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[misc.writing] Writing FAQ (modified 07/2000), part 2/2


[ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index | Cities ]
Archive-name: writing/faq/organization-list
Posting-frequency: monthly =20
Last-modified: 7.00
URL: http://www.scalar.com/mw/

See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
This is Part 2 of the misc.writing Writing FAQ.  It lists
organizations and sources for writers. Part 1 covers=20
manuscript preparation, submission, and other basics of writing.


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ye Olde Disclaimer
--------------------------------------------------------------------


This article is provided as is without any express or implied warranties.=20
While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained in this article at the time at which it was written, the=
 maintainer
and contributors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for
damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The use=
 of
both American and British English spellings in this FAQ is a result of the
multiplicity of its authors.

Modifications--07/2000: update to listings for Canadian writers'=
 organizations

----------------------------------------------------------------
Questions answered in this FAQ:
----------------------------------------------------------------


10.0  What professional groups are useful for writers?


10.1     Australia
        10.1.1  Australia Council=20
        10.1.2  Writers' Centres
        10.1.3  Australian Booksellers Association
        10.1.4  Australian Society of Authors
        10.1.5  Australian Publishers Association


10.2 Canada


        10.2.1  Canadian Authors Association
        10.2.2  The Writers Union of Canada
        10.2.3  Union des =C9crivaines et =C9crivains Qu=E9b=E9cois =
 (U.N.E.Q.)
        10.2.4  Periodical Writers Association of Canada
        10.2.5  League of Canadian Poets
        10.2.6  Canadian Society of Children's Authors,
                   Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP)
        10.2.7  Writers Guild of Canada
        10.2.8  Crime Writers of Canada
        10.2.9  Playwrights Union of Canada
        10.2.10 SF Canada
        10.2.11 Editors' Association of Canada


10.3    Great Britain
        10.3.1  The Writer's Guild of Great Britain
        10.3.2  The Authors' LIcensing and Collecting Society
        10.3.3  The Society of Authors
        10.3.4  The Poetry Society


10.3.5  Scotland (from the Writer's Guild of
                 Great Britain WWW site)
        10.3.5.1        Scottish Arts Council
        10.3.5.2        Scottish Poetry Library
        10.3.5.3        Scottish Film Production Fund
        10.3.5.4        Scottish Society of Playwrights
        10.3.5.5        Scottish Screen Writers Group
        10.3.5.6  Byre Writers


10.4    New Zealand Society of Authors


10.5   United States of America=20
        10.5.1  American PEN
        10.5.2  National Writer's Union =20
        10.5.3  The Authors Guild
        10.5.4  Writers Guild of America
        10.5.5  SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and=20
                         Illustrators)
        10.5.6  North Carolina Writers' Network
        10.5.7  Mystery Writers of America
        10.5.8  Romance Writers of America
        10.5.9  Horror Writer Association
        10.5.10 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of
                         America, Inc.
        10.5.11 Society for Technical Communication=20


11.0  Are there any on-line groups?
        11.1    Usenet newsgroup: misc.writing
        11.1.1  The misc.writing home page at
http://www.scalar.com/mw/
        11.2    Usenet newsgroup:  alt.writing
        11.3    Usenet newsgroup: misc.writing.screenplays
        11.4    Listserv:  The Fiction Writers Workshop
        11.5    Listserv:  Writer's Workshop
        11.6    Listserv: DOROTHY-L, for mystery fans and writers=20
        11.7    Listserv:  TECHWR-L, for technical writers
        11.8    WWW Page:Critters Writers' Workshop
        11.9    WWW Page: Miholer's Screenwriting Resources
        11.10    WWW Page:  For The Love of It
        11.11   WORDPLAY: Professional Secrets for Screenwriters
        11.12   Bix, Compuserve, AOL, the WELL, GEnie
--------------------------------------------------------------------

10.0  What professional groups are useful for writers?

        That depends on the writer's goals, needs, and desires. Some obtain
much benefit and support from writers' organizations; others prefer to go it
alone.  The organizations listed below were suggested or recommended by the
denizens of misc.writing.    ----------------------------------------------

