Finding English-Language Writing Groups in the Netherlands
We still remember the first writing meetup we attended in the Netherlands. We had printed two short stories, rehearsed our self-introduction in the mirror, and cycled twenty minutes through typical Dutch drizzle to a café in Amsterdam-Oost — only to discover the group had switched to Dutch that evening because three new members didn’t speak English. We stayed, nodded politely, and understood maybe a third of the feedback. It was awkward, but it taught us something important: English-language writing communities do exist here, and they’re thriving — you just need to know where to look. This guide covers where to find them, how to choose the right one, and what to expect once you sit down at the table.
Why Join a Writing Group as an Expat?
Writing is solitary by nature, and moving to a new country makes it lonelier still. A writing group solves several problems at once, and the Netherlands — with its large, mobile expat population — is unusually well suited to providing them.
Feedback and Critique
Our own flash fiction improved more in six months of group critique than in two years of writing alone. Honest readers catch the sagging middle of a short story, the twist that doesn’t land, the dialogue that sounds like a press release. A good group gives you that feedback regularly, from people who aren’t obliged to be nice to you.
Accountability and Motivation
Nothing gets a draft finished like knowing you have to read it aloud on Thursday. Writing groups impose gentle deadlines, and for expats juggling new jobs and bureaucracy, that external structure is often the difference between a folder of half-finished stories and an actual submission.
Social Connection
Let’s be honest: making friends as an adult in a new country is hard. A writing group gives you a recurring social anchor built around something you already care about. We’ve seen critique partners become dinner companions, cycling buddies, and — in one case — each other’s wedding witnesses.
Where to Find English-Language Writing Groups
The Dutch expat scene is large enough that most cities in the Randstad have at least one English-language writing option. These are the platforms and organisations we recommend checking first.
Meetup.com and Internations
Meetup.com is the single best starting point. Search “creative writing” or “short stories” plus your city, and you’ll find active groups in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. Internations, the global expat network, runs social events where writing-adjacent groups often form organically. Two established names worth searching for specifically are Amsterdam Writing Workshops, which runs structured critique sessions and courses, and The Hague Writing Group, a long-running meetup for fiction writers in the International City of Peace and Justice.
Facebook Groups and Online Communities
Facebook remains surprisingly useful for this. Search for “Writers in the Netherlands,” “Amsterdam Writers,” or “Expats in [your city]” and you’ll find groups where members post about critique circles, open mic nights, and NaNoWriMo meetups. Many Dutch city-specific groups have English-language threads.
Local Expat Centers and Libraries
Expat centres in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven keep lists of clubs and societies, writing groups included. Public libraries are another underrated resource — several run English-language programming, and librarians are often happy to connect you with local groups. Which brings us to the OBA.
Online Writing Communities with a Dutch Connection
If you live outside the Randstad, or simply prefer to test the waters from your sofa first, online communities with a Dutch connection are a solid alternative.
Reddit and Discord Communities
The r/Netherlands and r/DutchExpats subreddits regularly host threads about writing groups and creative meetups. Discord servers for expats in individual Dutch cities often have writing channels where members share drafts and organise online critique sessions.
Online Critique Platforms
Scribophile is our favourite for structured critique: you earn credits by reviewing others’ work and spend them on reviews of your own. Several members are based in the Netherlands, and some Dutch-focused critique groups have formed through the platform. Other options include Critique Circle and genre-specific forums for flash fiction and short stories.
Social Media Writing Groups
Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) host active writing communities under hashtags like #WritingCommunity and #AmWriting. A number of Dutch-based writers use these platforms to organise local meetups — follow a few and you’ll quickly spot the ones near you.
How to Choose the Right Writing Group
Not every group will suit you, and that’s fine. We suggest evaluating any group against four criteria before committing.
Genre and Focus
Some groups are genre-specific — flash fiction, literary short stories, science fiction — while others are general. If you write 500-word flash pieces, a group focused on novel-length manuscripts may not be the best fit. Ask what members typically bring before your first session.
