MWA and ITW - are YOU a member?!

MarkEsq

MarkEsq

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What's your thinking on joining groups like Mystery Writers of America, or the International Writers organization? The former is $95 a year, the latter free.

But more than price, I wondered if anyone had benefited from association with these types of groups? There are so many demands on my time (and money!) that I hate to add more to the pile if the return is minimal.

Thoughts?
 

MysteryRiter

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I'm sorry, I'm not a member of either. I considered joining MWA (I believe one of the mags I've been in is on their approved mag list) but I decided that I didn't think it wouldn't do that much for me... I might be wrong, though. I'm interested to hear what other say.
 
Maryn

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I used to be a member of a good-sized in-person mystery and suspense critique group. (We've offloaded the unbearable members--'right-sizing' works!) We looked into MWA extensively, seeing what benefits it offered to the published short story writer, the novelist with an agent, and the published novelist. The answer at that time was, Nothin' much.

While the informational meetings featuring experts in fields mystery writers might find useful intrigued, and while the social events to talk shop sounded wonderful, all the events for the entire state were held in New York City--about 350 miles from us.

Of course, that was then, but before I paid anything for a membership, I'd do fresh research on whether they offer anything you can use at a location where you can actually get at it. In your state, Mark, I would guess they'd select a larger city that yours. Would it be worth it to travel? I dunno.

Maryn, wishing you Hippie Hollow-days (inside joke)
 
MarkEsq

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Maryn said:
I used to be a member of a good-sized in-person mystery and suspense critique group. (We've offloaded the unbearable members--'right-sizing' works!) We looked into MWA extensively, seeing what benefits it offered to the published short story writer, the novelist with an agent, and the published novelist. The answer at that time was, Nothin' much.

While the informational meetings featuring experts in fields mystery writers might find useful intrigued, and while the social events to talk shop sounded wonderful, all the events for the entire state were held in New York City--about 350 miles from us.

Of course, that was then, but before I paid anything for a membership, I'd do fresh research on whether they offer anything you can use at a location where you can actually get at it. In your state, Mark, I would guess they'd select a larger city that yours. Would it be worth it to travel? I dunno.

Maryn, wishing you Hippie Hollow-days (inside joke)
Click to expand...

Good tips, Maryn, thanks. Looks like mostly Houston and Dallas, which ain't helpful.

And it's a tad chilly for the Hollow right now... ;)
 
Calla Lily

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I'm a member of MWA and Sisters in Crime. I don't use either to anything like their full advantage, according to all the stuff on their websites.

MWA membership and some good sales skills on my part got me into a panel with Jon@than M@yberry and W3ndi C0rsi St@ub. It was a good panel to get my feet wet with, plus I finally met my agent in person that day. But like Maryn said, everything's in NYC--450 miles south of me. I don't know if I'll be renewing either membership next year.
 
jeseymour

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MarkEsq said:
What's your thinking on joining groups like Mystery Writers of America, or the International Writers organization? The former is $95 a year, the latter free.

But more than price, I wondered if anyone had benefited from association with these types of groups? There are so many demands on my time (and money!) that I hate to add more to the pile if the return is minimal.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'm a member of MWA and Sisters in Crime. I'm also a member of the local chapters of both. I'm the editor of the SinCNE newsletter. My major reason for joining is the access to local workshops. SinCNE has frequent workshops at a reduced price to members and some that are only open to members. I also get a discount at Crime Bake. Through SinCNE I get publicity by being a part of the Speakers Bureau. Members of MWA can submit to the anthology, and one of my local friends had a story in that last year. It's well worth it to me.
 
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