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 Membership for published writers only, but award a Debut Dagger for the best unpublished crime novel.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.
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. Read more
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.
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)
Well-designed site with a lot of useful content, including List of Publications, Getting Published and list of Australian agents.
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.
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. Read more
The national writers' organisation. A useful site, with plenty of information for authors on resources, copyrights, contracts, writing markets, publisher contracts and research
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.
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.
Produced by the British CouncilThis government-supported body is best-known for its activities overseas, but in fact provides a great deal of information which is of interest to writers. http://www.britishcouncil.org/Their UK Literature Festivals provides a full listing, but this is only as up to date as the information supplied by the individual festival organizers. 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. Read more
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.
Society of British garden writers set up to improve the quality of gardening writing. Holds briefing days and has annual award scheme.
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.
Lively and attractive site for active group which runs a magazine and newsletter, as well as courses for writers.
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.
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/
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/
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
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
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
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
Represents British journalists and photographers. Has a useful list of links to media resources. http://media.gn.apc.org/
The site links to a NUJ freelance fees site
Association working to improve the situation for New Zealand writers. Members' contracts service, bookselling and offers website services. www.authors.org.nz
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/
Useful advice, particularly in book entitled Strategies: The Business of being a Playwright in Canada. www.puc.ca
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
A long established site with some well-researched links to writing resources. (http://www.sfwa.org/)
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
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/ Read more
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 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). Read more
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
Associated with The Hong Kong Writers Circle, this provides links for writers. http://www.hkwriterscircle.com/links_machine.htm
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/
Association of writers in motion picture, broadcast, cable and new media. www.wga.org/
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 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/
Association supporting Canadian writers. Membership fee but gives access to other Canadian writers and has manuscript evaluation service. www.writersunion.ca
The International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW teaches a combination of soul and craft through Conscious Writing which opens the way for writers to discover their authentic voice - on the page and in the world. Read more
International organisation supporting the careers of both aspiring and published children's authors via mentoring, community platform, courses, awards, magazine, podcasts, and more.
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'A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.'
on writing a book