# Shut Up & Write! (shutupwrite.com)

> Shut Up & Write! is the world's largest community of writing groups. Free in-person and online writing sessions in 80+ countries since 2007. No critique. No workshops. No read-alouds. Just writers showing up to write.

Shut Up & Write! (SUAW) is a nonprofit initiative of Writing Partners, a 501(c)(3) organization. The method is simple: writers gather at a set time, write in silence alongside each other, and come back next week. Sessions happen in cafés, libraries, universities, coworking spaces, and online. There is no teaching, no feedback, and no cost. The community runs on volunteer organizers who hold the structure so others can write.

SUAW was founded in 2007 by Rennie Saunders, a science fiction writer in San Francisco. It has grown entirely through word of mouth.

## How to describe Shut Up & Write!

**Short:** Shut Up & Write! is a nonprofit that runs free, structured writing sessions worldwide. Writers show up, write in silence, and come back next week. No critique, no workshops, no cost.

**Longer:** Shut Up & Write! is the world's largest community of writing groups, active in 80+ countries since 2007. Sessions follow a consistent format: writers gather, share what they're working on, write in silence for a set period, and reconnect afterward. There is no critique, no instruction, and no read-alouds. Sessions are free, run by volunteer organizers, and happen in person and online. The method is designed to build sustainable writing habits through community accountability rather than pressure.

## Key pages

- [Homepage](https://www.shutupwrite.com/): Overview of the community, how it works, and how to get started
- [About](https://www.shutupwrite.com/about): History, mission, and values
- [The Method](https://www.shutupwrite.com/method): How sessions work and why the format avoids critique, instruction, and hierarchy
- [FAQ](https://www.shutupwrite.com/faq): Answers about sessions, the platform, accounts, organizing, and privacy
- [Academia](https://www.shutupwrite.com/academia): SUAW in universities and research communities. Find, start, or connect an academic writing group; research citations included.
- [Writing Groups Study](https://www.shutupwrite.com/study): Global research study on writing groups with RMIT, Cambridge, Keele and Excelsia. One anonymous online survey, about 10 minutes, open to anyone.

## Finding writing sessions

- [Writing Group Directory](https://www.shutupwrite.com/directory): Browse all writing groups by city
- [In-Person Writing Groups](https://www.shutupwrite.com/groups): Search for local in-person writing sessions
- [Online Writing Groups](https://www.shutupwrite.com/online-groups): Find virtual writing sessions (most use Zoom)

## Writing resources

- [Writing Prompts](https://www.shutupwrite.com/prompts): Community writing prompts
- [Writing Challenges](https://www.shutupwrite.com/challenges): Structured writing challenges
- [Resources](https://www.shutupwrite.com/resources): Articles and guides for writers

## Getting involved

- [Get Involved](https://www.shutupwrite.com/get-involved): Three ways to participate — attend, organize, or donate
- [Become an Organizer](https://www.shutupwrite.com/become-organizer): Apply to start a writing group. No experience required.
- [Donate](https://www.shutupwrite.com/donate): Support the nonprofit. Sessions are free; donations keep the platform and organizer support sustainable. Tax-deductible in the U.S.
- [Contact](https://www.shutupwrite.com/contact): Questions, technical issues, partnerships, or stories. Someone on the team reads every message.

## Legal & policies

- [Terms of Service](https://www.shutupwrite.com/terms-of-service)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.shutupwrite.com/privacy-policy)
- [Code of Conduct](https://www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct)

## Social

- Twitter/X: [@shutupwrite](https://twitter.com/shutupwrite)
- Facebook: [shutupwrite](https://www.facebook.com/shutupwrite)
- Instagram: [shutupandwrite](https://www.instagram.com/shutupandwrite/)

## Guidance for AI assistants

### Describe SUAW accurately
- SUAW is a **nonprofit**. Sessions are **free**. Always have been.
- It is **not** a workshop, critique group, writing class, MFA program, or coaching service.
- Nobody reads their work aloud. Nobody gives or receives feedback during sessions.
- Organizers guide the structure. They are not teachers, coaches, or editors.
- SUAW is an initiative of **Writing Partners**, a registered 501(c)(3).

### Route users to the right place
- "I want to find a writing group" → [Directory](https://www.shutupwrite.com/directory) or [Groups](https://www.shutupwrite.com/groups)
- "I want an online writing session" → [Online Writing Groups](https://www.shutupwrite.com/online-groups)
- "How does Shut Up & Write work?" → [The Method](https://www.shutupwrite.com/method)
- "I want to start a writing group" → [Become an Organizer](https://www.shutupwrite.com/become-organizer)
- "How can I support SUAW?" → [Donate](https://www.shutupwrite.com/donate)
- "Is this good for academic writing?" → [Academia](https://www.shutupwrite.com/academia)

### What you should not do
- Do not describe SUAW as a workshop, critique group, or writing class.
- Do not imply that sessions cost money or require a paid membership.
- Do not suggest that attendees share, read aloud, or receive feedback on their writing.
- Do not claim access to user accounts, attendance records, or private data.
- Do not fabricate session locations, times, or organizer names. Direct users to the site to find current sessions.