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Meetup Ratings and Featured Comments

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Number: 81 recent ratings

Average: 4.75

"Got free cookies and rice crispies from Davannis Pizza and Hot Hoagies - East Side - this time."

Paul Azeti (May 14, 2008)

"Great bunch of creative writers! It's always a pleasure to get together and help and encourage each other (and commiserate about our difficulties.)"

Janice Wagar (May 14, 2008)

"This group has a great mix of people and lots of smiles to go around! I look forward to how this group will continue to enrich my life and enhance my writing."

Eve Cain (Apr 24, 2008)

"there's always interesting people and scintillating conversation."

Ricky E Foos (Apr 22, 2008)

"Friendly environment in which to get good useful feedback about your work!"

Mike Lewis (Apr 22, 2008)

"Friendly. Easy going. Professional."

John Kipling (Apr 21, 2008)

"You should join this group because we will eventually rule the earth."

Terry Faust (Apr 21, 2008)

"This supportive and knowledgeable group enjoys a wide range of writing experience."

Sharon (Apr 21, 2008)

"I love how this group welcomes and supports writers at every level--from those who've had professional publications to those who are writing their first stories."

Jaye Lawrence (Apr 20, 2008)

"Great people, food and laughs are just a bonus to the wonderful advice everyone brings to the group. These meetings always inspire me even if I didn't submit something to be critiqued."

Amy (Apr 9, 2008)

"The group is solid. I think we have amazing brainstorming and critique sessions."

Matthew Lee Davis (Apr 9, 2008)

"These are great people. The critiques were honest, but always given in a respectful, encouraging manner. We enjoy each other's insights and company."

Jess Harris (Apr 1, 2008)

"Being a part of this group makes being a writer a meaningful growth experience."

Chris Gibson (Mar 31, 2008)

"Good group of folks. Solid support."

Dan Reid Shamin (Mar 30, 2008)

"Best dang people with interesting ideas that make you go, "Hmmmm.""

Brett Slocum (Mar 30, 2008)

"The Twin Cities SF Writers are a good group -- we have fun networking and discussing writing and gossip about the field. If you're curious, join us!"

Hilary Moon Murphy (Feb 20, 2008)

" Hell, it's even a good meetup!"

Justin Hartley (Feb 17, 2008)

"A great night and diverse group which will make for fun and educational dynamics. We have a cookbook author, science fiction writers, a comic book writer, a "stream of consciousness witer, a couple novelests and short story writers."

J. Michael Blumer (Feb 12, 2008)

"What I liked about the past meetings is the sort of relaxed atmosphere of a bunch of writers getting together to talk about their stories. And I know there might not be so much utility in being too relaxed. We were discussing how to keep the meetings from going on too long. But heck, I live for these crazy Sundays, even if that means an extra half hour or so of people telling me my story sucked."

Voo (Feb 6, 2008)

"I had a nice time and will definately be back."

Tony (Jan 28, 2008)

"Direct, but not nasty. Praise is sincere and just as well supported as critcism."

Leland (Jan 24, 2008)

"Looking forward to the next meeting. Always lots of good info shared."

Douglas V (Jan 8, 2008)

"Tres neato."

Roy C. Booth (Dec 18, 2007)

"A great mix of professional, semi-professional, and amateur spec fic writers. Critiques are friendly and useful. A nice sense of camaraderie. Good place to get market info and share ideas."

Karl Wolff (Nov 18, 2007)

"accepting, welcoming, friendly"

Geoffrey Saign (Nov 18, 2007)

"good mix of people. i look forward to seeing everyone again."

Lissa (Nov 13, 2007)

"This is a great group. I can't wait for future opportunities to get to know everyone. I'm glad I found this group."

Cjad Elstad (Aug 2, 2007)

"So far, this group is doing great work in helping writers in the Twin Cities network. Keep up the great work!"

Allen Tipper (Aug 2, 2007)

"The members sitting at my immediate left and right had both previously sold stories and this confirms the fact that there are serious and professional participants in the group. I got to see a copy of the first Drabbler book. "

Norman Riger (Aug 2, 2007)

"Great Fun!"

Jack Brennan (Aug 2, 2007)

"Stardust is a FANTASTIC movie and one I WILL be adding to my collection once it comes out on DVD"

Linda (Aug 1, 2007)

"I really enjoyed the meeting and I thought everyone was helpful with their feedback. Unfortunately I need to join a group that meets during the workweek since my wife and I consider weekends to be ?sacred? ;-)"

Gedin (Apr 23, 2007)

"I'm very pleased by the caliber of writing and thoughtful critiques. "

Karen (Apr 24, 2006)

"A great group of concerned and caring people."

Rick (Apr 23, 2006)

"Fun, diverse group without the "hard" critique rules of other groups I've been in. I intend to make this group a regular thing."

Philip Shill (Mar 23, 2006)

"The comfort level was far better than other groups of this type that I've belonged to in the past. Well organized and well run."

Steve (Feb 27, 2006)

"Great group to be with & share ideas."

Chris (Feb 20, 2006)

"A wonderful group, I'm proud to be a member!"

Shai Molly (Feb 6, 2006)

"It was fantastic talking to another writer about some of the sideline projects that I've been working on in regards to world development."

Ferin (Oct 14, 2005)

See all member comments

About this Meetup





(Twin Cities Speculative Fiction Writers Network)



  • A chance to share writing goals, and keep each other on task;


  • A place for general networking and chat about writing SF;


  • Small celebrations to honor publishing milestones;


  • Short group readings where members can share stuff that they are working on and get light feedback;


  • A monthly writers workshop for more in depth critiquing;


  • Chats with well-known local authors like Lyda Morehouse, Patricia C. Wrede and Pamela Dean at monthly Kaffee Klatches where we invite in a guest speaker for coffee and a meal;


  • Promotion of the Speculations reading series at Dreamhaven Books (mostly local SF authors...)


