29 Writing Organizations for Writers to Check Out

Writing organizations are a great way for writers to build community, connect with other like-minded writers, and receive other perks. For instance, associations often offer magazines and publication opportunities that don’t exist elsewhere, in addition to many other benefits.

(100 Common Publishing Terms.)

This is an incomplete list that will likely be altered over time. Also, inclusion on this list does not equal an endorsement, but you’ve got to start somewhere, and I hope one (or more) of these groups is helpful for other writers.

29 Writing Organizations for Writers to Check Out

Academy of American Poets (poets.org). The Academy of American Poets was founded in 1934 to champion American poets and poetry in all 50 states. Their site includes links to poems, poets, contests, and more.American Medical Writers Association (amwa.org). “Founded in 1940, AMWA is the leading professional organization for writers, editors, and other communicators of medical information.”American Society of Journalists and Authors (asja.org). “Founded in 1948, ASJA is the nation’s largest professional organization of independent nonfiction writers.” Site includes resources, a member directory, and more.American Translators Association (atanet.org). “Founded in 1959, the American Translators Association is the largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S.” Their site includes career and education information, certification opportunities, and more.Association for Women in Communications (womcom.org). “AWC is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines.” Association of American Literary Agents (aalitagents.org). “AALA is the preeminent organization of and for professional literary agents in the United States.” Site includes a canon of ethics, information on a fellowship program, list of member agents, and more.Association of Authors’ Agents (agentsassoc.co.uk). Trade association for literary agents operating in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Site includes a members directory, author resources, and much more.Association of Writers & Writing Programs (awpwriter.org). Founded in 1967, AWP is pulls together writers and writing programs, including colleges and universities. “AWP amplifies the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing.”Authors Guild (authorsguild.org). “With more than 14,000 members, the Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for published writers.” There are different levels of membership based off experience levels.Dramatists Guild of America (dramatistsguild.com). “Since 1919, our mission has been to provide our members with education, advocacy, opportunity, and community.” This group is a trade association for theater writers, including playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists.Education Writers Association (ewa.org). “The Education Writers Association is dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of education coverage to create a better-informed society.”Horror Writers Association (horror.org). Founded in the 1980s, HWA “is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it.”International Women’s Writing Guild (iwwg.com). “We have a strong membership, monthly e-newsletters, a yearly summer conference, regional events, and anthologies.” Founded in 1976, this group works to support culturally diverse women writers.Mystery Writers of America (mysterywriters.org). “Mystery Writers of America, Inc was established in 1945 by a dozen or so like-minded mystery writers for the purpose of promoting and protecting the interest and welfare of mystery writers and to increase the esteem and literary recognition given to the genre.”National Association of Science Writers (nasw.org). “The National Association of Science Writers is a community of journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology.”National Writers Union (nwu.org). The NWU “is the only labor union that represents freelance writers working in all genres, formats, and mediums.”Outdoor Writers Association of America (owaa.org). “An international, nonprofit organization, OWAA represents a diverse group of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience.”Poetry Society of America (poetrysociety.org). “The Poetry Society of America, the nation’s oldest poetry organization, was founded in 1910. Its mission is to place poetry at the crossroads of American life.”Poets & Writers (pw.org). “Founded in 1970, Poets & Writers is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers.”Romance Writers of America (rwa.org). 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.”Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (sfwa.org). “The purpose of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association is to promote, advance, and support science fiction and fantasy writing in the United States and elsewhere, by educating and informing the general public and supporting and empowering science fiction and fantasy writers.”Sisters in Crime (sistersincrime.org). “Sisters in Crime is the premier crime writing association focused on equity and inclusion in our community and in publishing. Founded in 1986 to represent and advocate for women crime writers, we celebrate and honor this history with our name while we continue to work for all who share our commitment to and love for a vibrant, inclusive community.”Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (sabew.org). “SABEW is the association for business journalists.”Society of American Travel Writers (satw.org). “SATW is a professional organization comprised of the travel industry’s most experienced journalists, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, public relations experts and hospitality industry representatives from the United States, Canada and beyond.”Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (scbwi.org). “The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is the preeminent membership organization for children’s book creators. We are a global community of writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, librarians, advocates, and other industry professionals working to establish a more imaginative and inclusive world through the power of children’s literature.”Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (vlany.org). “Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations.”Western Writers of America (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.”Writers Guild of America-East (wgaeast.org). “The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing thousands of members who write content for motion pictures, television, news and online media.”Writers Guild of America-West (wga.org). “Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of our members.”

With a growing catalog of instructional writing videos available instantly, we have writing instruction on everything from improving your craft to getting published and finding an audience. New videos are added every month!