Welcome to Shut Up & Write!
Welcome to a vibrant, global community of writers who believe in the magic of writing together. Since 2007, we’ve been helping individuals around the world create spaces—both online and in-person—where people can come together to write, share, and inspire one another.
Our Mission
Shut Up & Write!’s mission is to provide everyone with the resources, tools, and methodology to create inclusive and supportive writing groups. The organization believes that writing is for everyone and that fostering a culture of community, accountability, and encouragement helps individuals develop sustainable writing habits.
By offering a simple yet effective framework, Shut Up & Write! empowers people around the world to start and sustain writing groups, making the act of writing more accessible, enjoyable, and impactful. Through its global network, Shut Up & Write! ensures that anyone, anywhere, can build a supportive writing community that enhances productivity and well-being.
Our Community-Led Events
Events created within our community are free and open to anyone who wants to write. Using our simple methodology, each event has a straightforward structure: introductions, focused writing time, and a concluding check-in. During these events, we never share our work or critique others; we just get our writing done. Our events are hosted by organizers from our global network, so you’ll find gatherings happening in local cafés or online, no matter where you are.
Our Story
Founded in 2007 in San Francisco, Shut Up & Write! was created by science fiction writer Rennie Saunders, who recognized that many writers struggle to maintain a consistent writing routine. He launched the first chapter at Crossroads Cafe, committing to a weekly meeting with one simple rule: Shut Up and Write! This straightforward approach quickly resonated with writers looking for support and accountability.
What began with a handful of members quickly took off. After a successful first event, one eager participant suggested starting a second chapter, and before long, Shut Up & Write! had expanded to several cafes across San Francisco. The first East Coast event followed when a member relocated to New York City, setting off a global movement.
Fast forward to today, and we're proud to boast over 100,000 members in over 60 countries. Our events still revolve around Rennie's proven formula: brief introductions, focused writing time, and a final check-in to share progress. When COVID-19 hit, we pivoted to online gatherings, proving that our method works just as well through video chat. Now, we offer both in-person and online events to fit every schedule and lifestyle.
Shut Up & Write! has also made waves in academia, with professors and students hosting events at universities to tackle research projects and dissertations. Our method has become so popular that it's even the subject of academic research.
As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: to foster a fun, supportive environment for writers everywhere. Whether you're an experienced author or just starting out, come join us at Shut Up & Write!
What We're About
Empowering Writers: We give writers the tools, know-how, and support they need to help each other succeed.
Intentional Connection: We believe that bringing people together to engage in creative activities generates positivity, productivity, and friendship.
Community-Powered Support: We're all about writers supporting writers. Our community is where inspiration strikes, ideas flow, and connections form that change lives.
Global Impact: By tracking our global impact, we're showing how our community is making a difference. From cafés, to public libraries, to universities around the world, our members gather to get writing done and support each other.
Write With Us!
Become part of something bigger at Shut Up & Write! Our community believes in the power of connection and creativity. When you join us, you'll make progress on your own writing while also supporting fellow writers.
