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LINKS: Organizations for Writers

General Organizations · Children's Writing · Christian · Editing, Business, and Tech Writing · Genres · Journalism · Nonfiction - Topical · Poetry, Greeting Cards, Lyrics & Music · Publishing/Publishers · Scripts & Screenwriting · Travel Writing · International Organizations

General/Professional Organizations

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
https://www.asja.org/

Arts Council of England
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk

Authors Guild
https://authorsguild.org/
Criteria for full membership: a book or three short stories or articles. Member benefits: Authors Guild Bulletin, the Author's Registry, contract advice, legal information, member weblinks, health insurance, etc.

Association of American Literary Agents
https://aalitagents.org/
The primary organization of literary agents, with FAQs, a "canon of ethics," and a list of members.

Canadian Authors' Association
https://canadianauthors.org/national/

Canadian Freelance Guild
https://canadianfreelanceguild.ca/en/

Freelancers Union
https://www.freelancersunion.org/
This isn't specifically for writers, but for anyone who freelances.

International Association of Aspiring Authors
https://theauthormaker.com/associationofaspiringauthors/

International Women's Writing Guild
https://iwwg.org/

National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
https://naiwe.com/

National League of American Pen Women
https://www.nlapw.org/
"The NLAPW offers a place for women artists, writers, composers and choreographers to and enrich their professional lives through networking, professional development, exhibits, concerts, publications and service to the community." Not limited to writers!

National Writers' Association
https://www.nationalwriters.com/page/page/1963103.htm

National Writers Union
https://nwu.org
Criteria for full membership: a book, a play, three articles, five poems, a short story, or an equal amount of nonfiction. Member benefits: American Writer, job hotline, grievance committee, libel and health insurance, press pass, local chapters, member weblinks, publication rights and contract advice, etc.

Novelists Inc.
https://ninc.com/
"Ninc is the only writers organization devoted exclusively to the needs of multi-published novelists."

Poets & Writers
https://www.pw.org/
"The nation's largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers."

Women's National Book Association
https://www.wnba-books.org/

The Writer's Union of Canada
https://www.writersunion.ca

Children's Writing

CANSCAIP
https://www.canscaip.org
Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers

Children's Book Council (CBC)
https://www.cbcbooks.org
Information on writing children's books, submission guidelines, tips for writers and illustrators, and links to authors' and illustrators' home pages.
Children's Literature Association
https://www.childlitassn.org/

Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
https://www.scbwi.org
The only professional organization dedicated to serving people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children's literature.

Christian Writers

Advanced Writers and Speakers Association
https://awsa.com/
An organization for women Christian writers and speakers.

American Christian Fiction Writers
https://acfw.com/

American Christian Writers
https://regaforder.wordpress.com/groups/
A list of writers' groups/chapters around the country.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA)
https://www.ecpa.org/page/about_ecpa

Evangelical Press Association
https://www.evangelicalpress.com/ https://www.evangelicalpress.com/category/writing/

Fellowship of Christian Writers
https://fellowshipofchristianwriters.org/

Heart of America Christian Writers Network
https://www.hacwn.org/

Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship
https://inscribe.org/

Word Guild
https://www.thewordguild.com
Canadian organization of Christian authors.

Editing, Business, and Technical Writing

American Medical Writers Association
https://www.amwa.org/
Provides conferences, certificate programs, and a freelance directory of medical communication services.

American Society of Business Publication Editors
https://asbpe.org/

American Society for Indexing
https://www.asindexing.org/

Association for Business Communication
https://www.businesscommunication.org/

Association of Ghostwriters
https://associationofghostwriters.org

Editorial Freelancers Association
https://www.the-efa.org/
Events, links, articles, and benefits for editorial freelancers.

Editors Association of Canada
https://www.editors.ca

Professional Association of Resume Writers
https://parwcc.com/

Professional Editors' Group (South Africa)
https://editors.org.za/

Professional Editors' Network
https://www.pensite.org/

Society for Technical Communication (STC) - Canada
https://stctoronto.org/
Articles, links, and other resources for technical writers and communicators.

Genre Organizations

American Crime Writers League
https://www.acwl.org/
"A professional organization restricted to currently active writers published in the United States in the field of crime fiction and true crime."

British Science Fiction Association
https://www.bsfa.co.uk/

Carl Brandon Society
https://carlbrandon.org
"The mission of the Carl Brandon Society is to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the production of and audience for speculative fiction."

Crime Writers Association
https://thecwa.co.uk/
British mystery writers' organization; includes extensive list of author-member websites.

Crime Writers of Canada
https://www.crimewriterscanada.com

Erotica Readers & Writers Association
https://www.erotica-readers.com/links/writers-resources/

Historical Novel Society
https://historicalnovelsociety.org/
Includes a definition of the historical novel, articles, reviews, newsletter and more.

