Writers’ Associations | Writer's Labyrinth

Writers' Associations

Academy of American Poets - the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. Founded in 1934, the organization connects millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, Poets.org, and American Poets, an annual series of poetry readings and special events, and its education programs.
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) - the nation's professional organization of independent nonfiction writers. Membership consists of outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA's exacting standards of professional achievement
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) - encourages writers of Christian fiction, develops their skills, educates them in the market and is a fellowship for writers of like interests. Benefits include critique groups, writing courses, free advertising of upcoming books, awards, and many other resources.
American Crime Writers League (ACWL) - crime fiction and true crime - the league was formed in the late 1980s by a group of writers who wanted a private forum to exchange ideas and interact with other writers.
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) - the mission of AAJA is to offer support and association to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists, provide encouragement, education and scholarship to those AAPI students who wish to enter the ranks of journalism, work for fair and accurate coverage of Asian Pacific Americans and to increase the number of Asian Pacific American journalists and news managers in the industry.
Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) - provides community, opportunities, ideas, news, and advocacy for writers and teachers of writing.
Australian Society of Authors (ASA) - an organization representing Australia's literary creators and major advocate for the rights and remuneration of authors in Australia
The Authors Guild - their advocacy work supports authors’ rights and their ability to earn a living in the changing publishing landscape.
Canadian Authors Association - provides writers with a wide variety of programs, services and resources to develop their skills in the craft and business of writing.
Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) - member-supported not-for-profit organization founded in 1971. Members and friends include children's authors, illustrators and performers, as well as librarians, teachers, publishers, editors, parents and journalists.
The Crime Writers' Association - founded in 1953, this British organization offers support for published writers of detective novels, suspense, spy fiction, thrillers, legal tales, private-eye novels, true crime and related genres. Known for the prestigious Dagger Awards.
Electronic Literature Organization (ELO) - facilitates and and promotes the writing, publishing, and reading of literature in electronic media.
Historical Novel Society (HNS) - founded in the UK in 1997, the HNS promotes all aspects of historical fiction by providing support and opportunities for new writers, a community for authors, readers, agents and publishers and information for students, booksellers and librarians. The HNS has evolved into an international organization with an open membership.
International Women's Writing Guild (IWWG) - the mission of the Guild is to foster the personal and professional empowerment of woment through writing. Founded in 1977, the Guild supports women writers in their craft through regional and national conferences and start-up groups in addition to offering help with the business end of writing through their newsletter, workshops and more.
Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) - founded in 1998, the MWSA is a not-for-profit association of several hundred authors, poets, and artists, most of whom are U.S. military veterans or family members of veterans.
Mystery Writers of America (MWA) - the premier organization for mystery and crime writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and people who just love to read crime fiction.
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) - a professional association for writers and editors involved in commercial, literary, fiction and nonfiction writing. The association links independent professionals with the information, support, and resources they need to build a thriving business.
National Writers Association (NWA) - a non-profit organization that supports and enhances writers by fostering continuing education through awarding scholarships and providing no or low cost workshops and seminars.
National Writers Union (NWU) - the NWU's mission is to defend writers’ rights and improve their economic conditions; through the collective efforts of its members it is able to provide a host of resources, benefits, and services to those who join them, including advocacy, contract and grievance help, advice, publicity, health insurance and other Union Plus benefits.
Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) - based in Norman, Oklahoma on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, is an organization dedicated to supporting Native Americans in journalism through fellowships, scholarships, workshops and more.
Novelists, Inc. (NINC) - the professional network for career novelists.
New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) - the principal representative for the professional interests of writers in New Zealand; it helps protect basic rights of freedom of expression, and works to improve income and conditions for writers as well as offering a community for writers that promotes New Zealand writing and literary culture.
Poetry Book Society - "founded by T S Eliot and friends in 1953, the Poetry Book Society is a unique poetry society, providing information, guidance and discounts on the best contemporary poetry for a wide-ranging community of readers. The PBS is the biggest dedicated poetry bookseller in the UK."
Poetry Society of America (PSA) - founded in 1910, the PSA's mission is "to build a larger and more diverse audience for poetry, to encourage a deeper appreciation of the vitality and breadth of poetry in the cultural conversation, to support poets through an array of programs and awards, and to place poetry at the crossroads of American life."
Romance Writers of America (RWA) - a nonprofit trade association, the RWA's mission is to "advance the professional and common business interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy and by increasing public awareness of the romance genre."
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) - a professional organization for authors of science fiction, fantasy and related genres; membership is open to authors, artists and other industry professionals, including graphic novelists.
Sisters in Crime - founded by Sara Paretsky and a group of women at the 1986 Bouchercon in Baltimore, Sisters in Crime offers networking, advice and support to mystery authors. Members include authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by their affection for the mystery genre and their support of women who write mysteries.
Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network (SPAWN) - provides information, resources and opportunities for anyone involved in or interested in publishing, whether they're an author, freelance writer, artist or own a publishing company.
Western Writers of America (WWA) - "founded in 1953 to promote the literature of the American West and bestow Spur Awards for distinguished writing in the Western field. The founders were largely authors who wrote traditional Western fiction, but the organization swiftly expanded to include historians and other nonfiction authors, young adult and romance writers, and writers interested in regional history."
Women Writing the West - a nonprofit organization of writers and other professionals writing and promoting the Women's West.
Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) - a labor union composed of the thousands of writers who write content for television shows, movies, news programs, documentaries, animation, and Internet and mobile phones (new media).
Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) - represents professional English-language screenwriters in Canada.
Writer's Relief's List of Regional and State Writing Groups