Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Market at the Village welcomed the NOTL Writers’ Circle for the first time on Saturday.

The Writers’ Circle launched in March 2013 when Hermine Steinberg posted an ad seeking to bring writers in the area together. Though Steinberg has since moved, the group is still bringing together writers from around NOTL.

However, when the pandemic hit, the group’s numbers dropped and in-person get-togethers turned into Zoom meetings, which many people found difficult.

With the return of in-person events, Writers’ Circle members hope to recruit more local writers.

“That’s why we’re here,” said Terry Belleville, a NOTL resident and member of the Writers’ Circle for many years.

“It’s to reinforce the fact that the Writers’ Circle is a part of the community,” he added.

Belleville said it’s a safe place for people to come and write and tell stories.

All the members live locally and meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the NOTL Public Library. At the meetings they support and encourage each other on their writing journey.

Three or four people submit their work to be read by the other members. Sharon Frayne, the Writers’ Circle co-chair, said group members offer criticism, tips and feedback.

The organization’s workshops will be resuming and Frayne noted they’ll usually bring in professional writers to host the sessions. For example, Annamarie Kelly, a Niagara Falls writer, hosted a workshop on conquering writer’s block.

The Writers’ Circle welcomes authors of all genres and skill sets. Many members have published books, either self-published or with a publishing company.

“It’s a really big deal to be able to take a manuscript off of the computer and then see it turn up bound that’s a book on a shelf,” said Belleville. “That’s a big deal.”

Those interested in the Writers’ Circle can find out more at notlwriterscircle.com.