Writing Like a Wolf
Challenges and Communities for the Writer in You
Wolf Criers Club
Vol 29
Many people see other artists, writers, and creatives as competition. I’ve found something very different. My experience as a professional artmaker has proven to me that I make better stuff when I am part of a group.
Call it what you will - mastermind, cohort, critique group, homeroom, creative community - writers need early readers and listeners as they develop their voice.
When I first became serious about writing compelling plays, I got involved with a group. We called ourselves The Writer's Roundtable, ‘Roundtable’ for short, and met every other week to read new pages. We met in borrowed spaces at local theaters, a pub, and a commuter college campus when we moved the meetings to Sunday evenings when the spaces were empty.
“Who’s bringing pages to Roundtable?” was the query I’d send a few days before our meetup.
We formalized the process with three playwrights signing up in advance and bringing pages.
Because these were plays, hearing them out loud with multiple voices was essential to understanding rhythm and subtext. We were a closed group and got to know each other's work over time. We helped each other hone the plays and find submission opportunities and workshops.
We became a collective brain-trust.
This experience was vital to my growth as a writer.
When I began looking into adapting my story skills to picture books two years ago, I also began a search for collaborators and colleagues. I posted a Zoom link for a regular weekly meet-up to help us get through the course.
Wolf Criers Club was born.
I also joined the professional organization SCBWI - The Society of Picture Book Writers and Illustrators. I found the contact information on their site for organizers of groups in my region and local geographic area. Through attending regional Zoom meetings I have become acquainted with many writers and illustrators.
Within my local group, we meet for in-person table sessions in addition to readings on Zoom. We meet in person several times a year with an established picture book author who enjoys hearing our work and giving us feedback. Most professionals enjoy helping new people navigate aspects of the professional world.
Seeking out connections and interconnections is a way to practice skills and boost your range of impact.
Last week Wolf Criers Club featured a calendar of online arts challenges. Inspired by the positive response, we assembled a similar list of writing challenges. While some are picture-book specific, others are for any writing project.
Let us know if you’ve participated in a challenge, or if there’s one we missed that you’d like us to know about.
Spring
NaPoWriMo - 30 Poems in 30 Days
This online community project started in 2003 and is to inspire and connect poets across the world. Check the website for updates and a schedule.
Indie Author Project - Libraries help indie authors get the recognition they deserve for writing great books. Submissions open April 1 thru May 31. Check their website for guidelines.
Summer
World Anvil - World Building Summer Camp
Loads of prompts and tips for building a solid world under your character's feet.
Fall
NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month - a worldwide community of writers writing. This organization helps writers meet in live community sessions and tracks numbers online. Check out their site for additional information, tips, challenges, and ways to be connected. Do the classic ‘write a novel in a month' or choose a system and timeline that works for you.
NaNonFiWriMo
National Non-Fiction Writing Month - Start and complete a work of non-fiction in 30-days.
NaNoEdMo
National Novel Editing Month - If editing your novel is dogging you, jump in with this community challenge to get the words right.
November PAD Chapbook Challenge
For the poet in you, get your chapbook together with a community boost.
January/February 2026
12x12 - a Picture Book Writing Challenge and Community - it's a time-tested way to generate a variety of picture book stories helmed by a professional community.
Ongoing throughout the Year:
NYC Midnight
Creates inspiring writing challenges for storytellers around the world. Genres include 100-word micro-fiction, short story flash fiction, rhyming story and others. Timed events are held throughout the year.
Wri-Ye (Writing Year)
A Full Year of Writing Challenges - You set your own goal and break it down into monthly challenges. Check out this site for prompts and tips.
Story A Day Challenge
Tips and guidance to build your daily writing habit.
Micro Story Contests from picture book author Susan Hill
A Picture Book author who sponsors short writing contests throughout the year on various themes. Sign up to receive notifications about contests and new authors in the picture book world from a professional.
Storyteller and Writer Communities
5 AM Writers Club
Pass the donuts, make the coffee - AND WRITE! Early morning writing charge with community.
Pathfinders Writing Collective
Your path, your pace, your community - connected thru Instagram
Heart Breathings
Brings writers together in an encouraging and uplifting environment where we can write together, exchange ideas, and have fun. Features daily livestreams, monthly community events, and loads of conversation.
WriteMentor
WriteMentor started as a summer mentoring program that has since grown into a year-round team of leading authors offering 1-2-1 and group mentoring and editorial services for writers of Picture Books, Chapter Books, Teen, Middle Grade, and Young Adult.
Aaaaaaand ... mark your calendars for the Wolf Criers Club March Folklore Challenge - Hosted by the Wolf Criers Club - a 7-day challenge with daily prompts kicking off on March 17th inspired by Irish Folklore. The prompt list will be shared in the upcoming days.
Grab your shillelagh and pluck a shamrock for your bonnet for a week of enchanted doodling.
Kato McNickle composed this week’s newsletter.
Photograph contributions by Kato McNickle.
Wolf Criers Club is a collective of illustrators, writers, innovators, and wolves. We explore aspects of dynamic storytelling each week through pictures and words, how to improve, and where to take it next. Why not run with us?
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The wolf-wearing-glasses logo is by Wolf Crier Michael Luk.
So true!
Love these reflections. Creativity is more about collaboration and choices than competition, for sure.