Best Online Writing Communities for Writers 2025: 9 Communities Ranked

And look, I'm gonna be real with you writing is NOT a solo sport, despite what the romantic vision of the tortured artist scribbling away in a basement tells you. Ugh, I know that sounds counterintuitive. But seriously? The best writers aren't the ones who lock themselves away with their thoughts. They're the ones who've found their people.

I used to think I was supposed to figure it all out alone, you know? Just stare at the blank page, drink cold coffee, and hope inspiration magically struck at 3 AM. Spoiler: it didn't. Then I discovered online writing communities, and … well, let's just say my entire approach changed. And not just my writing my entire creative life shifted.

Why? Because online writing communities offer feedback, accountability, motivation, and real friendships with people who actually get what it's like to be a writer. These spaces are packed with people who've been exactly where you are right now (probably also procrastinating, let's be honest).

So here are nine online writing communities you absolutely should be checking out. Whether you're working on your first novel, polishing up short stories, or just looking for people who won't judge you for ranting about your characters at midnight there's a community here for you.

1. Scribophile  Best for Manuscript Feedback

Let me tell you about Scribophile first because, honestly, this place changed the game for SO many writers. And I mean that literally this online writing community has been helping writers get published for over 17 years. Dude, that's a LONG time in internet years.

Here's the thing about Scribophile: it operates on a genius karma points system. You earn points by critiquing other writers' work, and then you spend those points to get feedback on your own writing. It sounds simple, right? But what makes it brilliant is that this system guarantees quality feedback. You're not just getting random comments from trolls—you're getting thoughtful critiques from actual writers who are invested in helping each other improve.

What you get:

• Detailed manuscript feedback from writers across all genres

• Beta reader connections (seriously, you'll meet your future writing squad here)

• Writing classes taught by bestselling and award-winning authors

• Supportive community environment where actually helping each other is the culture

Perfect for: Writers who are ready to get serious feedback on their manuscripts and want to level up their craft. This isn't the place for "aw, I liked it!" comments. People here mean business (in the nicest way possible).

Cost: Free to join, but classes and premium features cost extra.

2. Critique Circle  Best for Active Learning

Oh man, Critique Circle. This is where I learned that critiquing other people's work actually made me a better writer. Like, WAY better. Counterintuitive, right? But it works.

Critique Circle has been around since 2002 (yeah, literally since the early internet), and it's one of the largest online writing communities on the web. The platform isn't trying to be flashy it's just super functional. And thousands of writers are there doing exactly what you want to do: improving their craft while helping others do the same.

Here's how it works: You critique other writers' stories to earn credits, then you spend those credits to post your own work for review. It's a beautiful cycle that keeps everyone engaged. And because people have to work for the feedback, everyone's actually invested. The lazy writers? They don't usually stick around. So you end up with a genuinely dedicated community.

What's included:

• Discussion groups on literally every topic under the sun

• Writing prompts and exercises

• Feedback on your stories from multiple writers

• Storyboarding tools and name generators

• Honest, thoughtful critique from people who get your genre

Perfect for: Writers who want honest feedback (not participation trophy comments), enjoy learning by critiquing others' work, and want an active, supportive community. This is also great if you're genre-specific there are groups for fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror, you name it.

Cost: Free to join and use.

3. Wattpad Best for Building an Audience

OK so Wattpad is a little different from the others on this list, right? Because it's not just a writing community it's a massive social storytelling platform with 90 million readers and writers. Yeah, you read that right. 90. Million.

If your goal is to share your writing AND build an audience (which, let's be honest, is pretty cool), then Wattpad is where you need to be. You upload your stories, people read them, they comment, they follow you, and boom you've got a fanbase. It's giving "democratized publishing" vibes, and honestly? It works.

The platform rewards engagement. So the more people interact with your stories reading, commenting, adding them to libraries the more visibility you get. It's not just about the writing quality; it's about community building. You can connect with readers directly, build a loyal following, and even get discovered by publishers (yes, really Wattpad has a publishing program).

What makes it special:

• Build a genuine reader base for your work

• Engagement-driven algorithm that rewards community participation

• Direct connection with your audience

• Possibility of traditional publishing deals

• Free platform for sharing your stories

Perfect for: Writers who want to build an audience alongside honing their craft, writers working in popular genres (romance, fantasy, sci-fi do especially well here), and anyone who's excited about community interaction and feedback.

Cost: Completely free, though there are paid features if you want them.

4. The Novelry Best for Structured Learning & Support

Wait, I can't believe I almost glossed over The Novelry because this place is absolutely special. It's not just a writing community it's a full-on online writing school with a STUNNING community built in.

