An organization to add to yesterday's Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category (thanks to Alan Orloff) is International Thriller Writers. Members are able to add profiles, photos, website urls, and other information to The Big Thrill website. I'm not currently a member of ITW, but have been thinking about joining (especially since my current project is more thriller than mystery).
I also neglected to mention the many regional and local chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Here, for instance, is Sisters in Crime Chicago. Although SinC does not sponsor blatant self-promotion on their websites, they do announce author news and appearances, and many post author bios for their members.
To hop away from the mystery world now, general writing organizations (not genre-specific) often provide multiple ways for an author to "get the word out." Northern Colorado Writers includes all genres of writers, as well as editors, publicists, journalists, etc. The NCW website displays a short bio, as well as an expanded member profile. This organization sponsors a writers' conference in the spring, which is where I gave my "Let's Write a Mystery" workshop.
Colorado has more. In the Denver area (but including members from all over Colorado and nearby states) Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers offers special programs, an excellent newsletter, and September's Colorado Gold conference and its associated writing contest. The Friday night book room event gives all attending authors a chance to chat about, sell, and sign their books. On the RMFW website, authors may add information to the Published Authors section and to the Member News page.
Pikes Peak Writers is centered in the Colorado Springs area. Although I'm not a member and can't speak to all of its advantages, it's another good example of an organization that sponsors a highly-recommended annual conference (and writing contest) and offers its members ways to promote their works.
There are writers' organizations of this type in most states (even others in Colorado I haven't mentioned). Why would you want join one of these groups? I think they're important for networking and making new friends; finding conferences, workshops, programs, and critique groups close to home; and enjoying the promotional options given members in newsletters and on websites.
Do you have an excellent writers' organization in your state that you'd care to recommend?
9 comments:
I'll definitely recommend Sisters in Crime (even for the boys out there...it's not strictly for women), and--for North Carolinians--the North Carolina Writers Network.
I belong to a promotional group for authors in the Carolinas--the Carolina Conspiracy. We do writers workshops, signings and panels together: http://www.carolinaconspiracy.com
Thanks for all the info, Patricia!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Patricia, this post is one of many you’ve done with terrific sites to visit. Not to give you more to do, but, is it possible to make a Links Page on your blog, to capture all the info you’ve turned up? I know there’s such a page on your website, as an alternative, maybe post them there? Although I’ve tried to collect all this information, I’m sure I’ve missed some, and my Favorites Links are as long as the Amazon and has a structure akin to a tangled spider web. I’m sure the rest of Authordom would like it. Please note I excel at finding work for others.
Best regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Elzabeth -- There are some very interesting groups out there -- although I don't know all their activities, I do know the Minnesota Crime Wave has a website and I think they've published at least one anthology. Opportunities abound if we just search them out.
Galen -- I was already thinking these lists would be good for both blog and website. I'm sadly behind in updating links and should probably make that my next "fun" project. If the job ever gets done, I'll give you a heads-up.
Boise's chapter of SINC is Partners in Crime and it's a great help for authors. Also, would like to mention I have just finished reading your novel - The Desert Hedge Murders - and highly recommend it. Nice job, Patricia!
Hi Pat! Great post (as usual). BTW, I'm a member of International Thriller Writers, and highly recommend it - I was encouraged to join ITW by Jordan Dane . . . anything good enough for Jordan is good enough for me!
Drue
I'd like to give a shout out to The Writer's Center in Bethesda, MD. They give workshops, hold readings, and put on a lot of other programs for writers of all ages and all genres. It's quite a nice writer community.
I belong to the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, which lends their support to a lot of local events and helps get the word out for various signings and readings.
Here in Georgia we have a few, but the two biggest are probably the Georgia Writers' Association and the Atlanta Writers' Club.
Tony Burton
Atlanta Writing Examiner
http://bit.ly/Atl-Writing
I don't belong to any of them. Probably should - lots of writers swear by them. Nicely loaded up with links post on this subject, Patricia. :)
The Old Silly
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