Welcome!

Welcome to LA Writers Group!

LA Writers Group has facilitated creative writing workshops in Los Angeles since 2003, and as of August 2019, we also offer writing retreats in San Diego (Carlsbad - North County). We also offer many online workshops via live video conference (Zoom), email-based writing challenges, and coaching programs for writers who are ready to finish their first draft.

Kind

We support, encourage, and inspire writers of all genres. We’ve helped many writers establish or reestablish a productive and creative mindset, fill their pages, and learn their craft through our creative writing workshops and private coaching. We don't believe in the tough-love approach. We believe in empowering writers to explore their craft.

Supportive

We only pick leaders who lead our writing workshops with love. We hire exceptional group leaders who are adept at engaging small groups of writers. We screen them for their expertise, their diplomacy, and their belief in positive reinforcement. We believe writers need a safe space to grow.

Personal

Our creative writing workshops are never about lectures with hundreds of people. Instead, our workshops are small and geared toward individual attention. We also offer one-on-one coaching for writers working on a first draft or editing for writers with a completed manuscript.

Ask a Writing Coach

Have a burning question for a writing coach? Ask us here and we will answer relevant questions on our blog or our newsletter.


Gift Certificates

You can purchase a gift for yourself or the writer in your life. View available gift certificates.


Books by Nicole's Clients

Fiction, Nonfiction, Traditionally Published, & Self-Published


Essays, Short Stories, and Plays by Nicole's Clients

A selection of published pieces

Vigil by Katlyn Minard, published in Ligeia Magazine
Take Fountain: Finding Home Amongst LA's Historic Buildings by Anne Sawyier, published in Slag Glass City.
Séance by Katlyn Minard, published by Train River Capulet Mag
Death in a Hollywood Edit Bay by Katlyn Minard, published in print by Train River. Read her interview online.
Golden Gate, a full-length stage play by Lindsey Kirchoff, endorsed by Terri Cheney, New York Times bestseller. Featured in Playwrights' Center of San Francisco 2022 Spring Reading Series, winner of 2021 Durango PlayFest


Schedule a Free Consultation.

If we are meant to work together, we will; because of that, I don't believe in high-pressure sales tactics. My consultations are all about getting to know if we are right for each other, understanding your needs, and finding out how I can help you.

Consultations are for those who have a project and are considering coaching. Please do not schedule a consultation about workshops; please email instead.


About Nicole.

Nicole Criona - Book Coach
Nicole co-founded Los Angeles Writers Group in 2003. She authored the successful Get Writing Again in 15 Days and the 100 Days of Writing email-based daily writing challenges.
While Nicole focuses mostly on editing and coaching writers, her writing credits include both poetry and fiction (Hissquarterly.com, Strongverse.org, Six Sentences, and Narrative Magazine, placed amongst others). She has also worked as a freelance and content writer, and has been hired to rewrite screenplays.
Coaching Stats:Specialties:
—Two clients—so far!—got an agent and a book deal (both fiction and nonfiction)—see success stories
—Many clients have self-published
—Many clients have had short stories / essays published
—Thanked in seven books
—Three clients are currently seeking representation
Developmental editing and first-draft coaching for both short and full-length fiction, memoir, nonfiction, & screenplays (not television)
—Creativity coaching
—Productivity coaching
—Scene Improvement
—Structure
—Writer’s block