Veterans' Writing Group of San Diego County

In a heartfelt episode of the Finish the Damn Book podcast hosted by Susie Schaefer, a few of our Board of Directors from the Veterans Writing Group of San Diego County (President Garry Garretson and members Armand Kian, Brian Sanchez, and Derek Barraza) joined her for a conversation titled “Honoring Veterans through Storytelling.” We explored our group’s mission to support veterans and their families in sharing and preserving personal stories through writing. We discussed the profound therapeutic power of storytelling for healing, building connections, and creating lasting legacies, while highlighting our latest anthology as a powerful testament to the impact of turning lived experiences into published works. The episode beautifully underscores how finishing and sharing these stories honors service while fostering community and legacy.

Click here to listen and select the episode “Honoring Veterans through Storytelling.”

The Veterans' Writing Group (VWG) of San Diego County is a community dedicated to supporting veteran and active-duty military writers. Our mission is to provide a safe, encouraging space where veterans can express themselves through writing, share their experiences, and connect with others. We offer monthly meetings, workshops, and publishing opportunities to help you develop your craft. Whether you're an experienced author or just starting, VWG is here to help you grow.

Introducing Book V: A Seat at the Table – Stories and Poems by Veterans

We are proud to announce the release of Book V: A Seat at the Table, the fifth book in the inspiring series by The Veterans’ Writing Group of San Diego County. This heartfelt collection brings together a powerful array of stories and poems, penned by veterans who share their personal journeys and experiences from their time serving in the military. From humorous anecdotes to deeply poignant reflections, each contribution offers a unique glimpse into the lives of those who have served, showcasing their creative talent and resilience.

You can purchase Book V: A Seat at the Table now on Amazon, where it’s available for readers worldwide to enjoy.

Click here to purchase our latest Book

Click on any of our books to purchase directly via Amazon

Join Our Monthly Writers Meetings

Meet with us every third Saturday of the month from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Veterans Association of North County in Oceanside, CA, or join us via Zoom. These meetings provide a supportive environment for veterans, dependents, and active-duty military members to share their writing, receive feedback, and connect with fellow writers. Coffee and snacks are provided to make this a welcoming space for all.

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Explore Our Anthology Books

Discover the powerful stories, poems, and essays written by our veteran authors in the VWG anthologies. Each collection showcases the unique voices and experiences of those who have served, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of veterans. By purchasing these anthologies, you support the ongoing efforts of VWG to empower veteran writers.

Get Involved

Are you a veteran, dependent, or active-duty military member interested in writing? Join VWG to participate in our workshops, receive feedback on your work, and connect with a supportive community. Whether you're writing fiction, poetry, memoirs, or essays, VWG is here to help you grow as a writer.

"I joined the Veterans’ Writing Group via Zoom just as COVID-19’s claws were strangling our abilities to safely meet in person. As a novice writer, each week I have had many opportunities to learn this craft. One unexpected benefit is that I am learning how to critique other people’s work. I recently used this new skill by providing constructive feedback on both story line content and grammar for my granddaughter’s college application essays.

Thank you VWG!

I can’t wait to meet all of you in person one day." - Sue Steven

Find out what the Writers Guild Foundation, Robert Ben Garant, and Rocky J. Chavez all have to say about our first book here.

The Veterans Writing Group of San Diego County is passionate about writing and improving the process needed to tell our stories. We are Military Veterans learning to write our story in our own words, may it be fiction or not. Please email us a message, comment, or recommendation that will assist us in helping others write their story.

>> By the way, all proceeds from our books go to helping veterans to share and inspire others through their stories.

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