Meet your network
May 26, 2022
Grammar gotchas
May 12, 2022
Get ready to wrestle with writer’s block
April 25, 2022
Stop, look, and listen
February 23, 2022Meet your network
Would you like to share work-in-progress with other writers in your genre? Many of these organizations have local and regional chapters. Often, meetings are held online.
Even if monthly mingling doesn’t interest you, you might find that a national conference is an excellent opportunities to meet with agents and pubishers. Bring several copies of your synopsis and first twenty pages, or plan to collect business cards for later emailing.
Which would be the best organization(s) for you to join? This article has the details about several of them. Click on any of the logos to dig deeper at their websites.
| The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) amplifies the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing. AWP’s Writer to Writer Mentorship Program, a free service that pairs new and established writers. |  |
Over 10,000 writers are guild members. Emerging Writer Membership provides advice about the publishing industry, marketing, social media, and website building. The category also includes access to members-only workshops, seminars, and events, and digital access to the Authors Guild Bulletin. Other membership levels also include legal help. |
Annual membershipRegular – $135 |
| The Authors Guild is the nation’s professional organization for writers, aiding and protecting author’s interest in copyright, fair contracts, and free expression. Over 10,000 writers are guild members. |  |
| Emerging Writer Membership provides advice about the publishing industry, marketing, social media, and website building. The category also includes access to members-only workshops, seminars, and events, and digital access to the Authors Guild Bulletin. Other membership levels also include legal help. |
Annual membershipRegular – $135 Associate – $135 Emerging Writer – $100 |
| The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing industry professionals dedicated to horror and dark fantasy. The 1,400+ members of the HWA represent 25 countries. The association publishes a monthly newsletter and offers online resources that include a membership roster and a listing of horror agents. Regional chapters meet for workshops, group readings, and social functions. |  |
There are no requirements for Supporting Allies
Associate Ally and Affiliate Writer membership requires evidence of work in those categories. Active Writers and Editors are the only voting members.
ConferenceThe HWA StokerCon 2022 is scheduled for May, in Denver, CO. |
Annual membershipRegular – $79 Ally – $59 Family (2-3) – $99 Corporate (1-10) – $135 |
| The Mystery Writers Association (MWA) serves mystery writers, crime writers, and allied professionals. Aspiring crime writers and folks devotees of crime fiction are welcomed in the organization. |  |
| The MWA organization has eleven regional chapters. All MWA members are automatically enrolled in one of eleven regional chapters. All chapters have a newsletter and most hold regular meetings. Associate and Affiliate Members are not required to have published works. Active Members must have published works in the mystery or crime genres. Associate and Affiliate Members are not required to have published works. Active Members must have published works in the mystery or crime genres. |
Annual membershipStudents – $58 All others – $115″ |
| Poets & Writers (P&W) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers. |  |
| The P&W website attracts one million unique visitors per year. It includes an online directory of more than 9,300 authors. Each issue of Poets & Writers Magazine reaches more than 100,000 writers. P&W’s programs include its magazine and content-rich website. The organization provides financial support for literary events and sponsors several writing awards. Poets & Writers is nonprofit, but not a membership organization. Instead, it publishes the bimonthly Poets & Writers Magazine. The organization supports 2,000 literary events every year. It does not hold a national conference. |
Subscriptions1 year Print only – $12 Print + digital – $15 2 years Print only – $20 Print + digital – $26 |
| Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association. Its mission is to advance the professional interests of romance writers through networking and advocacy. RWA seeks to establish ways for more writers to make a full-time living from their romance writing—or a part-time one that generously supplements their main income. |  |
The RWA is comprised of more than 100 local, international, and online chapters. Members have access to online and in-person events. They can participate at a reduced rate in literary contests and conferences. General RWA membership is open to published and unpublished romance fiction writers. Associate membership is open to people writing romance but who haven’t completed a novel/novella, as well as publishing industry professionals, and bloggers. ConferencesJuly 2022 RWA – Washington, DC July 2023 RWA – Anaheim, CA |
MembershipGeneral and Associate membership dues are $99 per year. |
| Among the ways that the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) promotes science fiction and fantasy writing is by hosting the SFWA Nebula Conference, during which Nebula Awards are presented. |  |
SFWA is home to nearly 2000 authors, artists, and allied professionals. The organization provides more than 30 distinct membership benefits in categories of Support, Promotion, Advocacy, Information, and Legal Defense.
Full members must have a verified catalog of science fiction, fantasy, or related genra that has earned at least $1000. Associate Members must have earned at least $100.
ConferenceSFWA’s 2022 Nebula Conference will be held online in May. |
MembershipFull. Associate, and Affiliate dues are $100 per year. |
| The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is a nonprofit network of writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. |  |
The SCBWI has more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 80 regional chapters. It sponsors 52 grants and awards. Membership is open to anyone over age 18. Full membership is open to authors and all who publish or produce books or other media for children, either commercially or independently. Published and Listed (PAL) member have had at least one book or article published commercially. SCBWI brings together top professionals in the children’s publishing world twice each year at our annual Summer and Winter Conferences. None are currently scheduled. |
MembershipFirst-year dues are $95. Annual renewal is $80. |
| Western Writers of America Inc. (WWA) promotes the literature of the American West. It sponsors the Spur Award and the Western Writers Hall of Fame. |  |
The organization has more than 700 members worldwide. Its annual convention brings editors and agents together with writers. Event sessions focus on the business of writing, history, and marketing.
The WWA welcomes all published writers who have written about the American West. Associate Members must have published a minimum of one book or five short stories about the West. Active members must have written at least three books, three screenplays, nine teleplays, or 20 shorter works.
ConferenceThe WWA’s 2022 convention will be held in Great Falls, Montana in June. |
MembershipAnnual dues are $75. |