10.1     Australia
=20
10.1.1  Australia Council=20
           Street Address:                  Postal Address:
            181 Lawson St                 PO Box 788
             Redfern                        Stawberry Hills
                Sydney=20
               New South Wales         New South Wales
                Australia                     Australia 2012
=20
Australia's national arts body; covers grants, cultural exchange, advisory=
 role
to Federal Government, promotion of Australian Arts and Artists overseas and
general promotion of the arts.=20
------------------------------
 =20
10.1.2   Writers' Centres

These are community centres that provide advice and services to writers. The
type of services varies from state to state though most include a=
 newsletter,
courses in writing, advice with writing and some advocacy services on behalf=
 of
writers to State and Federal governments.
=20
ACT Writers' Centre:
PO Box 23
Griffith=20
Australian Capitol Territory 2603
 Phone (06) 239 5251
=20
NSW WRITERS' CENTRE: =20
  PO Box 1056
Rozelle NSW 2039
Phone: (02) 9555 9757
Fax:   (02) 9818 1327
 Email: nswwc@ozemail.com.au

Northern Territory Literature Officer:
 c/o NT Community Writing Program
 GPO Box 2255
 Darwin NT 0801
 Phone: (08) 8941 2651
 Fax:   (08) 8941 2651

Queensland Writers' Centre:=20
  535 Wickham Terrace
 Spring Hill QLD 4000
 Phone:  (07) 3839 1243
 Fax:    (07) 3839 1245
 Email: qldwriters@peg.apc.org
  WWW: http://www.qwc.asn.au

South Australian Writers' Centre:  =20
    PO Box 43
Rundle Mall SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8223 7662
  Fax: (08) 8232 3994
Email: writers@eastend.com.au

Victorian Writers Centre:  =20
 1st Floor 144-156 George Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
  Phone:    (03) 941 1077
 Fax:      (03) 9415 1080
Email: writers@vicnet.net.au
 WWW: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~writers/index.htm

Western Australian (WA) Literature Officer:
 c/o Fremantle Arts Centre
 Fremantle WA 6160
 Phone: (08) 9335 8244
 Fax:      (08) 9430 6613
----------------------------------

10.1.3  Australian Booksellers Association
Suite 4, 21 Drummond Place
Carlton VIC 3053
Phone:    (03) 9663 7888
Fax:      (03) 9663 7557

Has list of independent booksellers, bookshops and major book chains in
Australia.
---------------------------------

10.1.4  Australian Society of Authors
PO Box 1566
Stawberry Hills NSW 2012
Phone:    (02) 9318 0877
Fax:      (02) 9318 0530
Email:    asauthors@peg.pegasus.oz.au
 WWW:     http://www.peg.apc.org/~asauthors/
----------------------------------
=20
10.1.5  Australian Publishers Association
Suite 60, Level 3
89 Jones Street
 Ultimo NSW 2007
 Phone:    (02) 9281 9788
 Fax:      (02) 9281 1073
 Email:    apa@magna.com.au
WWW:     http://publishers.asn.au/
=20
 Site include a list of publishers in Australia
---------------------------------=20

10.2 Canada=20

10.2.1 Canadian Authors Association
Box 419
Campbellford, Ontario K0L 1L0
Phone: (705)653-0323
Fax: (705)653-0593
Email: canauth@redden.on.ca
WWW: http://www.CanAuthors.org/national.html=20

Since 1921, the CAA has been Canada's national writing association,=
 providing
support to beginning and established writers alike.
---------------------------

10.2.2 The Writers Union of Canada
 National Office:
 24 Ryerson Avenue
 Toronto, Ontario M5T 2P3
 Phone: (416) 703-8982
 Fax: (416) 703-0826
 Email: twuc@the-wire.com

 Pacific Office:
 3102 Main Street, 3rd Floor
 Vancouver, B.C. V4A 3C7
 Phone/Fax: (604) 874-1611
 WWW: http://www.writersunion.ca/=20

Founded in 1973, The Writers' Union of Canada is a national
organization of professional writers of books for the general public.
---------------------------------

10.2.3 Union des =C9crivaines et =C9crivains Qu=E9b=E9cois (U.N.E.Q.)

3492, avenue Laval
Montr=E9al, P.Q. H2X 3C8
Phone: (514) 849-8540 or (800) 717-2022
Fax: (514) 849-6239
Email: ecrivez@uneq.qc.ca
WWW: http://www.uneq.qc.ca=20
------------------------------------------

