Rafter Groups

Join us for these regular groups on Zoom. A couple of them have limited spots. Read on for the details.


Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Thursdays, 12-1PM Central)

Hop on the Zoom at this link. This is a casual poetry-sharing and discussion group. Bring a published poem that has recently struck you to read to the group. Or, just come to listen to the poems offered by other Rafters and to participate in informal but wholehearted conversation about them. Can’t make it? Watch for the video replay each week in either Events & News or Rafter Digest. Past replays are available in the Catch Up! archive.


Rafters Writing Fiction

Led by Ferwa Jaffery from London, England. A writer of novels and plays, she's "particularly drawn to the borderlands where art and creativity meet spirituality." See a five-minute video introduction to Ferwa here.

Ferwa Jaffery
  • Members meet on Zoom every other Tuesday at 1PM Central.

  • Members take turns informally hosting sessions.

  • Members provide a safe and soulful space where they share and use their writing as a springboard to deeper shared reflections and discussions.

  • Members are currently exploring “flash fiction”: the host brings a writing prompt from which they then write, in silence, for a designated amount of time; then they share what they have produced. The focus is not on traditional critique or feedback or producing a “perfect” piece of prose, but on exploration of what has emerged. The sessions will continue to evolve as members experiment with different ways of creating.

Interested in joining the Fiction Writers? Have questions?

Email Ferwa by clicking the button. (Watch your spam in case her reply to you gets routed there.)

Email Ferwa


Poets on The Raft

  • Facilitated by: Varies

  • When: Twice-monthly

  • Where: Zoom

  • Circle size: limited to twelve so that everyone can fully participate. Seats filled on first-come, first-served basis, with a waiting list.

  • Membership eligibility: New poets, dabblers, old hands . . .

  • Format: A safe, receptive space in which you’ll be able to . . .

    • bring one of your original poems at any point in its development

    • request the kind of group feedback that will best support your creative process (for example: encouragement only, or careful critique)

  • Gatherings are not recorded

Interested in joining this group? Have questions?

Contact Phyllis at phyllis@phylliscoledai.com.