If you’re a writer who is hungry to take your writing to the next level by exploring the getting and giving of critique, then join me for this eight-week online class combining generative writing with manuscript feedback. Write with others, gain confidence in your unique voice, and strengthen your craft while getting and giving supportive critique. All genres and experience levels welcome!
Wild Ground Write & Respond is an eight-week online manuscript circle for six writers seeking steady, supported engagement with their wor. Grounded in the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) principles and philosophy, this course offers a carefully held container for generative writing, attentive reading, strength-based feedback, and thoughtful manuscript response.
Each week, we will gather to write together and to engage with one another’s work with care.
We’ll start with protected time to generate and share new writing before receiving and giving feedback on manuscripts submitted in advance.
But this is not a critique workshop focused on brutal honesty or you should do this…
Instead we will follow guidelines to encourage exploratory critique rooted in what the work is doing well. By focusing on craft, we maintain respect for the writers’ authority over their own work.
Together, we will grow our understanding of how good writing does what it does while improving our own and others’ manuscripts.
As a certified AWA facilitator, I will guide the group using established practices that prioritize safety, encouragement, and writer sovereignty, allowing you to stay connected to your creative impulse while benefiting from community insight.
Together we will build a space that fosters trust, creative risk, and the belief that every writer’s voice is unique and worthy of careful attention.
“Genius often emerges where there is intimate support.”
-Pat Schneider, Writing Alone and with Others
Spaces are limited to a small group; early registration is encouraged.
Lauren Carter is the author of six books, including her most recent novel The Longest Night, described as “mind-bending, psychologically disturbing, and utterly captivating.” Her second novel, This Has Nothing To Do With You, received the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction at the Manitoba Book Awards, and her short story collection Places Like These was a finalist for the 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Award.
Lauren holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and is a certified instructor in the Amherst Writers & Artists Workshop Method. Her facilitation is grounded in AWA’s core principles: respect for writer sovereignty, the belief that every writer’s voice is unique and valuable, and the creation of a safe, non-hierarchical space where creative risk can flourish.
In her workshops and retreats, Lauren emphasizes encouragement, attentive listening, and responses that reflect what the writing is already doing well. She sees the facilitator’s role not as an expert who directs the work, but as a steward of the space—holding structure, protecting trust, and supporting writers in staying connected to their own creative authority.
Through Wild Ground Writing Retreats, Lauren brings together writing, place, and community, creating environments where writers can slow down, listen deeply, and develop sustainable, self-trusting writing practices.
This includes 8 weekly sessions, generative writing time with prompts and exercises, manuscript response from peers and facilitator, and guidance from an AWA‑certified leader and experienced writer.
Wild Ground Write & Respond is offered at $449 CAD + GST
This fee reflects the small-group structure, weekly facilitation, and the care required to create a safe, non-hierarchical writing space rooted in AWA principles. By registering, you’re committing not only to your own writing practice, but to showing up as a thoughtful reader and witness for others.
Spaces are limited to a small group; early registration is encouraged.
The AWA Method is a way of leading writing workshops that supports and encourages writers using a strength-based approach. Facilitators are trained in the affirmations (ie. a writer is someone who writes) and specific practices, such as confidentiality and non-hierarchy. Each workshop leader provides education on these practices and carefully upholds them in order to maintain a structured and safe container in which the group can take creative risks and grow as artists. Find out more about AWA here.
Each session includes generative writing time and opportunities to discuss manuscript excerpts that will be submitted in advance. “Respond” refers to attentive, respectful feedback that reflects what the writing is already doing well, following the Amherst Writers & Artists Workshop Method, enabling you to build on the strength in your work, understand where it might not be succeeding as you intend, and grow it from there.
If you are a writer who would like to write with others, learn what you’re doing well and where you might improve, and understand craft on a deeper level–all without condescension, arrogance, or prescriptive advice–then this group is for you!
You will need two hours a week for the class plus time to hone your manuscript (max 5 pages) for submission and time to read and respond to others’ work in preparation for the workshop for an estimated total of 6-8 hours.
Feedback follows a clear, organized structure grounded in the Amherst Writers & Artists Workshop Method. Participants submit manuscript excerpts in advance, according to a shared schedule.
In line with AWA’s sixth essential principle, first-draft, just-written work receives no critique. A thorough critique is offered only when a writer requests it and has shared work in manuscript form.
When manuscript work is discussed, responses are balanced, with as much affirmation as there is feedback on what might not be working as the writer intends. Writers always retain full sovereignty over their work.
Why this matters: This approach protects creative risk, builds trust, and helps writers receive feedback in a way that supports both confidence and craft.
Each writer will be able to submit three manuscripts (capped at 5 pages) over the eight weeks. You will receive oral feedback from the other 5 writers. The facilitator will also give you feedback, both orally and emailed to you.
Sharing during the generative writing portion of each session is optional, though encouraged. The manuscript portion of the course is designed for participants to actively share work according to the submission schedule, and to engage as readers and responders for others. This balance supports both creative safety and meaningful exchange over the eight weeks.
The circle is intentionally small, with a maximum of 6 participants, to support depth, trust, and meaningful response. I, of course, will also be there to facilitate and may have an assistant sometimes.
Live participation is strongly encouraged. Sessions will not be recorded to maintain a safe, intimate environment where writers can take creative risks and share freely. If you need to miss a session, you will still receive the prompts used that week along with suggestions for engaging with them on your own. You are also welcome to email your feedback to the writer scheduled for that week, so you can stay involved even if you can’t attend live.
No. This is an online manuscript circle. While it shares values with Wild Ground retreats, it doesn’t replace the immersive, place-based retreat experience.
This is important to know!
If you cancel your registration prior to 30 days before the event, you will receive a full refund. Due to the time and energy required to create and market events, our events are non-refundable within one month of the start date. However, you may transfer your spot to another participant, be enrolled in a future class, or obtain a credit, as long as you notify us before the workshop or class begins. Once the class starts, refunds and transfers are no longer available. If you have questions or need to explore your options, please don’t hesitate to reach out at lauren@wildgroundwriting.com
This workshop is a small, high-touch circle, capped at six participants, running over eight weeks with live sessions, generative writing, and structured manuscript feedback. The cost reflects the time, care, and attention required to hold a safe, supportive, and AWA-aligned container for both writing and response, facilitated by me, an experienced author and certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator.
Becoming certified in the AWA method requires completing an immersive training program in the method’s philosophy, practices, and leadership skills so facilitators can hold generative, non‑hierarchical writing spaces that affirm voice and build confidence in craft. This certification ensures that the workshop follows the full AWA approach, including balanced feedback only on submitted manuscript work, and responses grounded in strengths rather than critique.
It is intentionally priced below Wild Ground retreats, which include lodging, meals, and in-person immersion, so you can experience deep engagement with your work online while maintaining accessibility and sustainability.