Colorado Authors' League

American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) – AMWA encourages and enables its members to extend their professional expertise through national and regional conferences and self-study and onsite workshops. AMWA also gives out annual awards and publishes salary surveys, job listings and the AMWA Journal. For more information, visit http://www.amwa.org/

American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) – Founded in 1948, ASJA is the nation’s leading organization of independent non-fiction writers. Members are published, credentialed non-fiction book and magazine writers. Benefits include newsletter, online forums, lists of editors and agents, and more. For more information, visit www.asja.org

Aspen Writers’ Foundation – The Aspen Writers’ Foundation is one of the country’s foremost promoters of the literary arts and readers and writers. Programs include an annual five-day writing retreat and literary festival, a televised book club, creative writing workshops and camps for kids and teens and a weekly writers group. For more information, visit www.aspenwriters.org

Authors Guild – Authors Guild is the nation’s largest society of published authors and is a leading advocate for fair compensation, free speech and copyright protection. Benefits include publishing news, quarterly bulletin, legal information and services, website hosting and health insurance. For more information, visit www.authorsguild.org

Book Organizations of Colorado – BOOC connects members of the Colorado book community with a monthly newsletter called Book News, which summarizes meetings and events of over 30 member organizations, a list of authors available to speak at events, and an e-mail list for chats and announcements. For more information, visit www.coloradobook.org

Boulder Media Women – BMW is a networking group of professional women, including writers, journalists, editors, photographers, graphic artists and more. Members get together for monthly dinners and for coffee each Friday. BMW also sponsors writing events and an e-mail list. For more information, visit www.bouldermediawomen.com

Boulder Writers Alliance – BWA is an organization of communications professionals in Boulder and throughout Colorado and provides job listings, training programs, resources, networking and marketing opportunities for members. BWA also connects writers with employers through the BWA website. For more information, visit www.bwa.org

Colorado Authors’ League – Incorporated in 1932 to foster the art and craft of authorship, CAL is one of the oldest professional writers’ organizations in the western United States. Today CAL includes more than 250 fiction and non-fiction authors, journalists and poets. For more information, visit http://www.coloradoauthors.org/

Colorado Independent Publishers Association – CIPA is an association of local self-publishing authors. Member benefits include monthly meetings, a monthly newsletter, classes on self-publishing and annual writing book awards. Website provides articles and information on publishing and marketing. For more information, visit www.cipabooks.com

Denver Woman’s Press Club – Founded in 1898, DWPC holds monthly meetings, authors’ receptions and writing seminars for budding and experienced writers. Membership includes journalists, novelists, editors, essayists, poets and other writing professionals. For more information, visit www.denverwomanspressclub.org

The Horror Writers Association, an international and non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage public interest in Horror and Dark Fantasy literature and to encourage the reading of such literature through a wide use of school and public library facilities, was founded in 1985. HWA strives to foster an appreciation of good Horror and Dark Fantasy literature, both for pleasure and information, thus broadening the intellectual and cultural horizons of the general public and the members of the organization. Visit the HWA Website at http://www.horror.org

International Women’s Writing Guild – The IWWG was founded in 1976 and is open to all regardless of portfolio. Benefits include subscription to the bi-monthly Network Journal, a frequently updated list of literary agents, discounts for IWWG-sponsored events and more. For more information, visit www.iwwg.com

Mystery Writers of America – The premier organization for mystery writers, MWA membership is open the public and includes subscription to the monthly newsletter, quarterly bulletins, discussion lists, and access to life, health, dental and vision insurance. For more information, visit www.mysterywriters.org or www.rockymountainmysterywriters.org

National Association of Science Writers – The NASW was incorporated in 1955 with a charter to foster the dissemination of accurate information regarding science through all media normally devoted to informing the public. Benefits include subscription to ScienceWriters, job listings and market information. For more information, visit www.nasw.org

National Writers Association – The Aurora, Colorado-based NWA helps writers find publishing outlets for their work, provides critiquing and editing services, offers health and dental insurance, produces a monthly e-newsletter and a quarterly online magazine and holds an annual conference. For more information, visit www.nationalwriters.com

National Writers Union – With more than 4,000 members in 17 chapters nationwide, the NWU works to advance the economic and working conditions of writers. Member benefits include grievance resolution and contract advice, as well as access to a job hotline, press passes and health insurance. For more information, visit www.nwu.org