The Novelry combines masterclasses from bestselling authors with a safe, moderated community space where you can actually get real feedback. And I mean real feedback from experienced writers and editors, not just your Aunt Carol who reads romance novels (no shade to Aunt Carol).

The platform has over 350 video masterclasses from big names Ruth Ware, Claire Douglas, Adele Parks, Lucy Foley walking you through their entire writing process. From the initial spark of an idea all the way through to marketing your book. And THEN you've got the community aspect where you can join genre-specific groups, discuss tropes, get feedback on your work, and find your critique partners.

What you're getting:

• 350+ masterclasses from bestselling authors

• Genre-specific writing groups (fantasy, sci-fi, romance, historical fiction, etc.)

• Safe, moderated community focused on constructive feedback

• Workshops and live events

• Access to a network of serious, committed writers

Perfect for: Writers who want structured learning alongside community support, anyone interested in traditional publishing, and writers who appreciate having professional guidance mixed with peer feedback.

Cost: Membership varies depending on what you're looking for.

5. Reddit's r/writing Best for Diverse Perspectives

Listen, Reddit gets a bad rap sometimes. Fair. But r/writing? This subreddit has over 2 million members, and honestly, the community is surprisingly supportive and knowledgeable.

Reddit's r/writing is great because you get such a wide range of perspectives. Seasoned published authors, people on their first draft, hobby writers, professional screenwriters—it's all mixed together. That diversity means you're gonna hear takes you might not have considered. And yeah, sometimes those takes are spicy, but mostly people are genuinely trying to help.

The subreddit has regular discussion threads about craft, publishing industry news, writing advice, genre-specific topics, and everything in between. Plus there are other sister communities like r/WritingPrompts (15.6 million members!) if you want writing inspiration, or r/ShortStories if you want to share and get feedback on finished pieces.

What it offers:

• Crowdsourced writing advice from thousands of writers

• Industry news and publishing updates

• Writing prompts and challenges

• Discussion threads on craft, genre, and publishing

• Active, engaged community (mostly)

Perfect for: Writers who want diverse opinions, people interested in publishing industry news, anyone who thrives on debate and discussion, and writers at literally any stage.

Cost: Completely free (but Reddit is Reddit, so prepare yourself mentally).

6. NaNoWriMo (Online Community)  Best for Momentum & Challenge

So, quick heads-up: the official NaNoWriMo nonprofit shut down earlier this year. I know, I know—end of an era vibes. BUT the community didn't disappear. People are still doing it. The subreddit r/nanowrimo is thriving, and writers are still challenging themselves to write 50,000 words in November (or 30 days, or whatever timeframe works for them).

NaNoWriMo was always about more than just the word count challenge. It was about community, accountability, and that electric energy of hundreds of thousands of writers all working toward the same goal at the same time. Even though the official organization wrapped up, the spirit of NaNoWriMo lives on through writers supporting writers online.

If you want that momentum-building, challenge-focused writing community experience, you can still find it. Local writing groups are still organizing their own challenges. Discord servers dedicated to writing sprints are everywhere. And the subreddit keeps it alive year-round.

What you get:

• Community-driven writing challenges

• Writing sprints and accountability (even if it's unofficial now)

• Support from thousands of writers doing the same thing

• Local community connections through independent groups

• Flexible challenges through alternatives like Novel Quest

Perfect for: Writers who thrive on deadlines and external motivation, people who work well with competition (even friendly competition), and anyone who needs a community push to finally write that book they've been thinking about.

Cost: Free (most community iterations are volunteer-run).

7. She Writes Best for Female & Non-Binary Writers

She Writes deserves its own spotlight because it's created such a specific, supportive space for women and non-binary writers. With almost 35,000 members, this online writing community has built something really special.

The platform is packed with resources everything from writing craft advice to marketing strategies to publishing industry news. But what makes She Writes different is the intentional, thoughtful community culture. Groups within the main community let you connect with writers in your specific genre or at your specific stage (debut authors, self-published writers, aspiring authors, etc.).

The founder, Kamy Wager, really understood that women writers often face unique challenges in the publishing industry. So She Writes created a space where you're not just getting feedback on your writing you're getting support from people who understand the specific roadblocks you might face.

What's included:

• Genre and stage-specific groups (debut authors, self-published, aspiring, etc.)

• Publishing industry resources and opportunities

• Marketing and promotion advice

• Member spotlights and success stories

• Supportive, intentional community culture

Perfect for: Female and non-binary writers of all genres and stages, women who want support specifically from their community, and anyone seeking a space that centers the voices and experiences of female writers.

Cost: Membership options vary.

8. Medium Best for Getting Published & Earning

Alright, so Medium is technically a platform, not a writing community in the traditional sense. But the community aspect? It's absolutely there. And the monetization angle? That's a game-changer.

