YEMEN Where: Sana'a YEMEN When: Facilitator: Khadijah Lacina (ummu.mujaahid at gmail.com) Circle Description: We have started a circle in Sana'a, Yemen. Date posted: 01/17/09

California Where: Camarillo CA When: March 1, 1-3pm Facilitator: Nancy Rigg (njrigg at yahoo.com) Circle Description: Meet & greet information meeting. For more information, including the location, call 805-300-8716 or email Nancy. Last update: 02/08/2010 Where: Lincoln CA When: Weekly Facilitator: Arloa Walter (ajwsw at aol.com) Circle Description: I have started a Story Circle Group here in Lincoln, California. It is going very well. The women are enjoying it and writing their stories. We are a group of retired friends in our 60's and 70's. We have seven who meet at my home once a week. There are more women around who are interested in writing who want to be in a story circle. Date posted: 03/27/07

Colorado Where: Donna Remmert's home, Boulder CO When: 3rd Thursday of the month, 7-9pm Facilitator: Donna Remmert (donnaremmert at comcast.net) Circle Description: There are 5 of us, and we're each doing our own unique life writing project. We read and critique each submission during our meeting. Last update: 01/03/2010 Where: Community Center Room, Denver CO When: 1st Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm Facilitator: Valene Raymer Baskfield, LCSW (valene at bellybreath.com) Circle Description: A Story Circle Date posted: 12/29/03

Florida Where: facilitator's home, Jacksonville FL When: Every Wed., 1-3pm Facilitator: Rochelle Gross (rochelle0099 at comcast.net) Circle Description: "Dreams Do Come True" is a motivational study group. We do healing and self improvement exercises to release our fullest potentials and to achieve our dreams and goals. We read, write, do weekly writing exercises, and listen to videos and audios. Last update: 04/13/2010 Where: Bloomingdale Library, Valrico FL When: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 3-5pm Facilitator: Sandi L. de Laski (sandi1208 at aol.com) Circle Description: Butterflies and Blues Jeans Writers Group: We are like the spokes in a wheel, our life stories go in different directions. In the center we form a circle of unity coming together with one common interest—writing our life stories. Spoke One: is a young vibrant lady with four young children. She is working on writing her life stories in hopes of resolving past issues in her life. Spoke Two: is a lady with a beautiful smile and such beautiful thick blond hair. Looking at her no one would ever know the struggles she deals with on a daily basis. The stories of her past are an encouragement for others. Spoke Three: is a Texas girl who would never have believed that her life would be settled on this side of the Mississippi, but here she is and loving it. She loves to have fun and a good time to be found. Her life stories are real to anyone that reads them. Spoke Four: grew up in a family that loved music. Her heart is to share her passion (singing). She uses her voice to help raise money for those less fortunate in local charity events. Her purpose for writing is to share some of her life stories as a young girl, which makes the readers smile. Spoke Five: is another local girl whose heart is also to serve others. Her passion for writing is to tell her life experiences as an inspirational story hopefully to help to encourage others. In order for the wheel of our writers group to turn in motion of success each month, the six spokes of the wheel (from different walks of life) come together monthly to share their stories. This is what keeps our wheel in motion. Last update: 03/30/2010 Where: Safety Harbor Library, Safety Harbor FL When: 3rd Wed of the month, 6:15-8pm Facilitator: Jan Golden (jangolden at tampabay.rr.com; Sheila McNaughton Circle Description: We are a new circle welcoming all writers and will be splitting off into smaller circles (we had 18 attended at our first meeting!). Last update: 10/26/09 Where: Bloomingdale Regional Library, Valrico FL When: 1st Friday of the month, 10am-12pm Facilitator: Candi Martin (candicemartin at verizon.net) Circle Description: We will begin meeting on May 1, 2009. There are seven members. We will be using prompts from SCN and sharing our stories. Date posted: 04/28/09 Where: Bloomingdale Regional Library, Valrico FL When: 1st Monday of the month, 10am-12:30pm Facilitator: Judith E. Johnson (getawayj at tampabay.rr.com) Circle Description: A closed circle of 9 members, we are the second story circle to be formed at the library and are known at the moment as STORY CIRCLE 2. We are in the process of selecting a name for our circle. Date posted: 04/28/09 Where: Bloomingdale Regional Library, Valrico FL When: Monthly Facilitator: Val Perry (Lifewritersbloom at msn.com) Circle Description: We are part of a much larger program of life story writing which has been established here at Bloomingdale Library for several years. We range in age—some retired, some working, some a little of both. We welcome new members to contact us. 4-10 week co-ed memoir classes are given three times a year. Date posted: 01/16/09

