Events

Pen & Pier is a society of writers who support each other’s creative efforts. We do that by hosting different kinds of regular events.

October 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1 SJ Write-in, Critique Night	2	3 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	4 Kreuzburg Write-in, Writing with Littles
5	6 Writing Prompt	7 SJ Write-in	8	9	10 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	11 Kreuzburg Write-in
12	13 Writing Prompt	14 SJ Write-in	15 Critique Night	16	17 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	18 Kreuzburg Write-in, Writing with Littles
19	20 Writing Prompt	21 SJ Write-in	22	23	24 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	25 Kreuzburg Write-in
26	27 Writing Prompt	28 SJ Write-in	29	30	31	Kreuzburg Write-in

September 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		2 SJ Write-in	3 Critique Night	4	5 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	6
7	8 Writing Prompt	9 SJ Write-in	10	11	12 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	13
14	15 Writing Prompt	16 SJ Write-in	17 Critique Night	18	19 SLO Writing Retreat, Accountability Check-in	20 SLO Writing Retreat
21 SLO Writing Retreat	22 Writing Prompt	23 SJ Write-in	24	25	26 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	27
28	29 Writing Prompt	30 SJ Write-in

August 2025

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	2
3	4 Writing Prompt	5 SJ Write-in	6 Critique Night	7	8 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	9
10	11 Writing Prompt	12 SJ Write-in	13	14	15 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	16
17	18 Writing Prompt	19 SJ Write-in	20 Critique Night	21	22 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	23
24	25 Writing Prompt	26 SJ Write-in	27	28	29 SLO Write-in, Accountability Check-in	30
31

Write-ins

Fridays: This is dedicated time for writers with busy lives to, y’know, write. Settle in and grab a bite while making progress on your creative projects. We also bounce ideas around and sometimes have word sprints.

9am Tuesday at Panera, 5110 Cherry Ave, San Jose, CA 95118.

Writers With Littles

Every other Saturday: Parents who write know that balancing life and creative time can get a little one-sided. This isn’t about involving children with your writing; it’s a chance for parents to write together while minding the kiddos in a common space. 10:30am alternating Saturdays at Nova Coffee, 1156 E Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande.

Critiques

1st and 3rd Wednesdays: We gather online to give each other critiques on short works (flash fiction, short stories, chapters, scenes, etc — up to 3,000 words). Submit yours or read one in advance to contribute while improving your critical thinking skills.

8:30pm on the first Wednesday of the month via Discord.

Writers Online

4th & 5th Wednesdays: Other mid-week meetings are for social time and general writing discussion. No agenda, just casual shop talk.

8:30pm on other Wednesdays of the month via Discord.

Check-ins

Fridays: Accountability check-ins are a great way to mark your progress … or commiserate with those who didn’t quite reach their goals for the week. Whether you have specific word count or just need a reminder, ask Michelle to join the list for a friendly end-of-the-week check.

Friday evenings via Discord.

Writing Prompts

Mondays: Start the week by responding to a question, challenge, or statement to inspire your creative side.

Online via Discord.