Horror Writers Association
https://horror.org
Criteria for full membership: a novel or three short stories sold to professional markets. Member benefits: monthly market newsletter, member only anthologies, meetings at World Horror Conventions, regional meetings, chat rooms, newsgroups, etc.

International Association of Crime Writers: North American Branch
https://www.crimewritersna.org/
Click "Other Branches" for information on non-US branches.

International Thriller Writers
https://thrillerwriters.org/

Mystery Writers of America
http://mysterywriters.org
Awards: Edgars. Criteria for full membership: a novel, several short stories or screenplay. Member benefits: The Third Degree newsletter, local chapters, regional meetings, national conference (Bouchercon), grievance committee, member weblinks, etc.

The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA)
http://www.privateeyewriters.com/

Romance Writers of America
https://www.rwa.org
Awards given: RITA and Golden Heart. Criteria for full membership - a published novel. Benefits: Romance Writers Report, chat rooms, newsgroups, member weblinks, local chapters, national convention, health and life insurance, etc.

Romance Writers of Australia
https://romanceaustralia.com/

Romantic Novelists Association (UK)
https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
https://www.sfwa.org
Awards given: Nebula and Andre Norton. Criteria for full membership: a novel or three short stories sold to professional markets. Member benefits: The Bulletin magazine and The Forum newsletter, chat rooms, newsgroups, member links, emergency medical fund, legal fund, grievance committee, meetings at WorldCon and regional conventions, etc.

Sisters in Crime
https://www.sistersincrime.org/

SF Canada
https://www.sfcanada.org/
"SF Canada exists to foster a sense of community among Canadian writers of speculative fiction, to improve communication, to foster the growth of quality writing, to lobby on behalf of Canadian writers, and to encourage the translation of Canadian speculative fiction. SF Canada supports positive social action."

Western Writers of America
https://westernwriters.org/
Awards: Spurs. Criteria for full membership: three books, thirty articles or a screenplay. Member benefits: Roundup Magazine, national convention, member weblinks, etc.

Women Writing the West
https://www.womenwritingthewest.org
Membership: writers, fans and others promoting the Women's West, one "that speaks to the diversity of women of all cultures and all time periods." Benefits: writers' resources, a national conference, a newsletter, the Willa awards, a catalogue of member's writing, etc.

Journalism

American Press Institute
https://americanpressinstitute.org/

American Society of Newspaper Editors
https://asne.org/

Asian American Journalists Association
https://www.aaja.org/

Committee to Protect Journalists
https://cpj.org/

Indigenous Journalists Association
https://najanewsroom.com/

National Association of Black Journalists
https://nabjonline.org/

National Association of Hispanic Journalists
https://nahj.org/

National Press Photographers Association
https://nppa.org/

National Society of Newspaper Columnists
https://www.columnists.com

NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists
https://www.nlgja.org/

Online News Association
https://journalists.org/

Society of Environmental Journalists
https://www.sej.org/

Society of Professional Journalists
https://www.spj.org/index.asp

World Association of News Publishers
https://wan-ifra.org/

Nonfiction - Topical

Cat Writer's Association
https://catwriters.com/
For writers in any field relating to cats: fiction, nonfiction, scripts, audio, etc.

Dog Writers Association of America
https://dogwriters.org/
For writers in any field relating to dogs: fiction, nonfiction, scripts, audio, etc.

Garden Communicators International
https://gardencomm.org/

International Association of Culinary Professionals
https://www.iacp.com
This organization includes food writers, cookbook authors, cooking school owners, chefs, caterers, teachers, food stylists and photographers; one section is devoted to Food Writers and Editors.

International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association
https://www.ifwtwa.org/
This organization consists of professional food, wine and travel journalists in 28 countries; travel and hospitality industry organizations are associate members.

The National Association of Science Writers
https://www.nasw.org

Outdoor Writers of America
https://owaa.org/

Safety Writers Association
https://policewriter.com/
The organization is open to writers who are members of the public safety family -- police officers, civilian police personnel, firefighters, fire support personnel, emergency personnel, security personnel, others in the public safety field as well as those who write about public safety issues.

Poetry, Greeting Cards, Lyrics & Music

Academy of American Poets
https://www.poets.org/
A membership site for poets, including contests, publicity, and advertising.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
https://www.ascap.com/

League of Canadian Poets
https://poets.ca/

Poetry Society of America
https://poetrysociety.org/

The Poetry Society (UK)
https://poetrysociety.org.uk/

Poets & Writers
https://www.pw.org/
"The nation's largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers."

Publishing

The American Book Producers Association
https://abpaonline.org/
A trade group for book packagers. The site includes an extensive membership list.

Association of American Publishers
https://publishers.org/
"We are America's premier publishers of high-quality entertainment, education, scientific and professional content."

