Los Angeles is a city of millions of people, and many of them are writers. From screenwriters to creative writers, LGBT writers to dramaturges, the city is full of talented individuals who are looking for ways to connect with other writers and find work. In this article, we'll explore some of the best writing groups in Los Angeles, as well as some of the other resources available to writers in the city. One of the best places to find other writers is Meetup's Los Angeles writing section. You'll find screenwriting, creative writing, LGBT writing and dramaturgy groups, as well as hyperlocal groups that meet in communities such as Los Feliz, Santa Monica, Studio City and Pasadena.
One of the benefits of working as a writer is the freedom to work on staff, independently, or somewhere in between. Some of the most extraordinary writers the world has ever produced have called Los Angeles home at one time or another. Writers in Los Angeles often work as independent contractors to find “jobs” in local companies, and they also find work as staff writers and editors for local companies. Craigslist tends to work well for writers looking for temporary writing jobs, as Los Angeles is one of the most active and prolific markets for the platform. However, online job repositories such as Glassdoor, CareerBuilder and Indeed typically offer the best lists of permanent and long-term jobs in the greater Los Angeles area. In fact, many writers who live in Los Angeles write content for websites, create marketing texts, ghostwrite blogs, and work as technical writers when they're not working on the next great American novel.
Some writers may find it easy to put on a pair of headphones and write in the coffee shop down the street, but many writers need the peace and solitude of a personal space to write. An interesting phenomenon that has emerged in recent years is shared workspace or “coworking space”, and these places can provide a solo writer with the office space needed to carry out their business beyond writing tasks. As a city where a significant part of the economy comes from entertainment, it's no surprise that Los Angeles hosts several creative conferences every year. These are some workshops, conferences and events to consider, whether you are a creative writer interested in presenting a television program or if you are a skilled technical writer with experience in a highly specialized area, such as aerospace engineering or international trade. For outsiders, the film industry defines the culture of Los Angeles and asserts its dominance through the large, bold letters of the Hollywood sign. But for those who live here, there is so much more to explore.
From writing groups to job resources to creative conferences, there are plenty of opportunities for writers in Los Angeles.
