There is an overwhelming array of professional organizations for writers out there, set up to help writers learn, grow, publish, and market their work. Unfortunately, scattered among the bountiful harvest are a bunch of weeds. Some are noxious, even malicious in nature. I’ve found others weren’t so much problematic as they were unproductive.
A good professional writers organization proves its worth with every interaction. The first writers organization I joined was Pikes Peak Writers, and I retain my active membership to this day. PPW is a wonderful non-profit providing quality resources and opportunities for the writing community. Then I looked further out (but not too far) and joined Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, another small but potent group.
Once I released my first book, it became very clear that I need to connect beyond my local sphere. That is why I got a Facebook Business Page, an Amazon Author page, a GoodReads page, a Books2Read page, and a BookBub page. This is also when I first encountered promotional and marketing groups that were, well, less than professional.
Take a hard look at any group soliciting your membership and money. Most times they’re not worth it.
Writer beware: there are lots of companies with a business model based on taking advantage of authors. These are the ones that show up in your email inbox offering to list your book on their newsletter or connect you to their thousands of readers, all for a nominal fee. Oh, they can be very enticing. Some offer awards and contests and premium deals. One I am unafraid to call out because of their high pressure tactics and bad reputation is Reader’s Magnet. Writer Beware (not just a cautionary directive but a great watchdog resource for our industry) categorizes them as a scam. I agree, they opened by sending me a text message offering to get my book in Writer’s Digest and then in various catalogs. When I said no, they continued to contact me via email, voicemail, and text message. Steer clear.
Other companies or professional organizations for writers aren’t malicious, they just don’t really offer enough to make you shave off even more of your precious time to be part of them. Here is an example from my own life. This organization is not bad in any way. In fact they offer some truly great perks. I just found that my participation with them was redundant. I wasn’t gaining anything from them I wasn’t already getting from somewhere else.
The League of Utah Writers allows membership from anywhere and they have chapters all around Utah that come together for a big annual conference in Salt Lake City. LUW provides access to critique groups, workshops, contests, networking, pitching agents, business insights: all the great things a professional organization should offer member authors. It’s just that I get the same from PPW, RMFW, and the other organizations I am already a part of. After a year of membership, I let my LUW membership lapse with no plans to renew. I wish LUW and its members all the best with no hard feelings, I simply needed to streamline things a bit.
There are some great professional organizations out there but they may not offer you anything better than what you’ve already got.
Now that my second book is in the world, I decided to join The Authors Guild. They are the primary advocacy organization for authors, providing legal services and insight. They offer a forum to address industry questions and many other benefits. If you’re an author with a growing readership and growing renown, I strongly recommend joining the Guild.
I have also joined the Colorado Independent Publishers Association for many of the same reasons I joined the Guild. CIPA is a business and legal resource (and a community of independently published authors) where I can take my questions and concerns. CIPA also has annual awards for independently published books.
The latest group I have entered into is the family of professionals that runs the Superstars Writing Seminars. While this organization is known mostly for its annual conference, they also provide a regular newsletter and online programs. They also publish open calls for anthologies and connect writers with business professionals. Looking to improve your handle on the business of writing? Check out Superstars.
As you look to grow in your writing career, do your research. Be selective because with each new membership, that’s another bit of your time and energy. Definitely take advantage of great professional organizations that can help your flourish. Avoid the ones looking to take advantage of you.