Outdoor Writers Association of American – An international organization that represents communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience, OWAA sponsors annual awards and conference and provides jobs and market information and networking opportunities for members. For more information, visit www.owaa.org

PEN American Center – An association of writers working to advance literature, defend free expression, and foster international literary fellowship, PEN produces the PEN America Journal, offers grants and awards, and provides translation resources. For more information visit www.pen.org. For local branch information, visit http://www.americanpenwomen.org/

PMA The Independent Book Publishers Association – PMA is a national trade association that conducts and sponsors seminars, exhibits and events for the independent publishing community. Members gain access to sample contracts, supplier discounts, health and liability insurance, a monthly newsletter and more. For more information, visit www.pma-online.org

Pikes Peaks Writers – Based in Colorado Springs, PPW offers several workshops throughout the year, an annual conference and monthly “Write Brain” sessions, which cover all aspects of writing, though the main focus is commercial fiction. Members receive a subscription to the bi-monthly NewsMagazine. For more information, visit www.ppwc.net

Poets & Writers, Inc. – Poets & Writers is the nation’s largest non-profit literary organization. It sponsors literary events throughout New York and California, as well as in Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and Seattle, maintains a searchable database of over 6,000 writers and publishes Poets & Writers Magazine and a free monthly e-newsletter. For more information, visit www.pw.org

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers – RMFW provides support and education to published and unpublished authors through workshops, critique groups, writing contests and an annual conference. Membership includes news and articles through RMFW’s monthly newsletter. For more information, visit http://www.rmfw.org/

Romance Writers of America – RWA is the professional association for 9,500 published and aspiring romance writers. RWA gives out a variety of awards and hosts a conference each year. Members who have published book-length romance fiction may join the Published Authors’ Network. For more information visit http://www.rwanational.org/

Small Publishes Association of North America – SPAN is a trade association which helps independent publishers increase visibility, sales and profit. Member gain access to a resource directory, a monthly newsletter and quarterly e-zine, annual conference and trade show, supplier discounts, health insurance and more. For more information, visit http://www.spannet.org/

Society of American Travel Writers – SATW works to raise the standards of the profession, guard the right of freedom to travel, and encourage conservation and preservation. The SATW sponsors an annual awards program and an annual travel writing and photography training conference. For more information, visit http://www.satw.org/

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – SCBWI is a professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s books. It publishes newsletters, articles and guides, sponsors awards and grants and holds two conferences and various regional events each year. For more information, visit www.scbwi.org or http://www.rmcscbwi.org/

Society of Professional Journalists (Rocky Mountain Chapter) – SPJ is dedicated to protecting the perpetuation of a free press. Member benefits include subscription to SPJ’s national magazine Quill. SPJ also gives seminars and workshops, holds an annual journalism conference, presents awards, maintains a job bank and offers internships and fellowships. For more information, visit http://www.spj.org/

Women Writing the West – WWW is an association of writers with stories set in the western United States, past and present. It sponsors an annual writing conference, gives awards, publishes a newsletter and a catalog of members’ books and provides networking and marketing opportunities for members. For more information, visit http://www.womenwritingthewest.org/

Websites and e-Newsletters:

Absolute Write – Market listings, industry news, forums, articles, interviews with editors, calls for submissions, classes and a free weekly e-mail newsletter. Also offers a free e-mail newsletter with bi-weekly updates on writer's guidelines and market listings. Premier edition includes more market reports, job listings, articles, interviews with editors and more. http://www.absolutewrite.com/

American Society of Journalists and Authors – Free resources for non-members, including freelance writer salaries and demographics, articles and advice about contracts. ASJA sponsors meetings and events for writers, many of which are open to the public, including the annual spring conference in NYC. http://www.asja.org/

BookZone Pro – Website featuring free access to publishing industry news, informative articles, profiles of publishing professionals, database of book reviewers, calendar of book events, glossary of publishing terms, subscription to the e-newsletter Advance and other publishing resources. http://www.bookzonepro.com/

Freelance Success – Paid subscription includes a weekly newsletter (sample issue available for free) with in-depth market guides that feature markets that pay at least $1 a word, industry news and articles. Website features bulletin boards, e-mail address formats for editors, a subscriber database available to editors, website hosting and more. http://www.freelancesuccess.com/.

