Writers’ Organisations
Academi
The national society of Welsh writers, this offers a wide range
of support for Welsh writers and writers in Welsh, including courses,
competitions, conferences, author tours international exchanges, reading
and literary performances. It also funds Welsh-based literary events and
writers residences and an innovative scheme for talented young writers,
called ‘young writing squads’. (http://www.academi.org/main.cfm?language=english)
Academy of American Poets
The website of the wonderful Academy, which was founded in 1934 to
support American poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the
appreciation of contemporary poetry. Any poet or poetry lover would find
it worth a visit. http://www.poets.org/
Alliance of Independent Publishers
The only non-profit association for the
self-publishing writer. Started by Orna Ross as a response to her own
experience of leaving trade publishing to try the independent route, this
global organisation offers guidance and helpline, connection and
collaboration and a host of benefits and incentives.
allianceindependentauthors.org/
Arvon Foundation
The celebrated Arvon creative writing courses cover four and a half
days and range from Novel Writing to Starting to Write.
Some grants are available. (http://www.arvonfoundation.org/index.htm)
Association of Authors and Publishers
Houston-based networking group with a friendly site containing advice
for writers, info on their meetings and other assistance for writers. (http://www.authorsandpublishers.org/index.html)
Australian Society of Authors
Well-designed site with a lot of useful content, including List of
Publications, Getting Published and list of Australian agents. (http://www.asauthors.org).
The Authors’ Guild
The organisation representing American writers. As well as contract
negotiation tips, this runs a news comment service and a popular column,
Along Publishers Row and has recently added health insurance and
customised websites for its author members. (http://www.authorsguild.org)
Authors’ Licensing Collecting Society
The British rights management society for all writers. A non-profit
organisation owned by writers. Membership costs £5 and you have to
register (not join) to receive payments. The Society takes commission to
cover costs. It collects and distributes fees for writers whose work has
been copied, broadcast or recorded and also works on industry-wide
solutions to problems such as digital rights management. (http://www.alcs.co.uk/)
Canadian Authors' Association
The national writers' organisation www.canauthors.org
A useful site, with plenty of information for authors on resources,
copyrights, contracts, writing markets, publisher contracts and research.
(http://www.canauthors.org/links/contracts.html)
Crime Writers’ Association
A networking society for some 400 British crime writers (widely
defined) and links to their sites. Membership for published writers only,
but award a Debut Dagger for the best unpublished crime novel. Some
articles from their magazine Red Herrings are posted on the site and there
are links to many individual crime writers' websites. http://www.thecwa.co.uk/index.html
Contemporary Writers
Produced by the British Council in association with BookTrust, this is
an elegant but browsable site with pages on contemporary British writers
of a literary bent. Short articles (some excellent) and lists of books. www.contemporarywriters.com
The Federation of Worker Writers and Community Publishers
Umbrella for British federation of writers’ groups committed to
writing and publishing based on working-class experience. Provides
training and support for a range of community-based writers’ workshops
and publishing activities.
http://fedonline.org.uk/fed/
Garden Writers’ Guild
Society of British garden writers set up to improve the quality of
gardening writing. Holds briefing days and has annual award scheme. http://www.gardenwriters.co.uk/index.htm
Historical Writers' Association
Novelist Manda Scott has recently formed the Historical Writers’
Association as a forum for writers and to promote the genre. The
internet-based group already boasts around 100 members including authors,
agents and editors, is open to writers of historical fiction and
non-fiction.
www.thehwa.co.uk
The Hong Kong Writers' Circle
Lively and attractive site for active group which runs a magazine and
newsletter, as well as courses for writers. www.hkwriterscircle.com
Horror Writers’ Association
Lively and active worldwide organisation for writers of Horror and Dark
Fantasy. Unpublished writers admitted as affiliates. Newsletter,
networking and the annual Bram Stoker awards. http://www.horror.org/about.htm
HTML Writers Guild
For anyone interested in web design and writing, with around 123,000
members worldwide. Provides a network, information and support, including
online tutorials. In August 2001 merged into the International Webmasters
Association (IWA) to for the world's largest association of Internet
professionals. http://www.hwg.org
International Women's Writing Guild
Drawing on the Human Potential movement, New Age ideas and the women's
movement, this 25 year-old American organisation seeks to help empower
women through their writing. www.iwwg.com/
Irish Writers' Centre
National society for the promotion of writers and writing in Ireland.
