About Inkwell
What is Inkwell?
Inkwell is an organization dedicated to developing writers, readers, and educators of writing and literature. We run free writing workshops, publish an annual zine, and maintain a website where writers anywhere can share work and read each other’s.
What does the name mean?
An inkwell is the small bottle of ink writers once dipped their quills into, the source of the writing. It’s also two words: to ink well, or to write well. Its duel meanings are the point.
What is Inkwell’s mission?
To help develop writers, readers, and educators of writing and literature. We believe every writer deserves to be taken seriously, and deserves serious readers to review and give feedback. We believe in the power and importance of writing and literature — and that money should not be a barrier to a writer who wants to improve.
When was Inkwell founded?
Inkwell began in 2015 as a casual writing meetup in Shanghai with no agenda, just a creative writing professor posting on WeChat Moments looking for other writers to swap work with. Three or four people came at first, then ten or fifteen. By 2019, meetings were drawing 25–30 writers, so we split into specialty workshops to handle the numbers. In 2020, affiliated groups began forming in other cities.
Is Inkwell a nonprofit?
Inkwell is a registered company operated on a not-for-profit basis. Nonprofit registration is difficult in China, so we operate as a company that does not aim to make a profit. Our core writing and reading workshops are always free.
Joining
谁可以加入？
Anyone interested in writing, reading, or literature. We welcome writers of all backgrounds and nationalities, at any level of experience.
What language are workshops in?
Inkwell focuses on English-language writing. Workshops are conducted in English.
Do I have to be in China to join?
No. Inkwell’s core organization is based in China, with affiliated groups in cities across the country as well as in Malaysia and Seoul. Inkwell groups have also formed organically elsewhere in North America, Europe, South Africa, and South America that run by local organizers. We don’t have an exact count, and we’re okay with that. What matters is that people are writing and reading, and no one is profiting from it.
Does it cost anything?
No. Core workshops are always free. Some larger events like retreats, theater performances charge just enough to cover their costs, like meals, rooms, or venue rental. That’s the only time money comes up.
How do I find my local group?
Just ask. Email us or message us on WeChat and we’ll point you to the nearest group. We try to keep the website updated with current groups, but asking is the surest way.
What if there’s no group near me?
There’s an online workshop open to anyone, though the timing is set for Asia. It works best if you’re in China or surrounding countries, though we’ve had members join from the US. You can also use the website forum to post work and read others’ work.
How it works
What happens at a meeting?
See So What Happens at an Inkwell Meeting? for the full picture. The short version: there’s usually a prompt, writers share work, and everyone reads each other’s pieces before meeting. The meeting itself is construction feedback or being guided through some writing prompts.
Do I have to submit work to attend?
No. If you’d rather just read and give feedback, that’s great too. We do ask that anyone who submits work reads other people’s work in return.
What is the relationship between the workshops and Visions?
Visions is Inkwell’s annual zine, featuring outstanding work from our workshops. It’s not open to general submissions. The work is drawn from the workshops themselves. The Inkwellian is published monthly, and it is open to general submissions.
What can I post on the website?
The website is a resource for writers anywhere. Anyone can post work and read others’, whether or not they attend a workshop. Some workshops use the site, some don’t. Both are fine. We ask that posted work avoid hate speech of any kind, and avoid explicit violence or sexual content, the latter in keeping with our status as a China-based organization. Respect is central to everything we do.
Collaborating
Can my organization partner with Inkwell?
Yes, and we’re genuinely interested. We collaborate with other literary organizations through co-hosted events, mutual training, joint writing contests, research, and shared grant applications. If you’d like to work with us, email or WeChat is fine.
Can I start a new Inkwell?
Talk to us. We ask that new city leaders have some experience with an existing Inkwell first, so they know how it should feel and run. We interview everyone who wants to start a group, and we don’t say yes to everyone. We’d rather have fewer, well-run groups than many that drift from what Inkwell is.
Can schools or universities collaborate with Inkwell?
Yes. We welcome partnerships with schools, universities, and educational organizations. The same contact works: email or WeChat.
Supporting Inkwell
How can I support Inkwell?
If you’re interested in leading an event or starting a group in your city, just talk to us. After a brief conversation, we can decide together whether a new initiative makes sense.
We don’t take donations. If you’d like to support our writers directly, attend a retreat or buy their books.
And honestly, Inkwell has grown past what any one person can run. We’re always looking for people who want to take on more.
______________
Contact
瑞安·索普博士
WeChat: Texaswriter
Email: submissions@inkwell.asia