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Writers' Organisations

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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.


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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.


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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)


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Well-designed site with a lot of useful content, including List of Publications, Getting Published and list of Australian agents.


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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.

In early 2015 ALCS added a superb new feature, Wise Up to Copyright, which guides you through the ins and outs of copyright.


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The national writers' organisation. A useful site, with plenty of information for authors on resources, copyrights, contracts, writing markets, publisher contracts and research


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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.

The site has now come into its own as a useful resource, as it’s built its excellent author biographies to include over 400 writers, including biographical details, bibliographies, critical reviews, prizes and author photos. Constantly updated and searchable by author, genre, nationality, gender, publisher, book title, date of publication and prize name and date. A really first-rate resource, and a place for all writers to aspire to be.  Update: this seems to have been downgraded, which is a shame, but it still contains much useful information, although it may not have so many newer writers.


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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.


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Society of British garden writers set up to improve the quality of gardening writing. Holds briefing days and has annual award scheme.


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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.


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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.


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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.

United States

United States

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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. It provides inspiration and information through monthly interviews with bestselling authors and international experts who share their knowledge and experience on all aspects of authorship. We offer FREE and FULL membership options with a wide range of Member Benefits alongside FREE resources for writers which include articles, audios, and a special report, How to Discover Your Authentic Voice. For more information and to join visit this address.

 

United States

United States

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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/

United States

United States

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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/

Ireland

Ireland

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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

Ireland

Ireland

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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'.


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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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Association working to improve the situation for New Zealand writers. Members' contracts service, bookselling and offers website services. www.authors.org.nz

New Zealand

New Zealand

PEN

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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/

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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Useful advice, particularly in book entitled Strategies: The Business of being a Playwright in Canada. www.puc.ca

Canada

Canada

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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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A long established site with some well-researched links to writing resources. (http://www.sfwa.org/)

United States

United States

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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

United States

United States

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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

United States

United States

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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

United States

United States

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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

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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.

United States

United States

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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.


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Lively and attractive site for active group which runs a magazine and newsletter, as well as courses for writers.


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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/

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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Associated with The Hong Kong Writers Circle, this provides links for writers.  http://www.hkwriterscircle.com/links_machine.htm

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

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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/

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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/

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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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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Association of writers in motion picture, broadcast, cable and new media.  www.wga.org/

United States

United States

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Association supporting Canadian writers. Membership fee but gives access to other Canadian writers and has manuscript evaluation service. www.writersunion.ca

Canada

Canada

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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

Canada

Canada