Has events, courses, Writer in the Community scheme, an educational
programme and a newsletter.
www.writerscentre.ie/
Irish Writers' Union
This represents the interests of all Irish writers, although they must
join to get the newsletter. The union aims to organise Irish writers
and to achieve better remuneration and better contracts for authors.
www.ireland-writers.com
Murder Squad
A virtual collective of seven crime writers from the north of England,
which seems to be a model for achieving mutual support, communication with
other writers and improved marketing. www.murdersquad.co.uk
National Association of Writers in Education
A professional association supporting creative writing of all genres
and in all educational settings throughout the UK. They support writers in education, in universities and in the community, and
have useful resources, training and job opportunities plus the Artscape
directory. www.nawe.co.uk
National Association for Literature Development
The professional body for all those involved in developing writers,
readers and literature audiences in the UK.
The organisation focuses on professional development and training and supports
individuals involved in literature development.There's a mass of
other useful information on the site at
www.nald.org
National Union of Journalists
Represents British journalists and photographers. Has a useful
list of links to media resources. www.nuj.org.uk/front/index/php
The site links to a NUJ freelance fees
site
New Zealand Society of Authors
Association working to improve the situation for New Zealand writers.
Members' contracts service, bookselling and offers website services.
www.authors.org.nz
PEN
Supported by eminent writers, this is the English branch of
International Pen, which has centres in nearly 100 countries. It fights
for freedom of expression and against political censorship. It campaigns
for writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes murdered for their views.
http://www.englishpen.org/
Playwrights Union of Canada
Useful advice, particularly in book entitled Strategies: The
Business of being a Playwright in Canada. www.puc.ca
Royal Society of Literature
This British site may seem rather formal (stated aim ‘to sustain and encourage all that
is perceived as best whether traditional or experimental in English
letters, and to strive for a Catholic appreciation of literature’), but
has a lively series of lectures and discussions involving distinguished
authors. Also administers literary prizes. http://www.rslit.org/index1.html
Science Fiction Writers of America
A long established site with some well-researched links to writing
resources. (http://www.sfwa.org/)
Screenwriters Online
Slick site which offers inside information through The Screenwriter’s
Inside Report, a screenwriting competition and online masterclasses.
Worth a look if you’re serious about writing for Hollywood. http://www.screenwriter.com/insider/news.html
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
International organisation founded in Los Angeles in 1971 to act as
network for exchange of knowledge on children's books. 18,000
members include writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, librarians
etc. http://www.scbwi.org/
The British Region branch seems particularly lively, with workshops,
events and a newsletter. http://www.wordpool.co.uk/scbwi/index.htm
Society for Technical Communication
Individual membership organisation (25,000 members - the largest of its
kind in the world) which is for anyone who is involved in making technical
information available, i.e. technical writers and editors, content
developers, academics etc. www.stc.org
The Society of Authors
The British authors’ organization, with a membership of over 7,000
writers. Membership is open to those who have had a book published, or who
have an offer to publish (without subsidy by the author).
Offers individual specialist advice and a range of
publications to its members. Has also campaigned successfully on behalf
of authors in general for improved terms and established a minimum terms
agreement with many publishers. Recently campaigned to get the Public
Lending Right fund increased from £5 million to £7 million for the year
2002/2003. Regularly uses input from members to produce
comparative surveys of publishers’ royalty payment systems.
http://www.societyofauthors.org/
Society of Women Writers and Journalists
Set up for the encouragement of literary achievement, the upholding of
standards and social contact, this, the oldest society for women writers,
has regular meetings in London.
www.swwj.co.uk
The Wild East Links Machine
Associated with The Hong Kong Writers Circle (above), this provides
links for writers. http://www.hkwriterscircle.com/links_machine.htm
The Word Pool
Site created to increase profile of UK children's books on the
Internet. Useful articles on writing for children and free monthly
newsletter. http://www.wordpool.co.uk/
Writers Guild of America
Association of writers in motion picture, broadcast, cable and new
media. www.wga.org/
Writers’ Guild of Canada
A businesslike site for an organisation representing 1500
scriptwriters, which has a collective agreement, a script registration
service and advice for new writers at www.writersguildofcanada.com
The Writers
Guild of Great Britain
The UK writers’ trade union, which has fought to improve conditions
for writers and to establish a minimum terms agreement with publishers.
www.writersguild.org.uk/
Writers' Union of Canada
Association supporting Canadian writers. Membership fee but gives
access to other Canadian writers and has manuscript evaluation
service. www.writersunion.ca
