #poem at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #poetry

Create a Successful Substack Build a dedicated audience with a Substack page that offers readers a high-quality services.

The trick to creating a successful #newsletter isn’t just posting updates about your personal #writing projects; it’s building a service that solves a problem for your readers.

Create a Successful #Substack

#Subscribe and #read now:
chicagowrites.substack.com/p/create-a-s...

#blog #writingadvice

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association #Conference #registration will open on December 1. We can't wait for you to join us in this new one-day format in June 2026 with our faculty and agents.
Learn more about the conference: chicagowrites.org/conference

When done right, a plot twist can make a story memorable. Here are five ways to make your twists land with your readers.

How to Nail a Plot Twist

#Subscribe and #read now:
chicagowrites.substack.com/p/how-to-nai...

#writecityblog #blog #writingadvice

In this episode of the Chicago Writes Podcast, we have Paul Roach on the fundamentals of research for novelists.

#Listen to this #episode on Podbean:
chicagowrites.podbean.com/e/author-pau...

#chicagowritespodcast #podcast #interview

Call for #submissions: The CWA Speakers Bureau is open for 2026!

The CWA Speakers Bureau is open to current CWA members only. Submit your listing and payment by Nov. 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CST

Learn more: chicagowrites.org/speakers_bur...

#speakersbureau #speakingengagements

The Write City Magazine is excited to #publish a short story by Ann Mumaw.

You can #read the #story at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #fiction #shortstories

#Read the latest #poems, #shortstories and more from the Write City Magazine: www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/a...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #fiction #poetry

Yes! Access to our Speakers Bureau and writing conference. You can send work to our lit journal. We have our book review service. It's worth joining anytime.

Looking for #books to get cozy with during the fall? What books have come out in the past couple of months?

Check out the latest book reviews on Windy City Reviews: www.windycityreviews.org/book-reviews

#windycityreviews #bookreviews

Hi! The contest runs from June 1 to Aug. 1 every year.

Ditch the Oldest Rule in Writing

#Subscribe and #read now:
chicagowrites.substack.com/p/ditch-the-...

#writecityblog #blog #writingadvice

[Part 2] Congrats to the #finalists of the 2025 Book of the Year Awards. #Winners will be announced in December and honored at a ceremony in January 2026.

Visit chicagowrites.org/book_of_the_... for more details.

#bookoftheyear #books

[Part 1] Congrats to the #finalists of the 2025 Book of the Year Awards. #Winners will be announced in December and honored at a ceremony in January 2026.

Visit chicagowrites.org/book_of_the_... for more details.

#bookoftheyear #books

The Write City Magazine is excited to #publish a short story by Doreen Duffy.

You can #read the #story at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #fiction #shortstories

Only two more days!

Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign you’re failing; it’s a sign you’re a writer who cares. Learn more on our latest #blog post:

Embrace Imposter Syndrome

#Subscribe and #read now:
chicagowrites.substack.com/p/embrace-im...

#writecityblog #writingadvice #impostersyndrome

The Write City Magazine is excited to publish a poem by Peter Pawinski.

You can #read the #poem at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #poetry

Reading is one of life's great escapes. But for a writer, reading can also be like an apprenticeship. Learn more on our latest blog post:

How to Read Like a Writer

#Subscribe and #read now:
chicagowrites.substack.com/p/how-to-rea...

#writecityblog #blog #writingadvice

The Write City Magazine is excited to a poem by Salvatore Difalco.

You can #read the #poem at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #poetry

The 2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association #Conference is shaking things up! More details coming soon, but mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Learn more at chicagowrites.org/conference and join our mailing list for updates at chicagowrites.org/about.

#JustWrite2026

The Write City Magazine is excited to #publish poems by Anatasia Jill.

You can #read the #poems at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #poetry

Don't forget to find us under Tent JJ on South Dearborn Street while you are at Printers Row Lit Fest this weekend!

#PRLF25 #PrintersRowLitFest2025 #LitFest2025 #PRLF

In this episode of the Chicago Writes Podcast, we have CWA's Book of the Year director, board member, and science fiction author Jotham Austin, II PhD (@jomega22.bsky.social).

#Listen to this #episode on Podbean:
chicagowrites.podbean.com/e/talkin-sci...

#chicagowritespodcast #podcast #interview

The Write City Magazine is excited to #publish a short story by Autumn Bettinger.

You can #read the #story at:
chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #fiction #shortstories

The Write City Magazine is excited to #publish poems by James Bellanca.

You can #read the #poems at:
www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

#thewritecitymagazine #litmag #poetry

Submit your first chapter to the CWA’s 10th Annual First Chapter Contest! The deadline is October 5, 2025. This opportunity is open only to dues-paying members of the Chicago Writers Association.

For submission guidelines: www.chicagowrites.org/first_chapter

#firstchapter #writingcontest