About Us

A supportive community for writers of all genres and experience levels

Welcome to Writers' Morning Out

Writers' Morning Out is a free gathering for writers of any genre based in Pittsboro, NC. Founded in 2010 by the late Al Manning, we've grown into a thriving community of writers supporting each other in our creative journeys.

Our Reach

Initially serving Chatham and Lee Counties, our group expanded in 2020 to include Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Stanly Counties. With the addition of virtual meetings, we now welcome participants from across North Carolina and across the country.

Programs & Activities

We host monthly virtual educational presentations covering topics like flash prose, narrative structure, self-editing, marketing, and small press publishing. Our annual events include:

  • Poetry Zoo – Detailed examination of 2-3 poems
  • Flash Prose Contest – 300-word maximum entries in two categories: one-syllable words only, and multi-syllable (added 2020)
  • Holiday Open Mic – Members share short works or poetry
  • Slush Pile – Editors and agents evaluate manuscript openings

Virtual Meetings

We offer two additional monthly virtual programs via Zoom:

  • Writers Discuss Writing – An open forum about the craft of writing
  • Writers Discuss Craft – Focused discussions on elements of writing technique

Join Us

Whether you're just starting out or you've been writing for years, you're welcome here. Our meetings are free and open to all writers. Join our mailing list to receive meeting announcements and Zoom links.

Part of NC Writers' Network

Writers' Morning Out is proud to be affiliated with the NC Writers' Network, North Carolina's oldest and largest statewide nonprofit literary organization.

Leadership

Regional Representatives

Penny Cottrell

NCWN Regional Rep, Chatham & Lee Counties

Tracy Crow

NCWN Regional Rep, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph & Stanly Counties

Steering Committee

WMO's programs and meetings are a collaborative effort, with dedicated volunteers contributing their time and talents to support our writing community.

Tracy Crow

Tom Dow

George Kauffman

Carol Phillips

Judith Stanton

Penny Cottrell

Catherine Duncan

Josh Cottrell (IT)

Wishing you all the best in your writing endeavors!

Penny Cottrell

NCWN Regional Rep, Central Piedmont

Our History

Writers' Morning Out was founded in 2010 by the late Al Manning (1937–2023). What began as monthly gatherings at local restaurants in Chatham County has grown into a vibrant community serving writers across central North Carolina and beyond.

In 2020, we expanded our reach to include additional counties and embraced virtual meetings, allowing writers from across the state and internationally to join our community. Today, we continue to honor Al's vision of creating a welcoming space where writers can learn, share, and grow together.