Georgia Where: Firehouse Gallery—Decatur County Arts Council, Bainbridge GA When: Monthly, flexible date Facilitator: Pam Immendorf (vintage at mchsi.com) Circle Description: The "Silver Retrievers" is an ongoing OWL Circle. Last update: 01/24/09

Illinois Where: homes of participants in North Shore of Chicago, IL When: monthly, 1-3pm or 1-4pm; days vary Facilitator: Susan Myrick (suemyrick at comcast.net) Circle Description: WordsWomen began our monthly afternoon meetings (with delicious snacks, sometimes healthy, sometimes yummy) in February, 1999. We split from a larger memoir group at the Women's Exchange in Winnetka, IL. Our group wavers between three and four participants, a size small enough to give us plenty of time (2-3 hours) to share and discuss our work. We rotate as hostesses, but the facilitator remains Susan Myrick (penname Susan James). We are currently closed to new members. The facilitator brings a prompt for a free-write, memoir story ideas, and writing exercises that help us use tools such senses, time and point of view. We also participate in various exercises that stretch our vocabulary and add dimension to our writing. During workshop meetings, we free-write for 20 minutes from a prompt, read our work aloud, listen to others' works, and hear our work discussed (in a supportive and encouraging environment). We leave with 3 or more new prompts for free-writes at home. Between meetings, writers do any of the following: begin work on the suggested topic, revise a past piece, or work on an expanding project. We keep limber with the prompts for fast writes. Last update: 01/04/2010

Minnesota Where: Various downtown locations during our lunch hour, Minneapolis MN When: Wednesdays, noon-1pm Facilitator: Pamela Rudisill (pamelasweet43 at gmail.com) Circle Description: We are a new circle of six co-workers, however, all writers in our area our welcome. Our meetings consist of a discussion of works in progress, timed writings, and we have also begun to work through the questions in the book Legacy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Personal History by Linda Spence. Date posted: 08/31/2010

Montana Where: members' homes in Missoula, MT When: weekly Facilitator: Karen Buley (buley_r at msn.com) Circle Description: We have been meeting weekly for several years. After reading and discussing works in progress, we follow with a timed writing exercise. Date posted: 02/06/09

New Jersey Where: Lambertville Library, Lambertville, NJ When: Two Thursdays a month, 10am-noon Facilitator: Victoria McNabb Wheeler (wheelinwool at aol.com) Circle Description: Our first session is June 4, 2009, and three of us will be in attendance. Hopefully we will grow to six. We plan to follow the SCN facilitator's guide, with time for impromptu writing, reading aloud, and discussion. Date posted: 05/31/09

North Carolina Where: Participant's homes, Charlotte, NC When: 3rd Monday of every month (except June-August) from 7-8:30pm Facilitator: Robin Edgar (2robinedgar at gmail.com) Circle Description: The Red Tent Society has been meeting for over two years. The core group is comprised of women of all ages and backgrounds, from a 16 year-old aspiring writer to published authors and poets to a 90 year-old woman who simply enjoys reminiscing and hearing other people's stories. Newcomers are welcome. When we get back together after the summer break, the first meeting prompt reminds me of the story you wrote when school started up again: "How I Spent My Summer Vacation." Last update: 08/06/07

Oklahoma Where: Midwest City, OK; afternoon session: a different local restaurant each week (call 405-610-6144 for location); Midwest City Library for evening session When: Wednesdays, 1-3pm; Mondays, 6:30pm Facilitator: P. Jan Hall (jansstorycircle at aol.com) Circle Description: "Come-When-You-Can" Have lunch, write, informal sharing & discussion. Come-When-You-Can has added a Monday night at 6:30pm at the Midwest City Library. The Monday night is good through Sep. 17 and then will move to Jan's home—dates and times TBA. Last update: 06/11/07 Where: 203 W Douglas Dr, Midwest City OK (Call 405-610-6144 to enroll) When: Weds 6-8pm Facilitator: P. Jan Hall (jansstorycircle at aol.com) Circle Description: WolfSong Story Circle Last update: 06/11/07

