JKM Library: Creative Writing: Professional Associations

	: Fall 2024 Hours

Professional Associations

Association of Writers and Writing Programs
AWP provides support, advocacy, resources, and community to nearly 50,000 writers, 500 college and university creative writing programs, and 130 writers’ conferences and centers. Our mission is to foster literary achievement, advance the art of writing as essential to a good education, and serve the makers, teachers, students, and readers of contemporary writing.
Modern Language Association
Founded in 1883, the Modern Language Association of America provides opportunities for its members to share their scholarly findings and teaching experiences with colleagues and to discuss trends in the academy. MLA members host an annual convention and other meetings, work with related organizations, and sustain one of the finest publishing programs in the humanities. For more than a century, members have worked to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature.

Fiction: Professional Associations

Horror Writers Association
The Horror Writers Association (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
The IWWG, founded in 1976, is a network for the personal and professional empowerment of women through writing and open to all regardless of portfolio.
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre.
Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America® (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association whose mission is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy. RWA works to support the efforts of its members to earn a living, to make a full-time career out of writing romance—or a part-time one that generously supplements his/her main income.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
SFWA is a professional organization for authors of science fiction, fantasy and related genres. Esteemed past and present members include Robert Silverberg, Anne McCaffrey, Isaac Asimov, Connie Willis, Ray Bradbury, Gene Wolfe and Andre Norton.
Western Writers of America
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. The founders were largely authors who wrote traditional Western fiction, but the organization swiftly expanded to include historians and other nonfiction authors, young adult and romance writers, and writers interested in regional history.
Women's Fiction Writer's Association
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association is an inclusive organization of writers who create stories about a woman’s emotional journey. We are a volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing a community for career-focused women’s fiction writers via networking, education, and continuing support in career growth.

Poetry: Professional Associations

Academy of American Poets
The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets.
Poetry Society of America
The Poetry Society of America, the nation's oldest poetry organization, was founded in 1910. Its mission is to build a larger and more diverse audience for poetry, to encourage a deeper appreciation of the vitality and breadth of poetry in the cultural conversation, to support poets through an array of programs and awards, and to place poetry at the crossroads of American life.

Nonfiction: Professional Organizations

American Society of Journalists and Authors
ASJA is the professional association of independent nonfiction writers. Since 1948 we've been giving entrepreneurial journalists the confidence and connections to prosper.
Garden Communicators International
GWA is the non-profit association that provides leadership and opportunities for education, recognition, career development and a forum for diverse interactions for professionals in the field of gardening communications.
National Association of Memoir Writers
The National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW) is a membership organization for memoir writers from all over the world.
Society of American Travel Writers
The Society of American Travel Writers’ mission is to promote responsible journalism, provide professional development for its members and encourage the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide.

Children and Young Adult: Professional Organizations

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit , 501 (c)3 organization which is one of the largest existing organizations for writers and illustrators. It is the only professional organization specifically for those individuals writing and illustrating for children and young adults in the fields of children’s literature, magazines, film, television, and multimedia.