About Cascadia Writers
(DUES ARE CURRENTLY $55/YR, increasing to $60/year for new members in 2026.)
Camaraderie and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you are trying to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Cascadia Writers is a private writing group based in Olympia, Washington and hosted by Carmen Lane. Writers 21+ of all skills and genres and from all locations are welcome to join. We are writers who gather for camaraderie and encouragement, each focusing on our personal or professional writing projects, whatever they may be. One hour at a time, our goal is to establish and reinforce a regular writing practice. Work on your manuscript, speech, screenplay, poetry, short story, blog... whatever you like.
We offer a FREE 2-week trial period. If you enjoy our writing group, stay and pay your annual dues. Or you can leave our group if you changed your mind, or if you feel we are just not a good fit for you. That is perfectly OK and we wish you the best on your writing journey. Prospective members who decline to pay dues after the free trial period ends will be unable to RSVP to further writing sessions and so we will remove them from the group. No offense intended if this happens to you. When you are ready, you are welcome to rejoin Cascadia Writers and pay dues so that you can continue to RSVP to our writing sessions.
ALL MEMBERS (yes, even prospective members using the free-trial) must use an actual photo of themselves (not an avatar, not a photo of a pet or child, etc.), and use their legal name to join (first name OK), while also RSVPing via Meetup.
Not sure what to write? No problem! Write your author bio if you don’t already have one, use a writing prompt, create a backstory for a stranger, or try journaling or free writing your thoughts.
We are happy to help promote our writers and their works! Any member of Cascadia Writers can be featured. To be added, contact Carmen here or at our next writing session. We can include your author bio, photo, and point visitors directly to your writer website, blog, podcast, FB page, Insta, ... just about anywhere you'd like.
Writing sessions
Typical online Zoom agenda for writing sessions
- By 4:40PM, enter Zoom meeting, check mic/cam, chitchat, prepare to write.
- 4:45 PM - INTROS: A round-robin to introduce yourself to fellow writers. Share what you are working on, your goals for the session, or anything else you'd like to share. Or say, "PASS."
- 5:00 PM - TIMER STARTS: Cams off; Mics muted; we write for 1hr
- 6:00 PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! Final round-robin to share how your writing session went for you. Announcements, then see you next time!
Space is available for up to 100 writers. Join or RSVP via MeetUp
COST: FREE for members | $5 non-members/unregistered guests
BRING: Pen and paper for writing or a pre-charged laptop. Earbuds or earplugs are recommended to block out conversation, if desired.
Typical in-person agenda for writing sessions
Usually held at Cutters Point Coffee, 1340 Marvin Rd, Olympia, WA 98516
- 4:30PMish - chitchat, settle in, get coffee, prepare to write..
- 4:45PM - INTROs: A round-robin to introduce yourself to fellow writers. Share what you are working on, your goals for the session, or anything else you'd like to share. Or say, "PASS."
- 5:00PM - TIMER STARTS: We write for 1hr
- 6:00PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! If you sat at a different table, time to rejoin fellow writers for final round-robin to share how your writing session went for you, chat, take off, or keep writing. Announcements, then see you next time!
Space for up to 8 writers at our reserved table; other seats available too; all 1st come, 1st serve. It's OK to sit wherever you prefer. Join/RSVP via MeetUp
COST: FREE for members | $5 non-members/unregistered guests
BRING: Pen & paper to write or a pre-charged laptop. Earbuds or earplugs to block cafe music and conversation, if desired.
WINTER WRITING RETREAT, SATURDAY JAN 24TH, 2026
Join us for a day of focused writing in the heart of the Olympic National Park, a gorgeous drive less than 2 hours from Olympia!
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 24, 2026; 10AM-2PM
LOCATION: Lake Quinault Lodge, 345 S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575. Gather in the Quillayute Ballroom/Auditorium; doors open 9:30AM so we can settle in and prepare to write.
COST: $25 EARLYBIRD RATE for paid Cascadia Writers members who purchase by January 17th (otherwise $50) | $100 ALL OTHERS
Non-refundable. Includes complimentary hot coffee/tea and bagels.
Free parking on site. NOT INCLUDED: Overnight accommodation; meals.
Plan to write unplugged, as wifi connectivity in the rainforest is reliably unreliable. Bring your charged laptop to write offline or your favorite writing journal and pen. Spend the day working on your manuscript, speech, screenplay, poetry, short story, blog... whatever you like. Bring your warm waterproof jacket, walking stick, and a flashlight, etc., if you fancy a hike in the rainforest trails in the early morning or after we wrap-up our writing session Saturday.
If staying overnight, you must book your room directly with Lake Quinault Lodge online or call (888) 896-3818, choose option 1 for reservations, then choose option 1 again for Lake Quinault Lodge.
Rooms in the lodge are not soundproof; bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. The lodge has a sauna and heated indoor swimming pool, if you are so inclined.
Suggestion: Take advantage of their special winter discount code BOGO26 so you can stay 2 nights for the price of 1.
(I am checking in Friday 1/23; checking out Sunday 1/25.)
COST: $25 EARLYBIRD RATE for paid Cascadia Writers members who purchase by January 17th (otherwise $50)