Our Activities
About Us
SDWC is all about promoting the study of the art of writing in all its aspects. We really are, it says so in our constitution.
We have an eclectic mix of members: those who write for pleasure, those who write for publication but are still awaiting the profit, those who write for a living (lucky souls), those who edit, those who just enjoy reading. Everyone is welcome.
Set up in 1954, we’re still going strong and enjoy a loyal membership. We love to welcome new members, so if you have an interest in writing come join us. We’re happy to see you.
Monthly Circle Meetings
Everyone is welcome at the main group meeting, which takes place on the first Wednesday of each month. Currently the venue is the Taliesin Centre in Swansea, with a Zoom link for those who can’t attend in person, but please see details of individual events. At these meetings, we hear from authors and discuss the otherwise solitary experience of writing. We sometimes run workshops. If you would like to attend as a guest, please Email the Secretary
Feedback Group & Poetry Group Meetings
As well as our main monthly meetings, we have a Feedback Group which meets on the third Thursday of the month, where members share their writing and give each other supportive feedback.
There is also a Poetry Group where members meet monthly, usually on a Saturday, to read and discuss poetry.
These gatherings are friendly and informal and are only open to members. If you are interested in becoming a member, please see the Membership Application Form
Publications
We occasionally publish anthologies of members writing, which sometimes include the winning or shortlisted stories from our external competitions.
We have published four anthologies in recent years, including a book of short stories and poems to commemorate WWI, which won the anthology of the year award from the National Association of Writers Groups.
Writing Competitions
From time to time, we organise external writing contests which everyone is welcome to enter. Details of any current writing competitions will be announced in our News section. The shortlisted entrants may be published on the website or in an anthology.
For members only, we also hold monthly writing challenges which are set by our guest speakers. The winners of these informal contests gain points. The members who earn the most points in various different categories win trophies which they can keep for the year.
Social Events
We hold regular coffee events where members meet in a Swansea café for an informal chat.
When possible, we hold an annual dinner shortly after Christmas, at a restaurant in or around Swansea. These friendly events are also the occasion for announcing the winners of our various writing trophies. These include awards for poetry, fiction, non fiction and a special ‘most published’ award.
In the summer, we generally hold a social event for members in August, such as a barbecue or picnic, instead of a formal meeting.
