The UC Davis Writing Center now offers more writing resources to the UC Davis community, including extended consulting hours, dissertation retreats and new academic and creative writing groups.

“We’re thrilled to expand our services this quarter to provide the UC Davis community with even more opportunities to engage with writing and receive writing support,” said Writing Center Director Erica Cirillo-McCarthy. “All writers benefit from sharing ideas with and getting feedback from other writers. We see the Writing Center as an integral part of every Aggie’s strategy for success.”

The UC Davis Writing Center, which launched in fall 2023, is a university-wide center supporting undergraduate, graduate and professional students as well as postdoctoral scholars, faculty, instructors and staff. 

Creative Writing Group 

A new Creative Writing Group meets Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. Writers can join the informal writing group at the Writing Center on the fourth floor of the Teaching and Learning Complex. Registration is not required.

“This informal gathering is the perfect space for Aggies to hone their craft and connect with other creative writers,” Cirillo-McCarthy said. 

Graduate and Professional Writing Group

Graduate and professional students can drop in on weekly academic writing groups now offered at the Writing Center. Sessions run from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. These groups provide graduate and professional students from all programs and levels an ideal environment for accountability, community building and progress toward writing goals.

Dissertation Writing Retreats

Graduate students may register for one of two five-day Dissertation Writing Retreats offered this quarter. The first retreat runs 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 3-7. The second retreat is set for 5 to 8 p.m. March 3-7. Both retreats include a goal-setting workshop and a quiet, collegial setting for independent work. The retreats take place at the Writing Center in the Teaching and Learning Complex. Register at the Writing Center website.

Extended Sunday hours 

The Writing Center also extended its consulting hours this quarter to include Sunday afternoons and early evenings from 2 to 8 p.m. Aggie writers may meet with trained peer consultants online to tackle their projects and meet deadlines. Visit the Writing Center website at WritingCenter.ucdavis.edu to make an appointment. 

Write Here, Write Now Write Night 

Aggie writers are invited to the first-ever Write Here, Write Now Write Night from 5 to 8 p.m. March 13. Writers are invited to drop by for free pizza, connect with peer writing consultants and research librarians, and complete end-of-quarter writing projects. Registration is not required.

These new events all move the Writing Center closer to its vision as the place that houses and disseminates writing expertise, according to Cirillo-McCarthy.