"It's writers helping writers," said member Anne Osborne. "The professionals help the less experienced."

Osborne said there are 12 branches of the Canadian Author's Association and that in 1983, seven Niagara people decided a branch was needed in Niagara.

The group meets twice a month where they listen to speakers and hold reading and critiquing meetings.

"We get together and approach a piece as if it has come through the mail," said Osborne. "There's a lot of constructive criticism and the person who wrote it goes back and revises it."

Osborne said most of the authors get published in literary magazines and also said it is amazing that the writer's group has stayed together for 25 years.

The 25th anniversary celebration will include "Adventures in publishing," a special dinner and discussion of the writing trade. The event will be hosted by Dunnville novelist/screenwriter, Brad Smith, and poet and creative writing instructor Alexandra Leggat.

The celebration will take place at Dom's Pasta and Grill at 22 Academy St. in St. Catharines from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Contact Sherri Kearsley at 905-682-6741.