NATIONAL WRITING ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS
There are a wide variety of national writers organizations that you can join and most are divided out into the main genre. Most of the state and local chapters require you to be a member of those before you can join theirs.
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN FICTION WRITERS
https://www.acfw.com/
ACFW’s mission is to advance Christian Fiction by inspiring writers to join with God in the creative process, training them in the craft, and educating them in the publishing industry.
ACFW offers Writing courses, Critique groups, The premier Christian Fiction Conference: August 25-28 in Nashville, and The fellowship, and encouragement of other authors and Prayer partners.
First-year membership dues for ACFW are $75 (Renewals are $49)).
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ACFWOfficialPage
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/ACFWTweets
No Official North Florida Chapters there is one in Central Florida on Facebook.
SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
https://www.scbwi.org/
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators provides the resources, professional networking, and community-building opportunities that support writers, illustrators, and translators throughout their careers.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SCBWI/
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/scbwi
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/scbwi/
Must be 18 or older to join SCBWI. We do not offer memberships for anyone under the age of 18.
- One-time renewal fee – renewing membership one year at a time: $85.00 USD
- Auto-renewal fee – membership renews automatically annually: $80.00 USD
- Student renewal fee with current student ID or transcript: $25.00 USD
- Developing Nations annual renewal fee: $50.00 USD
No local chapters are listed on the National website
NATIONAL HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION
https://horror.org/
A nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. We sponsor the annual Bram Stoker Awards for superior achievement in horror literature.
Dues vary but the average is $79/year.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Horrorwritersassoc
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/horrorwriters
YouTubePage: https://www.youtube.com/user/HorrorWriters
No Florida Chapters on the internet but South-West Florida on Facebook.
Florida Horror Writers Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/262019700502304/
MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA
https://mysterywriters.org/
Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. We provide scholarships for writers, sponsor MWA Literacy programs, sponsor symposia, and conferences, present the Edgar® Awards, and conduct other activities to further a better appreciation and higher regard for crime writing.
You do NOT have to be published to join our organization. We welcome everyone interested in mysteries and crime writing to join MWA. Our membership term is July 1st through June 30th. Dues are currently $115/per term. If you join MWA during January-March, your dues will be pro-rated upon renewal. If you join during April-June, you will automatically be paid for the next term.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwanational/
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/EdgarAwards
YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/MysteryWriters1140
Only has regional Chapter Groups although the entire state of Florida is considered a region they only have information on meetings for Central and South Florida
https://mwaflorida.org/
National Writers Association Foundation
https://www.nationalwriters.com/
Our association has offered thousands of members, both beginning and professional, personal consultation on writing problems, marketing assistance, in-depth reports on the facets of writing, a quarterly online magazine, and monthly newsletters. In doing so, it has been more than just a professional organization. It’s been a writer’s family — a network of aspiring and professional writers, publishers, and editors who understand each other’s challenges and needs — an organization whose motto is simple but significant: ‘You Are Not Alone.”
Yearly Members is $65 for Regular and $85 for Professional
NONFICTION AUTHORS ASSOCIATION
https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/
Welcome to the Nonfiction Authors Association (NFAA), a vibrant community for authors to connect, exchange ideas, and learn about book publishing and promotion. Our primary focus is to provide our members with educational resources and community support for nonfiction books including business, self-development, health and fitness, memoir, history, how-to, creative nonfiction, and reference books. Started May 2013
Membership starts at $39/month for beginning level membership up to $2490/year
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nonfictionauthorsassociation
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/nonfictionassoc
ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA
https://www.rwa.org/
Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association whose 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.
Annual dues are $99 for General and Associate members; a $25 processing fee will apply to all new and reinstating members. Membership dues and fees are non-refundable.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/romancewriters
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/romancewriters
YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/romancewriters/
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/romancewriters/
Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9203237-romance-writers-of-america
This organization has no state chapters in Florida. Most of our romance writers join a regular fiction writing group.
SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA
https://www.sfwa.org/
SFWA is an organization for published authors and industry professionals in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. Founded in 1965, SFWA informs, supports, promotes, defends, and advocates for its members. We host the prestigious Nebula Awards at our annual SFWA Nebula Conference, assist members in legal disputes with publishers, offer the Speakers Bureau, and administer grants to SFF community organizations and members facing medical or legal expenses.
SFWA Membership is open to authors, artists, editors, and other industry professionals who meet our eligibility requirements.
Active member dues are USD 100.00 annually. Eligibility is linked to verifiable income from published works. See website for Details.
Eligibility linked to verifiable income from published works (less stringent). See website for details.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SFWA.org?fref=ts
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/sfwa
The website lists no local chapters or Affiliates anywhere in the U.S. but we have a local SFF group in North Florida look at the county listings about.
SISTERS IN CRIME
https://www.sistersincrime.org/
Our mission is to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers.
An ACTIVE member is a paid-up Sisters in Crime, Inc. member who does not have a business interest in promoting the purposes of Sisters in Crime, Inc. This includes but is not limited to, fans and readers.
Professional Member Dues
Annual membership: $60
Annual auto-renew membership: $60
Lifetime membership: $600
A PROFESSIONAL member is a paid-up Sisters in Crime, Inc. member who is one of the following: an author pursuing a career in mystery writing, a bookseller, a publisher, a librarian, an editor or one who has a business interest in promoting the purposes of Sisters in Crime, Inc.