10.2.4 Periodical Writers Association of Canada
54 Wolseley Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1A5
Phone: (416) 504-1645
Fax: (416) 504-8980
Email: pwac@web.net
WWW: http://www.pwac.ca/=20

The Periodical Writers Association of Canada is a non-profit
organization founded in 1976. The PWAC mandate is to protect and promote the
craft and livelihood of independent periodical writers.
----------------------------------

10.2.5 League of Canadian Poets
54 Wolseley Street, Suite 204
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1A5
Phone: (416) 504-1657
Fax: (416) 504-0096
Email: league@ican.net
WWW: http://www.poets.ca/=20

The League of Canadian Poets, founded in 1966, is a non-profit association=
 of
professional publishing and performing poets in Canada. Its purpose is to
enhance the status of poets and nurture a professional poetic community.
-----------------------------------

10.2.6 Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers
(CANSCAIP)
35 Spadina Road
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2S9
Phone: (416) 515-1559
Fax: (416) 515-7022
Email: office@canscaip.org
WWW: http://www.canscaip.org/=20

CANSCAIP members are professionals in the field of children's culture in=
 three
areas: writing, illustrating or performing. The aim of the Society is to
promote the growth of children's literature in Canada and encourage the
development of new writers, illustrators, and performers.
-----------------------------------------
=20
10.2.7 Writers Guild of Canada
123 Edward Street, Suite 1225
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E2
Phone: (416) 979-7907 or (800) 567-9974
Fax: (416) 979-9273
Email: info@writersguildofcanada.com
WWW: http://www.writersguildofcanada.com/

The Writers Guild is an organization of freelance writers working in film,
television and radio production in Canada. The WGC negotiates, administers=
 and
enforces collective agreements that set out minimum rates, terms and=
 conditions
of work in the Guild's jurisdiction.
----------------------------------------------

10.2.8 Crime Writers of Canada
c/o Secretary/Treasurer
3007 Kingston Road, Box 113
Toronto, Ontario M1M 1P1
Email: ap113@freenet.toronto.on.ca
WWW: http://www.crimewriterscanada.com/=20

The CWC is the national association for professional practitioners of the=
 crime
writing genre in Canada. It provides a forum for the views of its members=
 and
promotes the publishing and sale of works created, edited, and published by=
 its
members.
-------------------------------------------

10.2.9 Playwrights Union of Canada
54 Wolseley Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1A5
Phone: (416) 703-0201
Fax: (416) 703-0059
Email: info@puc.ca
WWW: http://www.puc.ca/

PUC is the national, non-profit association of professional
playwrights. It represents approximately 335 members, distributes more than
1,500 Canadian plays, and publishes 6-7 trade paperbacks annually.
----------------------------------------------
=20
10.2.10 SF Canada
c/o Wordworks
11759 Groat Road, 2nd Floor,=20
Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6
WWW: http://www.sfcanada.ca/=20

SF Canada aims to provide a structure for socializing and maintaining links
among members throughout Canada, from coast to coast to coast, in both=
 official
languages, and to promote the publishing and sale of works created, edited,=
 and
published by its members.
--------------------------------------------------

10.2.11 Editors' Association of Canada
National Office:
502 =AD 27 Carlton Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1L29
Phone: (416) 975-1379
Fax: (416) 975-1637
Email: info@editors.ca
WWW: http://www.editors.ca/=20

Established in 1979, the EAC is a national body of both English- and
French-language editors, with more than 800 members from coast to coast and=
 5
regional offices. EAC's members work in many forms of print (books, =
 magazines,
newsletters, corporate communications, and government reports, to name just=
 a
few) as well as various other media.
------------------------------------------------

10.3            Great Britain

10.3.1  The Writer's Guild of Great Britain
 430 Edgware Road
 London W2 1EH
 Phone: 0171 723-8074
 Fax: 0171 706-2413
 Email: postie@wggb.demon.co.uk
WWW: http://www.writers.org.uk/guild/

