Six Writers, One Afternoon, and the Beginning of Something Beautiful
The first Muse & Brews gathering happened on January 17, and it was everything I hoped it would be—and more.
Six writers gathered at Éowyn's Cafe in Durham, spanning generations from our 30s to our 70s. We came from Markdale, Hanover, Orangeville, and Durham, bringing with us projects as diverse as our postal codes: a closed-door fantasy romance, a personal translation of the Gospel of John, a memoir in progress, romance for women 40+, and historical fiction.
We sat at small café tables together near the window, the exposed brick walls and pink neon “Éowyn’s” sign creating the kind of cozy atmosphere that makes conversation easy. The café owner, a huge advocate for community and small businesses and a long-time supporter of Chicken House Press, has already shared her vision of replacing those small tables with a large harvest table to better foster this kind of gathering. That’s the thing about community—it grows organically when people invest in it.
Our two hours were chatty and collaborative—the kind of conversation that only happens when writers who understand the work come together. Some writing happened too, though mostly we reveled in the solidarity of being in community with people who get it. The particular challenges of research. The vulnerability of putting words on the page. The joy of finding the right turn of phrase. The frustration when a story won’t cooperate.
One gathering and already this little collective is teaching me things. Our eldest member noted being the only man at the table, and while he wasn’t uncomfortable, it sparked an important conversation. In my experience, these kinds of offerings—at least the ones I host through Chicken House Press—tend to draw more women than men. But there’s no reason it has to stay that way. If you’re a male writer reading this and wondering if you’d be welcome: you absolutely are. We’d love to see you there.
The afternoon started early for me—I met with a client an hour before the official gathering to discuss her project and sign a contract for her newest novel. She stayed for Muse & Brews, seamlessly transitioning from business meeting to creative community. It felt like a microcosm of what I’m building here: a space where the professional and the personal, the solitary and the communal, the work and the relationships all flow together.
Join us for the next gathering on February 21, 1-3 p.m. at Éowyn's in Durham.
No RSVP needed. No agenda. No pressure to share or perform or produce. Just writers who understand, whatever stage you're at, whatever you're working on, whoever you are.
Bring your project. Bring your questions. Bring your laptop or your notebook or just yourself.
Let’s write our own stories together.