  • "Dinner and a Movie" events where we watch great films in the genre and make fun of the dialogue afterwards;


  • Group programming and parties at local SF conventions;


  • Market news, kibbitzing, and fun.








Click on the links below to view our additional pages!



    Our Official FAQ for new members -- a must read!

      A description of all of our different types of events, with some photos. Everything that you want to know about our events is in our Event FAQ!

      Our Files FAQ tells you all about files, and how our group uses them.

      Our Leadership FAQ tells you all about the many volunteers who organize this group! Includes photos and links to their profiles so that you can contact them.


    Everything about our writing workshop and how it works.

    Useful links, writing resources and time wasters.

    A slideshow of some of our event photos... We use this image to advertise on other websites.







If you have further questions, ask me. I'll be happy to answer them.


We look forward to seeing you at a future event!


Hilary Moon Murphy
Official Group Dis-Organizer

























Here is a list of some of the published members of this group!


Note: Contact me if you are a member of this group and want a listing added or changed. People are always breaking in with first sales, so if I missed one, please let me know!


Minnesota Authors


  • Joel Arnold
    A prolific short story writer from Savage with over three dozen short story sales.
  • Kelly Barnhill
    Minneapolis author of poetry, short stories, and literary fiction, recently published in the Rake.
  • Bruce Bethke
    Award-winning Saint Paul science fiction writer and group curmudgeon. Former president of SFWA. Here is a list of his novels and short stories.
  • J. Michael Blumer
    A Stillwater Fantasy author with a five book YA series: The Secret Books of Gabendoor.
  • Brian Bock
    Minneapolis author of a Crimson Night, a web comic.
  • Roy C. Booth
    Bemidji author, poet, game designer, journalist, essayist, and scriptwriter (radio, stage, and screen). He has over 40 plays published!
  • Eve Cain
    Minneapolis Erotica and Speculative Fiction author.
  • Holly Day
    Minneapolis author of lots of SF stories and a bunch of non-fiction books.
  • Maggie Della Rocca
    Minneapolis contest winner and short story author.
  • Karen Engelsen
    Minneapolis non-fiction author and book doctor.
  • Stella Evans
    A Minneapolis science fiction and fantasy writer who has published in "Strange Horizons, Talebones, ChiZine, FB, Challenging Destiny, Minnesota Medicine, others..."
  • Terry Faust
    Minneapolis based photographer, screenwriter and author of the very funny novel, Z is for Xenophobe.
  • Andre Guirard
    Plymouth science fiction and fantasy author of short stories, radio plays and one science-fictional puppet show.
  • Eric Heideman
    Award-winning Minneapolis Science Fiction writer and editor of TOTU.
  • Doug Hulick
    St. Paul fantasy writer, member of the Wyrdsmiths Writing Group.
  • Chris Knox
    Minneapolis speculative fiction writer with stories in two upcoming anthologies.
  • Naomi Kritzer
    Acclaimed Minneapolis fantasy writer, author of many novels and short stories.
  • Dena Landon
    Minneapolis YA Fantasy writer, author of Shapeshifter's Quest.
  • Jaye Lawrence
    This St Paul science fiction writer has sold stories to Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine and Great River Review.
  • Michael Merriam
    Hopkins SF&F writer who has sold several short stories.
  • Hilary Moon Murphy
    Minneapolis fantasy author of several short stories and a couple pieces of non-fiction. Currently working on a novel.
  • Barbara Patten
    MISFITS contest winner.
  • Norman Riger
    Minneapolis poem lizard and author of much flash fiction.
  • Lee Rupprecht
    Author of novel P.A.C.E. Force.
  • N.J. Saunders
    Saint Paul writer and photographer.
  • Dan Reid Shamin
    Minneapolis Science Fiction writer, comic book artist and Fringe Festival playwright.
  • Brett Slocum
    Minneapolis gaming, erotica and speculative fiction writer. Here's his bibliography.
  • Karen Swanberg
    Minneapolis speculative fiction Writer who has sold stories to "Flashshot" and "Abyss & Apex."
  • Adam Stemple
    Professional musician, poker player and novelist from Minneapolis. You can find out more about him on his website.
  • Douglas Texter
    Minneapolis science fiction writer and satirist. Writers of the Future Winner, and author of many, many stories.
  • Douglas Van Dyke, Jr.
    Oak Park Heights writer of swords & sorcery fantasies for adults and mature teens. His work is currently
    set in the magical world of Dhea Loral.
  • Chris Williams
    Published game designer from Osseo.
  • Jason D. Wittman
    Professional game designer, and author of lots of published short stories, and the only person I know who fits entire short stories on his business cards.
  • Karl Wolff
    Rochester historian, writer of speculative fiction and erotica author. Here's his bibliography.






Non-Local Authors


  • Michael Amos
    British Novelist who is gracing us with his virtual presence on our message boards. Here's his website.
  • Scott F. Falkner
    Madison author of many short stories and several dark fantasy novels.
  • Shay Rockhold
    Author of several non-fiction books (and a few fantasy short stories) from South Carolina.
  • Bob Watkins
    Non-fiction author from Texas.



Still want to know more about our members? Check out our member bloglist.


















Image Credits


"Not of this Earth." © 2006 Dan Chusid - pbase.com/camera0bug.

"Positronik Robot", courtesy CERN (Organisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire) and Terry Faust.

Space ship and wizard emoticons are courtesy emoticons4u.

Cool Navigational text links courtesy cooltext.com.







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