[from the WGGB Web site:]
        The Writers' Guild of Great Britain was established in 1958; its
mission, then as now, was to ensure that writers of all media are properly
represented. For nearly half a century we have been ensuring that writers=
 are
properly paid and accredited. The nature of the media industry may have=
 changed
but our central philosophy
has remained the same.=20
        Writing is by nature a solitary business--but membership of the
Writers' Guild of Great Britain means that writers need not be isolated.
Together, writers form the strong organisation needed to get a fair deal in
today's increasingly competitive and ruthless market. More than this, we=
 offer
a way in which writers can become part of a community, the chance to swap
stories about unscrupulous producers and meet people you admire.
----------------------------------------

10.3.2  The Authors' LIcensing and Collecting Society
Marlborough Court, 14-18 Holborn
London EC1N 2LE
Phone: +44 (0)171 395 0600
Fax: +44 (0)171 395 0660
Email: webinfo@alcs.co.uk
WWW: http://www.alcs.co.uk/

[from the ALCS WWW site:]
        The ALCS is a collecting society for writers in all genres: writers=
 who
can be rewarded for the re-use of their work by photocopying, off-air=
 recording
and electronic means. . . [It] was founded in 1977 to enable writers to=
 receive
fees that are  uniquely or more effectively handled collectively. Today it
represents  more than 35,000 members and associates, and collects and
distributes fees to many more individual writers in Britain.=20
--------------------------------------------------

10.3.3  The Society of Authors
84 Drayton Gardens
London SW10 9SB=20
Phone: 0171-373-6642
Fax: 0171-373-5768=20
Email: authorsoc@writers.org.uk=20
WWW: http://www.writers.org.uk/society/

[from the Society of Authors Web site:]
        Since its foundation in 1884, the Society of Authors has been the=
 major
British association for writers of fiction and non-fiction. Its particular
strength is in the area of book writing, but membership is open to all=
 authors,
illustrators, playwrights, and radio and television scriptwriters. . . .Its
full-time staff advises members in all aspects of writing, including the
detailed vetting of contracts. It conducts negotiations for collective
minimum-term agreements with publishers in association with the Writers'=
 Guild,
and offers legal help (including litigation when an issue of general concern=
 to
authors is at stake). It maintains a watching brief on all matters relating=
 to
copyright, which is becoming increasingly important in this electronic age.=
 It
runs a number of social and informative events for members, and administers=
 a
number of literary awards.=20
----------------------------------------------

10.3.4  The Poetry Society
Freepost LON5410
London WC2H 9BR=20
Email: poetrysoc@dial.pipex.com
WWW: http://www.poetrysoc.com/

The Poetry Society exists to help poets and poetry thrive in Britain today.=
 It
is a registered charity and has been in existence since 1909.  The Arts=
 Council
of England, grants  from trusts and sponsors, and sales of membership and
publications support it. Members include poets, teachers, librarians, and=
 all
kinds of readers of contemporary poetry.=20
------------------------------------------------

10.3.5  Scotland  (from the Writer's Guild of Great Britain WWW site)

10.3.5.1        Scottish Arts Council
12 Manor Place
Edinburgh EH3 7DD
Phone: 0131-226 6051.

As well as giving awards for various purposes, the SAC publishes a Writers'
Register (for writers of fiction and poetry)=20
----------------------------------------

10.3.5.2        Scottish Poetry Library
Tweeddale Court, 14 High Street
Edinburgh
Phone: 0131 557 2876
----------------------------------------

10.3.5.3        Scottish Film Production Fund
74 Victoria Crescent Road
Glasgow G12 9JN
---------------------------------------

10.3.5.4        Scottish Society of Playwrights
contact Viv Adam 2nd floor, 15 Dundrennan Road
Glasgow G42
Phone:  0141-649 6564

For playwrights who have had work produced professionally; planningo set up
Writers' Register for dramatists
--------------------------------------------
=20
10.3.5.5        Scottish Screen Writers Group
Glasgow Film & Video Workshop
3rd Floor 34 Albion Street
Glasgow G1  1LH
Phone: 0141-553 2620
---------------------------------------

10.3.5.6        Byre Writers
Contact Elsie Lindday
150 North Street
 St. Andrews, Fife=20
Phone:  01334-476 948

A self-help group for playwrights.
-------------------------------------------------

10.4            New Zealand Society of Authors
(PEN NZ Inc)
P.O. Box 67013
Mt Eden  Auckland
New Zealand
------------------------