Professional, Annual Dues: $50
2-Year Member Professional, Bi-Annual Dues: $100
Lifetime Member Professional, Dues: $500
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sistersincrime
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/SinCNational
Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/sistersincrime/
There are several chapters within Florida Chapter is NE Florida Sisters in Crime
WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA
https://westernwriters.org/
Western Writers of America, Inc., was 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. Western Writers of America annually honors writers for distinguished writing about the American West with the Spur Awards.
WWA is open to any published writer whose subject matter deals with the American West. Generally, a writer must have published one book or several magazine articles to qualify for Associate Membership or have three books and numerous articles for Active membership. Active/Associate Membership Fee is $75 annually
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/western.writers?fref=ts
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/Western_Writers
No local Chapters are listed on the website
WOMEN’S FICTION WRITERS ASSOCIATION
https://wfwa.memberclicks.net/
An inclusive organization of writers creating layered stories that are driven by the main character’s emotional journey. We are a volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing a community for career-focused women’s fiction writers via networking, education, and continuing support for career growth.
Annual dues are $58, payable after the registration process. Please note that WFWA is a not-for-profit organization as determined by the IRS.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WFWritersAssociation/?fref=ts
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/WF_Writers
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/womensfictionwriters/
Pinterest Page: https://www.pinterest.com/WF_Writers/
GoodReads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/55169805
No local/State Chapters Listed on the website
Writers Unions and Guilds
Authors Guild
https://authorsguild.org/
the Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for published writers.
Know your rights as a working author: We’ll review your publishing contracts line-by-line and advise you on other legal issues.
Support our fight for those rights
Your membership helps us protect free speech, honor copyright, and ensure fair compensation practices in the changing publishing landscape.
Build community with your fellow writers: Our online forum and our regional chapters enable you to tap into the collective knowledge of our 14,000-strong membership. They have regional chapter contacts. There is an ambassador established in Tampa, Florida however, there is a contact form only and no internet pages.
Membership Dues Amount
The base dues are $13.50 a month. Higher dues are suggested for earning over $25,000 in writing income. If you change your payment level, it will go into effect on your next payment.
$13.50/month – Basic Dues: Annual writing income is between $0 – $24,999
$16.00/month – Annual writing income is between $25,000 – $49,999
$29.00/month – Annual writing income is between $50,000 – $99,999
$46.00/month – Annual writing income is $100,000 or more
$87.00/month – Sustaining Member*
$215.00/month – Benefactor Member*
National Writers Union
https://nwu.org
A) The purpose of the NWU shall be to promote and protect the rights, interests, and economic advancement of members; to organize writers to improve professional working conditions through collective bargaining action; and to provide professional services to members.
B) The NWU commits itself to representing the interests of the full range of writers in the US. in all genres, media and formats. These include writers of diverse cultures, ethnicities, politics, religions and racial identities; writers of all ages and all sexual/gender orientations; writers with disabilities; and writers at all levels of economic and commercial success.
New Membership *
Under $5,000 (monthly recurring) – $ 12.50
$5,001 – 15,000 (monthly recurring) – $ 18.75
$15,001 – 30,000 (monthly recurring) – $ 25.00
$30,001 – 50,000 (monthly recurring) – $ 29.16
Over $50,000 (monthly recurring) – $ 33.33
Under $5,000 (6 mo) – $ 75.00
Under $5,000 (annual) – $ 150.00
$5,001-15,000 (6 mo) – $ 112.50
$5,001-15,000 (annual) – $ 225.00
$15,001-30,000 (6 mo) – $ 150.00
$15,001-30,000 (annual) – $ 300.00
$30,001-50,000 (6 mo) – $ 175.00
$30,001-50,000 (annual) – $ 350.00
Over $50,000 (6 mo) – $ 200.00
Over $50,000 (annual) – $ 400.00
They have regional chapters in the U.S. but none in Florida.
Writers Guild of America East
https://www.wgaeast.org/
Since our goal is to improve the living standards for all creative professionals, our work to protect creative professionals extends beyond our current membership. We are active in efforts to expand and grow our union through Organizing campaigns and Caucuses.
We’ve come a long way since 1954, and we’re going further still in our efforts to grow our numbers and protect our members in all aspects of life. Just as our understanding of media has changed since the mid-20th century – and just as that understanding will likely shift in the years to come – so too has our conception of what it means to be part of the Writers Guild changed over the years.
While there is no single way to be eligible for Writers Guild membership, the general fundamental requirement for joining the Writers Guild is that you are hired to write by an employer who is a signatory to a Guild contract.
Writers can determine whether their employer is a Guild signatory by contacting our Signatories Administrator.
If your employer is a signatory to a Guild contract, and your field of work falls within that contract’s jurisdiction, then you are eligible to become a member of the Writers Guild. Here’s what to expect next:
When you begin work for a signatory company, the company should inform you that you need to become a Guild member. The company should also provide the WGAE Membership Department with a Notice of Hire. After the WGAE receives this notice, we will send you a membership application.
Writers Guild of America – West
https://www.wga.org/
We work on a unit system (described in detail below*) based on writing employment and/or sales within the Guild’s jurisdiction and with a “signatory” company (a company that has signed the Guild’s collective bargaining agreement). Depending upon the number of units earned, a writer may be eligible for either Current (full) membership, or Associate (partial) membership.
Current membership: To be eligible for Current membership a writer must acquire a minimum of 24 units in the three years preceding application. Upon final qualification for Current membership, an initiation fee of $2,500 is due, payable to the Writers Guild of America West.
Associate membership: To be eligible for Associate membership a writer must acquire less than 24 units in the three years preceding application. Upon final qualification, Associate membership is available for a total of three years at a cost of $100 per year, payable to the Writers Guild of America West.
Last Updated 04/15/2024
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