MediaBistro.com – Media news, bulletin boards, classes and seminars, articles, interviews and free daily media news feeds. AvantGuild membership includes articles on how-to-pitch specific editors, a free personal home page, preferred-rate health insurance and more. Free e-newsletter on media news, forums and market information. http://www.mediabistro.com/

Publishers Lunch – Free daily e-mail roundup of deals and news of the book publishing world. Premium service includes daily e-mail reports, access to a searchable database of authors and agents and a searchable deal database with thousands of transactions, the ability to create your own web page and other features. http://www.publisherslunch.com/

Poynter Online – Sponsored by The Poynter Institute, a school for journalists, future journalists and teachers of journalists, Poynter Online is a free website that contains journalism and publishing news, upcoming classes and seminar information, advice on writing, publishing, ethics and more. http://www.poynter.org/

Wooden Horse Publishing - Magazine news and resources for freelance writers, including a free weekly e-mail newsletter with market reports and industry news. Subscription gives you access to a database of over 2,000 consumer and trade print publications with contact and publishing information, editorial calendars, writer's guidelines and more. http://www.woodenhorsepub.com/

WritersDigest.com – Information from selected Writer's Digest articles and special interest publications, searchable database with partial writer's guidelines, details on contests and conferences and forums. Free weekly e-mail newsletter. WritersMarket.com is a searchable database of more than 5,000 paying markets. http://www.writersdigest.com/

WritersWeekly.com – Free weekly e-zine with market listings, freelance jobs, feature articles, ask the expert and success stories. Also lists interview requests from writers looking for sources for articles and books. Website offers classes, a searchable database of paying markets, feature articles, forums for writers, e-books and other resources. http://www.writersweekly.com/

Writing Classes, Seminars and Conferences

American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) – This national organization for independent non-fiction writers hosts regular events for members and a three-day conference in New York City each spring that is open to non-members and includes panels, workshops, mentoring and personal pitch sessions with agents and editors. Tapes and CDs of individual sessions can be purchased on the website. For more information, visit http://www.asja.org/

Aspen Writers’ Foundation – For 30 years, the Aspen Writers’ Foundation has been hosting a five-day summer writing retreat and literary festival. The organization also sponsors weeklong creative writing workshops in spectacular locations around the globe, creative writing camps for kids and teens and a weekly writers group where writers of all levels and genres assemble to read, critique and polish their work. For more information, visit http://www.aspenwriters.org/

Chicago Writers & Editors / One on One – Annual three-day conference where editors from top national magazines give presentations about their editorial focus and freelance needs. There are also panels given by successful freelancers. Writers have an opportunity to meet with editors to discuss their ideas and get immediate feedback. Conference is limited to 60 writers. For more information visit http://www.magazinewriters.com/

Colorado Authors’ League (CAL) – Each year CAL sponsors a one-day workshop to help fiction and non-fiction writers hone their writing and selling skills. CAL hosts a members’ luncheon with an informative speaker ten times each year and an annual banquet in May. For more information visit www.coloradoauthors.org

Lighthouse Writers Workshop – An independent creative writing school in Denver, Colorado, founded and operated by working writers and university-level teachers of writing. Lighthouse offers graduate-level instruction, as well as online workshops and retreats on fiction, poetry, non-fiction, screenwriting and more. Lighthouse also sponsors community events and programs, including a youth writing workshop. For more information, visit http://www.lighthousewriters.org/

Pikes Peak Writers Conference (PPW) – This organization sponsors an annual three-day conference, which is held in Colorado Springs and is open to members and non-members. The conference offers panels and workshops given by a line-up of successful writers, editors and agents on nearly all aspects of writing, including mystery, romance, creative non-fiction, screenplays, historical fiction and more. For more information, visit http://www.ppwc.net/

Note: Many of the associations, organizations and websites listed in the previous sections also offer conferences, workshops, seminars and e-classes on a variety of topics, such as fiction writing, magazine writing and managing your writing career. We have made every attempt to be sure that these websites listed above are correct. If you are unable to find an association or organization using the address indicated, please type the name of the association or organization into your favorite search engine. A link to the website should appear in the results list.

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