Pennsylvania Where: Facilitator's home, Philadelphia PA When: beginning September 8, 2003, every Monday from 7-9pm Facilitator: Sandra Pesini (walkwithwomen at comcast.net; 215-673-3104) Circle Description: This Story Circle is an intimate group of six women who have been meeting weekly since December, 2002. Timed writing exercises and sharing using prompts is the way they like to interact. We just had our first writing retreat at a campground using the outdoors and summer season to inspire us. It was a great time! They are resuming their Serendipity Ladies workshop on a new night, begining Monday, September 8, 2003. Date posted: 08/10/03 Where: Facilitator's home, Philadelphia PA When: Sundays, 2-4pm Facilitator: Sandra Pesini (walkwithwomen at comcast.net; 215-673-3104) Circle Description: A new group of eight enthusiastic women who come together each week prepared to share their at-home writings from a designated prompt. Additional prompts are provided for several class timed writings. Each week a member offers a fun topic for a final writing and sharing. Date posted: 08/10/03

Texas Where: Querencia, a retirement community in Austin, TX When: 4th Saturday of each month. Facilitator: Anne Beckner (abeckner at austin.rr.com) Circle Description: Continuing OWL-Circle group formed in May, 2009. A new group wil start in the Fall, 2009. Last update: 06/16/09 Where: St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Austin TX When: 1st Tuesday of each month, 1-2:30pm Facilitator: Jane Ross (mjrpubs3 at sbcglobal.net) Circle Description: "Reflections Writing Circle," formed in January 2003 (formerly called the Continuing OWL-circle). After more than six years, we still have a core of half a dozen members who have been with the circle since the beginning. We are open to new members. Last update: 07/26/2010 Where: varies; see Reading Circle web page for details When: noon-1pm, 2nd Monday of the month Facilitator: Peggy Moody (pmoody at pobox.com) Circle Description: A reading circle that has been together since 1997. We read and discuss women's memoirs and women's fiction. For more information, see our Reading Circle web page. Last update: 12/19/08 Where: facilitator's home in NW Austin TX When: Thurs 6-8pm Facilitator: Sharon Spector (sharingjoy at ymail.com) Circle Description: Looking for new members who delight in the journey. Beginners welcome (and embraced!) For more information contact Sharon. We begin our circle with a check-in, brief meditation, timed writings, then share our writings in a safe and nurturing environment. I provide tea and we share bringing light snacks. Last update: 05/04/2010 Where: Chestelle Samford's home, Austin TX When: 2nd Monday of the month, 7-9pm Facilitator: PJ Pierce (pjpierce at cvctx.com) Circle Description: The "Ink Slingers" group began meeting in April, 2009. The group is currently closed to new members. We begin with a couple of timed writings, then read prepared pieces and discuss. I provide light snacks and someone usually brings some wine. Last update: 07/26/2010 Where: facilitator's home, Austin TX When: 1st Wednesday of the month, 1-3pm Facilitator: Jackie Newman (jacquelinenewman at msn.com) Circle Description: This is one of the oldest ongoing circles in SCN. We've gone by the name Millwood for many years. We have 8 members, most of whom come to every meeting, thus we are not currently open to new members. Last update: 03/30/2010 Where: Austin Public Library Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin TX 78703 When: 4th Tuesday of the month, 1-2:30pm Facilitator: Judith Helburn (thehelburns at sbcglobal.net) Circle Description: The "Sharing Our Stories Writing Circle" was one of the original Austin Chapter writing circles. Last update: 12/19/08 Where: Rebecca Roberts' home, 205 Canyon Rim Dr, Austin TX 78746 When: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm Facilitator: Rebecca Roberts (rebecca at rebeccar.com) Circle Description: The "INKlings Writing Circle" was one of the original Austin Chapter writing circles. Last update: 12/19/08 Where: PJ Pierce's home, 6811 Glen Ridge Dr, Austin TX 78731 When: 2nd Thursday of the month, 7-8:30pm Facilitator: PJ Pierce (pjpierce at cvctx.com) Circle Description: The "Wordweavers Writing Circle" was one of the original Austin Chapter writing circles and is still meeting and thriving. It is currently closed to new members. Last update: 07/26/2010 Where: South Austin When: 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month, 10am-noon Facilitator: Betty McCreary (bdownes211 at aol.com) Circle Description: Rock Rose Writers is a Free Range Story Circle and open to women at all levels of writing experience who want to practice life writing using writing prompts and timed exercises. Although the focus will be life writing,other types of writers are welcome (fiction, poetry, etc.) We encourage sharing our writing and learning from each other. We are currently closed to new members. Last update: 07/26/2010 Where: Borders at Southpark Meadows, Austin TX When: Two Sundays a month, 12:30pm Facilitator: Rose McCorkle (rosiemac4 at yahoo.com) & Johnett Scogin (johnett42 at yahoo.com) Circle Description: The "Free Range Chickenscratchers" is a small circle of women who meet to get/give feedback on longer pieces (ongoing) and to do short focused work to develop our craft. Due to the nature of our work, we have to remain small, and are currently closed to new members. Read our blog. Last update: 01/02/2010 Where: Georgetown/Sun City/Round Rock TX When: intermittently Facilitator: Karen Hett (kmchett at verizon.net) Circle Description: Our memoir-writing circle in Georgetown meets intermittently. We are still a closed circle, because we try to limit our meetings to no more than eight writers. We write from prompts, á la Story Circle, and we still haven't worked