Medium lets you publish medium-length to long-form articles and, if you join their Partner Program, you can actually earn money when paying members read your work. And here's the thing Medium has a built-in audience of over 100 million readers. You're not shouting into the void. There are actual people there looking for content.

The platform has an algorithm that surfaces content based on what readers are interested in. So if you write something that resonates, it can reach way more people than your immediate network. Plus there are publications on Medium (basically curated collections of articles) where editors actively look for good writers to feature. Getting published on a popular Medium publication? It's a huge signal boost.

The community aspect comes through in the comments, the followers you build, and the network of writers publishing alongside you. You can connect with other writers, learn from what's working, and build a portfolio of published work.

What you get:

• Built-in audience of 100+ million readers

• Earning potential through the Partner Program ($5/month membership)

• Algorithm-driven visibility for good content

• Publications where editors feature your work

• Platform for building your portfolio and credibility

Perfect for: Writers interested in earning from their writing, article writers and essayists, people who want a large built-in audience, and writers interested in growing their platform and visibility.

Cost: Free to read and write; Partner Program is $5 or $15/month if you want to earn.

9. Reedsy Discord  Best for Supportive, Accountability-Focused Community

Last but absolutely not least: Reedsy Discord. This online writing community has around 4,000+ members and it's one of the most supportive, genuinely kind spaces I've encountered.

Reedsy Discord is designed specifically to keep writers accountable and motivated. There's a "writing gym" feature where you can join timed writing sessions with other writers (everyone writes simultaneously, which sounds nerdy but honestly feels amazing). There are flash fiction contests. There's a daily progress thread where people share what they're working on and what they accomplished. And the moderators? They're actual authors who get it.

Plus, if you're attempting a big project like writing a novel in a month, Reedsy hosts the Reedsy Novel Sprint basically their own version of NaNoWriMo with a top prize of $5,000. But even if you're not competing for the prize, the community aspect is worth it.

The Discord format means it's very active, very real-time, and very interactive. You're not just leaving comments on a forum somewhere you're in live conversations with other writers working toward their goals.

What you get:

• Live writing sessions (the Writing Gym)

• Timed writing sprints for motivation

• Flash fiction contests

• Reedsy Novel Sprint (50K words in November with prizes)

• Daily accountability threads

• Active, supportive, real-time community

Perfect for: Writers who thrive on real-time community support, people who do well with external accountability, anyone interested in writing sprints and timed challenges, and writers who love active, live conversation.

Cost: Completely free to join.

Why These Communities Matter (And Why You Should Pick One NOW)

Look, I get it. You're busy. You might think you don't have time to join another online community. "I barely have time to write," you're thinking. Fair. But here's the thing the best writers don't do it alone.

These communities do something your solo writing time cannot do:

They keep you accountable. They push you when motivation runs dry. They give you feedback from people who actually understand the craft. They celebrate your wins. They commiserate with your failures. They remind you that you're not crazy for spending hours thinking about fictional characters.

Plus, practically speaking? A writing community can accelerate your growth. You learn by doing critiques. You get honest feedback. You see what works and what doesn't in other writers' work. You build connections that might turn into beta readers, writing partners, or lifelong friends.

The isolation of writing is real, and honestly, kind of toxic if you let it be. Writers need writers. We need people who understand why we're upset about our character's motivation or why we can't stop rewriting that one scene for the tenth time.

How to Choose Your Community (And Actually Start)

So which one's right for you? Here's the quick version:

Want detailed manuscript feedback? → Scribophile or Critique Circle
Want to build an audience? → Wattpad
Want learning + community? → The Novelry
Want diverse perspectives? → Reddit's r/writing
Want accountability and motivation? → Reedsy Discord
Want to earn money from writing? → Medium
Want community specifically for women writers? → She Writes

Honestly? You don't have to choose just one. Start with the one that calls to you. Join. Introduce yourself. Participate in a discussion. Leave a thoughtful comment on someone's work. And then let it grow from there.

The best writing community is the one you actually show up for.

The Bottom Line

Writing doesn't have to be lonely. Online writing communities exist specifically so you don't have to figure this out alone. They're free (mostly). They're accessible from literally anywhere. And they're packed with people who are exactly where you are, working toward exactly what you're working toward.

So stop scrolling. Pick one. Join today. And then introduce yourself. Because somewhere in one of these communities is your future writing partner, your beta reader, your cheerleader when you're ready to quit, and your celebration buddy when you finally finish that book.

That's why you should join an online writing community. That's why it matters. And honestly? That's why I'm here telling you this instead of making it up as I go along.

Now go find your people. ✌️