APSS - The Association of Publishers for Special Sales
http://community.bookapss.org/
Formerly SPAN. Now run by Brian Jud, "The APSS mission is to become known as the premier source of information, education and help for publishers of high-quality content published in printed, electronic or audio form for sale to consumers, non-bookstore retailers and non-retail buyers.

Community of Literary Magazines and Presses
https://www.clmp.org
Offers an extensive online member directory, and also a larger directory for sale.

Electronic Literature Organization
https://eliterature.org/

Independent Book Publishers Association
https://www.ibpa-online.org/
Organization for self-publishers and small presses.

Writers and Publishers Network
https://writersandpublishersnetwork.com/
Formerly SPAWN, this site offers a number of resources for self-published authors.

Scripts and Screenwriting

American Association of Community Theatre
https://aact.org/

Australian Writers Guild
https://www.awg.com.au/

British Film Institute
https://www.bfi.org.uk/
Information on the UK film industry.

Directors' Guild
https://www.dga.org/

The Dramatists' Guild
https://www.dramatistsguild.com/
"The only professional association which advances the interests of playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists writing for the living stage."

Playwrights Guild of Canada
https://playwrightsguild.ca/

Screen Actors' Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
https://www.sagaftra.org/

Writers Guild of America West
https://www.wga.org
Criteria for full membership: a screenplay sold or film-related literary work done for a Guild signatory. Member benefits: Written By magazine, member weblinks, insurance, pension, credit union, script registration, strike fund, etc.

Writers Guild of Canada
https://www.writersguildofcanada.com/

Writers' Guild of Great Britain
https://writersguild.org.uk/
"The Writers' Guild of Great Britain supports writers across media including books, film, online, radio, theatre, TV and videogames."

Travel Writing

Australian Association of Travel Writers
https://www.astw.org.au/

British Guild of Travel Writers
https://bgtw.org/

International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association
https://www.ifwtwa.org/
This organization consists of professional food, wine and travel journalists in 28 countries; travel and hospitality industry organizations are associate members.

North American Travel Journalists Association
https://www.natja.org/

Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild (UK)
https://www.owpg.org.uk/
"The guild for outdoor content creators - writers, photographers, bloggers, podcasters, editors, illustrators, vloggers, film-makers, etc."

The Society of American Travel Writers Foundation
https://satwf.com/

Travel Media Association of Canada
https://www.travelmedia.ca/

International Organizations

NOTE: Many organizations listed above have an international reach or membership, but are based in the US. This section lists organizations that are based outside the US.

Arts Council of England
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk

Australian Association of Travel Writers
https://www.astw.org.au/

Australian Writers Guild
https://www.awg.com.au/

British Film Institute
https://www.bfi.org.uk/
Information on the UK film industry.

British Guild of Travel Writers
https://bgtw.org/

British Science Fiction Association
https://www.bsfa.co.uk/

Canadian Authors' Association
https://canadianauthors.org/national/

Canadian Freelance Guild
https://canadianfreelanceguild.ca/en/

CANSCAIP
https://www.canscaip.org
Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers

Crime Writers Association
https://thecwa.co.uk/
British mystery writers' organization; includes extensive list of author-member websites.

Crime Writers of Canada
https://www.crimewriterscanada.com

Editors Association of Canada
https://www.editors.ca

International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association
https://www.ifwtwa.org/
This organization consists of professional food, wine and travel journalists in 28 countries; travel and hospitality industry organizations are associate members.

League of Canadian Poets
http://poets.ca/

The National Association of Writers' Groups (UK)
https://www.nawg.co.uk/

Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild (UK)
https://www.owpg.org.uk/
"The guild for outdoor content creators - writers, photographers, bloggers, podcasters, editors, illustrators, vloggers, film-makers, etc."

Playwrights Guild of Canada
https://playwrightsguild.ca/

The Poetry Society (UK)
https://poetrysociety.org.uk/

Professional Editors' Group (South Africa)
https://editors.org.za/

Romance Writers of Australia
https://romanceaustralia.com/

Romantic Novelists Association (UK)
https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org

SF Canada
https://www.sfcanada.org/
"SF Canada exists to foster a sense of community among Canadian writers of speculative fiction, to improve communication, to foster the growth of quality writing, to lobby on behalf of Canadian writers, and to encourage the translation of Canadian speculative fiction. SF Canada supports positive social action."

Society for Technical Communication (STC) - Canada
https://stctoronto.org/
Articles, links, and other resources for technical writers and communicators.

Travel Media Association of Canada
https://www.travelmedia.ca/

Word Guild
https://www.thewordguild.com
Canadian organization of Christian authors.

Writers Guild of Canada
https://www.writersguildofcanada.com/
Screenwriting guild.

Writers' Guild of Great Britain
https://www.writersguild.org.uk/
"The Writers' Guild of Great Britain supports writers across media including books, film, online, radio, theatre, TV and videogames."

The Writer's Union of Canada
https://writersunion.ca/

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