Meeting Frequency and Location
Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly? In person or hybrid? A group that meets in Amsterdam is no use if you live in Maastricht and can’t attend online. Be realistic about your schedule and travel tolerance — Dutch weather is not always kind to a 40-minute cycle ride.
Group Size and Dynamics
Groups of six to ten tend to work best: enough variety of feedback, but everyone gets time to read. Larger groups can feel anonymous; smaller ones can become echo chambers. Visit once or twice before deciding — most groups welcome guests.
Starting Your Own Writing Group
If nothing nearby fits, start your own. It’s easier than it sounds, and the Netherlands offers excellent infrastructure for it.
Finding a Venue
Libraries are ideal — the OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) has meeting rooms, and branches across the country offer similar facilities. Cafés work well for smaller groups, especially those with back rooms. And don’t overlook the Dutch borrel tradition: an informal drinks gathering is a low-pressure way to test interest before committing to a formal critique schedule.
Setting a Schedule
Pick a recurring slot — the first Tuesday of the month, say — and stick to it. Predictability is what keeps groups alive. Keep sessions to around two hours with a clear format: check-in, readings, feedback, wrap-up.
Promoting Your Group
Post on Meetup.com, Internations, Facebook expat groups, and local expat centre noticeboards. Mention the language (English), the genre focus, and the vibe you’re aiming for. A short, specific description attracts the right people.
Tips for Navigating Dutch Writing Groups
Dutch writing culture has its own flavour. A little preparation helps.
Cultural Norms
Dutch directness is real, and it extends to feedback. Comments that might feel blunt to an English speaker are usually meant kindly — they’re efficient, not personal. Punctuality matters too; arrive on time and start on time.
Language Considerations
Many Dutch writers are fluent in English, and mixed-language groups are common. If a group switches to Dutch, it’s usually for the benefit of a member — don’t take it as exclusion. Ask politely whether feedback can be given in English, or offer to read Dutch drafts and respond in English.
Building Relationships
Stay for the borrel afterwards. The best writing relationships grow over a beer, not just around a table of manuscripts. Exchange contacts with one or two people whose feedback resonated, and follow up.
FAQ
Do I need to speak Dutch to join a writing group in the Netherlands?
No. Most expat-oriented groups operate in English, and many Dutch writers are fluent. That said, learning a few phrases helps with social settings, and some mixed groups alternate languages.
Are writing groups in the Netherlands free?
Many are. Meetup groups and library-based circles are typically free or ask for a small contribution toward room hire. Organised workshops like Amsterdam Writing Workshops charge a fee for courses and structured sessions.
Can I join if I write flash fiction rather than novels?
Absolutely. Flash fiction is popular in Dutch writing circles, and several groups focus on short-form work. If a general group skews toward novels, look for a flash-specific group or start one.
How do I find a group outside Amsterdam or The Hague?
Check Meetup.com and Facebook for your city, ask at your local library, and post in expat forums. If nothing exists, starting a group through Meetup.com or a library noticeboard usually attracts interest within weeks.
Quick Checklist: Your First Steps
If you’d rather have a simple action plan than a long read, here is the short version we wish someone had handed us on arrival:
- Search Meetup.com for “creative writing” plus your city, and join two or three groups to compare.
- Post an introduction in a Facebook group such as “Writers in the Netherlands” or your local expat community.
- Ask your nearest public library or expat centre whether they host or know of an English-language writing circle.
- Try one online critique platform — Scribophile, Critique Circle, or a Discord writing channel — while you wait for an in-person spot.
- Attend a session as a guest before committing, and check the genre focus, group size, and meeting rhythm.
- Stay for the borrel afterwards and exchange contacts with at least one person.
- If nothing fits within a month, book a library room and start your own group.
Finding the right writing group takes a little patience — the first one you try may not click, and that’s normal. But the payoff is real: sharper drafts, steadier output, and a circle of people who understand both the craft and the peculiar experience of writing in English while living in the Netherlands. Start with Meetup.com or a library noticeboard this week, and see where the first session takes you.