our way through all the stories we want to share with our families, even after five or so years. We are planning a writing retreat at a country house near La Grange, Texas, in February. Last update: 01/15/09 Where: private home, Joshua/Burleson TX When: Tuesdays, 11am-12:30pm Facilitator: Caryn FitzGerald (cgfbooks at gmail.com; 817-400-1153) Circle Description: New story circle class meets weekly between 9/28-11/16/2010. Writing assignments, readings, feedback and support. Small class size. Members will have option to continue with bi-weekly class in spring 2011. Phone or email for details. Last update: 08/30/2010 Where: Judy Alter's home, Fort Worth TX When: 2nd Thursday of the month, 5/6-9/9/2010, 7-8:30pm Facilitator: Judy Alter (j.alter at tcu.edu) Circle Description: We plan to alternate discussion, reading/critiques, and writing exercises. Last update: 03/22/2010 Where: Harker Heights Public Library, 400 Indian Trail, Harker Heights TX (254-953-5491) When: 1st Saturday of the month, 9-10:30am (if the first Saturday falls on a holiday weekend, we meet the following Saturday) Facilitator: Meghan Brawley (mbrawley at ci.harker-heights.tx.us) Circle Description: Our circle meets regularly once a month, and we have 7-8 participants. Some members are still working exclusively on memoirs, while others are beginning to explore other writing projects. Even though we're a very diverse group, ranging from a college student to a grandmother, we've gotten to be good friends through sharing our stories. We're small enough so facilitating is a very loose responsibility.we use the SCN Facilitator's Guide, but sometimes we adapt the topics to fit our needs. It's more of a round-table group. We're just about 25 minutes west of Temple, and serve the Ft. Hood/Killeen area, so if anyone's interested in finding a group here we're always open to new members! Last update: 07/22/09 Where: Lone Star College, Houston TX When: Wednesdays, 10am-12pm Facilitator: Joyce Boatright (joyce.m.boatright at lonestar.edu) Circle Description: Continuing OWL-Circle group. Last update: 01/03/2010 Where: church, Kerrville TX When: every other Tuesday, noon-1:30pm Facilitator: Leia Francisco (lfrancisco at stx.rr.com) Circle Description: We have just begun a Story Circle in Kerrville, Texas, north of San Antonio and West of Austin. We plan to meet bi-weekly for six sessions and then evaulate the future life of the cirlce. We have 11 members with quite a range of skills and interests, women native to Texas as well as women who have moved here from various parts of the country. We had our first meeting this week, introducing ourselves with an object, quote, poem or image that tells some parts of our stories. We have already begun to incorporate poetry into the threads of our story weaving. Last update: 05/29/2010 Where: SoL (Source of Light) Center, University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio TX When: Wednesdays, 10am-noon Facilitator: Mary Olivia Patiño, M.T.S. (mpatino14 at satx.rr.com), in collaboration with Lucy Greer Burton Circle Description: For Sign-up Information: contact Lucy Greer Burton at The Sol Center at University Presbyterian Church (210-732-9927; solcenter at upcsa.org). "Write Your Life Story" resumes on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Through various writing activities and prompts, our group of ten to twelve participants explores and reflects on particular events in our lives. We share our written stories with the group for constructive feedback. A Season of Memories: Celebration of Stories and Poem, the first fruit of our work last Spring, was printed in December, 2009, for distribution among our members. We are very proud of this work and hope to print another collection this year. Our weekly gatherings start with refreshments and prayer. We plan to meet for periods of six weeks at a time. Last update: 01/15/2010 Where: 129 Running Water, Sun City TX When: 3rd Thursday of month, 1:30-3pm Facilitator: Jackie Woolley (jackie at booksbyjackie.com) Circle Description: The Hill Country Rough Writers have 12 to 14 members, some of which are members of Story Circle. The group evolved from my previous Round Rock Rough Writer group. Last update: 12/07/05 Where: Barnes & Noble, Sunset Valley TX When: 4th Thursdays, 1-2pm Facilitator: Stephanie Barko (steffercat at austin.rr.com) Circle Description: The South Austin Book Group is non-denominational, co-ed, and reads spiritually-oriented books from all traditions. The group meets for an hour and then those who can stay are welcome to linger for another half hour or so. Meetings are open to the public. The group has been meeting since Fall, 2005. Last update: 01/16/09 Where: Facilitator's home, Tyler TX When: 2nd Wednesday of month; 2-4pm Facilitator: Pat Turner (capturn2 at yahoo.com) Circle Description: The Memory Keepers Story Circle is made up of five to six very faithful and enthusiastic women who meet monthly to share our writing and to write together. Last update: 01/03/2010 Where: facilitator's home, The Woodlands TX When: 2nd & 4th Wed., 1pm Facilitator: Sonja Borstner (borstner at swbell.net) Circle Description: The Story Gardeners meet on the 2nd and 4th Wed. at 1pm. The group is closed to new members. Last update: 01/02/2010 Where: The Forum, The Woodlands, TX When: 1st Thursday of the month Facilitator: Sonja Borstner (borstner at swbell.net) Circle Description: The "15 Minute Writers", who range in age from 80-90 years, meet on the first Thursday of the month at The Forum. The group is closed to new members. Last update: 01/02/2010 Where: The Forum, The Woodlands, TX When: Tuesdays in September, 2009 Facilitator: Evelyn Cook (ecook at pdq.net) Circle Description: In September, 2009 the "Telling Your Life Story" group will meet on 4 Tuesdays for the fall session. Last update: 01/15/09

