Our Mission
JCW seeks to create a nurturing and inclusive creative environment. We believe writers benefit most from uplifting support and constructive criticism. We believe in equality of writing and writers and open our doors to every experience level, every style, and every genre.
Dedicated to building a community
Jersey City Writers (JCW) is a nonprofit organization in Hudson County, NJ. We are dedicated to building a community for writers to develop and explore their craft by interacting with other writers. We inspire and support each other through dozens of monthly events, including workshops, writing prompts, marathons, and special events.
All genres are welcome. Our diverse meetings cater to writers of novels, plays, poems, memoirs, short stories, and more. Stop by and bond with other people who understand the complicated yet satisfying process of creating something from nothing.
Our History
JCW was first founded in 2009, when a small group of writers organized once a week to write together and share work. Under the leadership of founders Rachel Poy and Jim DeAngelis, the group thrived. Through partnerships with other groups and venues, the weekly meetings quickly expanded and multiplied as more writers joined the fold.
In 2013, JCW added quarterly Genre events, and in doing so made public readings of its members’ work a regular part of the group.
In 2014, JCW introduced one of its most unique features, the Full Story group. This expanded the ability of JCW as a whole to nurture full book-length manuscripts instead of just shorter pieces or excerpts.
In 2018, JCW became an official nonprofit organization. This has opened up new possibilities for the group, including increased community involvement and more educational events. The following year, JCW received its first grant from Andco Coworking Space, enabling the group to bring all of its regularly scheduled events under one roof. JCW also received a Writing Residency through Hudson County Community College Department of Cultural Affairs.
Today, JCW partners with other local and national writing groups, including the Jersey City’s Art House, NaNoWriMo, the Jersey City Arts Council, Jersey City Slam, to run programs and host events that serve writers and other creative individuals in the New York metro area. We partner with local businesses and public venues for these events, as well; such organizations include Barrow Mansion, the Hudson County Community College, the West Village Gallery, and the Van Waganen Apple Tree House.