Writing associations: is there a general one?

[ArcticFox]

I know that there are associations for romance, horror and science fiction and fantasy. I was wondering if there was one that is not genre specific. I am hoping to sell short stories, but they run the gamut of genres. I am also curious if they are worth it. Can anyone direct me to some threads on that my search turned up nothing. I must be having an off day.

[san_remo_ave]

Do you mean like the Author's Guild (http://www.authorsguild.org/)?

I believe you have to be published to join.

[ArcticFox]

Something like that, but somewhere you can join with short stories too.

[Linda Adams]

You might try looking for a regional writing organization. There is one on the East Coast -- American Independent Writers (http://www.amerindywriters.org/). There is also likely to be state specific requirements.

However, many of the organizations now do have publishing requirements to be members. Depending on the organization, it varies as to the publication. Many have a list of acceptable publications, and the list is often quite short. Translation: If you've gotten published in an online magazine, it's probably not going to count.

Do they help? Depends on the organization. Depends on what you're looking for. I'm a member of ITW and AIW. ITW has really fantastic workshops at their conference. I've been to one and wouldn't mind going back. But the conference is extremely expensive. Downside of ITW: They are very strongly slanted to authors who have been published by publishers on their requirements list, so much so that they are unfriendly to people not qualified. I've gotten frustrated because I've tried to volunteer several times and have been turned down because I'm associate member--yet, they send out emails begging for volunteers, and they've fussed at me for NOT volunteering.

AIW, because it is regional, gives workshops through out the year, rather than just at the writer's conference. Though they have some really high-level people, they treat all members pretty equally (though they also have similar publication requirements). Conference is very price friendly. Downside: They do have a non-fiction slant. You would probably get less out of it and the workshops than out of something like what ITW offers.

If you're looking at a writing organization to give you a foot in the door to get published, that probably won't happen. Everyone tends to think that it's who you know, but it still all comes down to the writing. If you're looking at to to add your knowledge about the publishing industry, you'll do better with it.

[ArcticFox]

Thanks, Linda. that is what I am looking for. No not to get in the door, but something for after I am published. I just didn't want to have to join three associations because my writing runs the gamut.

[CheshireCat]

If you're looking to keep a finger on the pulse of the business side of being a freelance writer, I'd suggest the National Writers Union.

[ArcticFox]

Thanks, CeCe!

[CheshireCat]

Welcome. :)

If it matters to you, be advised that the NWU has taken a stance in direct opposition to the Author's Guild with regard to the Google settlement. The NWU strongly believes in fighting for intellectual property rights and believes Google has willfully violated copyright and should be held to account for that. And, more importantly, stopped.

The Author's Guild has, IMO, chosen possible short-term gain (some pitiful compensation to authors for their stolen work) over the long-term idea of aggressively protecting our copyrights.

The NWU is hoping more writers will sign on with them so that they have enough clout to seriously challenge both the AG and Google.

(If you're wondering, I belong to both groups; I like to keep an eye on what's happening.)