Vermont Where: Pawlet VT When: Thursday, beginning March 23, for 6 weeks Facilitator: Lauryn Axelrod (circleworkshops at yahoo.com) Circle Description: Story Circle at the Circle of Healing in Pawlet, VT (about 30 minutes northwest of Manchester) begins March 23 and runs for six weeks initially. Date posted: 03/06/06

Washington Where: Covington or Federal Way Library (depending on availability), WA When: monthly, on Saturday mornings, 10:30-noon Facilitator: Linda Hoye (linda.hoye at gmail.com) Circle Description: We will have a time of timed writing, a time of sharing our work, and a take-away-topic to work on until the next meeting. Last update: 08/30/2010 Where: Seattle WA When: Mondays, 7-9pm Facilitator: Pat Hoglund (hoglundp at aol.com; 206-898-3730) Circle Description: I am hosting a womens' story circle in my home. We welcome new people to join the circle. Last update: 08/23/2010

Wisconsin Where: Howe Neighborhood Resource Center, Green Bay WI When: February/March, 2009: six Tuesdays (advanced group) and Thursdays (beginning group), 7-8:30pm; 2 groups will also meet in Apr/May, as well as Sep/Oct and Nov/Dec. Facilitator: Sandra Shackelford (sashack10 at athenet.net) Circle Description: Two circles: beginning and advanced. The advanced circle will be working toward putting together our own anthology with funds raised going to a program that works with women cancer patients. Contact Sandra for more information. Eight women are in the advanced group; 15 in the beginning group. The groups bond, becoming a family, celebrating and encouraging each other's efforts. We write. We share. We discuss. We educate each other. We grow. The sixth (final) session of each group's circle is a celebration and summation of what we have accomplished, an evaluation of our growth as women and writers. Recently our group of writers gave a presentation, "Six Women Reading", at the local independent book store, The Reader's Loft. This past fall, some of our circle members assisted Sandra with a writing project working with Homeless Women and Their Adolescent Daughters. This project was sponsored through the local school system's At-Risk program. The women's and girl's writing will be published in book form with funds raised going into more programs for this special group. Last update: 01/15/09