10.5   United States of America=20

10.5.1  American PEN:
PEN American Center               PEN Center USA West
568 Broadway                              672 S. Lafayette Park Pl
Suite 41
New York, NY  10012-3224          Los Angeles, CA  90057
phone: (212) 334-1660             Phone: (213) 365-8500
Fax: (212) 334-2181               Fax: (213) 365-9616

Professional writers' organization concerned with freedom of
expression issues.  Membership requires one published book or equivalent in
shorter works.
------------------------------

10.5.2  National Writer's Union =20
13 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003  USA
Phone: (212) 254-0279
WWW: http://www.nwu.org/nwu

This group provides to its members contract consultation services,ealth
insurance plans, and grievance resolution services, among other benefits. =
 The
NWU is affiliated with the United Auto Workers Union (and thus the AFL-CIO).=
=20
According to a previous FAQ maintainer, they appear to be a cross between a
real labour union and a writer's advocacy group.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.5.3  The Authors Guild
330 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036-6902 USA=20
Phone: (212) 563-5904
Email:  authors@pipeline.com, authorsusa@aol.com,=20
R.Miller41@genie.geis.com

(from their web site):
The Authors Guild is the USA's oldest professional society of published
authors, with over 6,600 members in many different genres. Our staff of
attorneys and legal interns review our members' publishing and agency
contracts, intervene in publishing disputes and hold many seminars and=
 symposia
on issues of importance to writers. Recent topics include editing, contract
negotiation, and multimedia and electronic publishing rights.  The Guild=
 also
produces a quarterly Bulletin full of the latest publishing, copyright, tax,
legal and legislative news and advice.

Membership is open to writers who have had a book published within the last
seven years, or three works published by general circulation magazines=
 within
the past 18 months. First-year dues are $90.
----------------------------------------------------------------

10.5.4  Writers Guild of America

Writers Guild of America, West
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323.951-4000  for general information
website: www.wga.org

Writers Guild of America, East
555 West 57th Street
New York, NY  10019

This is a professional writer's union.  Membership in the Writers' Guild of
America is limited to individuals who have made sales totaling 12 points on
their arcane scale (story or screenplay for a feature film is 12 pts. each,
story or script for a sitcom is 6 pts, etc. ad nauseam).  The sales must=
 have
gone to WGA-signatory production entities; the writer cannot have been=
 involved
in the company in a hiring capacity.  (This is to prevent a writer from=
 joining
the guild by paying for a vanity production.)

There is a "signatory" status for agents representing writers for the WGA.=
 Any
guild-signatory agency is prohibited from charging a reading fee.  WGA will
provide information on "scale" to anyone. The West branch has the script
depository which can be used (for a fee) by nonmembers.  The East branch=
 sells
the "Professional Writer's Teleplay/Screenplay Format Guide" (last price=
 quoted
was $4.55 via money order, which includes postage)
(editoral comments by a former Keeper of the FAQ)
----------------------------------

10.5.5  SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
345 North Maple Drive, Suite 296
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 USA=20
Phone: 310-859-9887
WWW: http://www.scbwi.org/

[from the SCBWI Web site:]
The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between Writers,
illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators,=
 booksellers
and others involved with literature for young people. There are currently=
 more
than 10,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regions, making it the largest
children's writing organization in the  world.  The SCBWI sponsors an annual
National Conference on writing and illustrating books and multimedia as well=
 as
dozens of regional conferences and events throughout the world. It also
publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, awards grants for works in progress, and
provides many informational publications on the art and business of writing=
 and
selling written, illustrated and electronic material. The SCBWI also=
 presents
the annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and non-fiction books.=20
--------------------------------

10.5.6  North Carolina Writers' Network
P. O. Box 954
Carrboro, N.C. 27510=20
e-mail: nc_writers@unc.edu

NCWN sponsors all kinds of workshops (fiction, poetry, technical writing,=
 etc.)
throughout the state including the remote/rural areas, It also sponsors=
 (very
legitimate) contests and other activities, and publishes a bi-monthly
newsletter with a "Submit It!" section containing market information, much=
 of
it not found in the Writer's or Poet's Market directories.  Its annual
conference is in November.  The NCWN publishes an annual directory that=
 lists
the small presses and litmags in N.C. and the addresses of writers willing=
 to
answer questions on specific topics.
-------------------------------------

10.5.7  Mystery Writers of America
236 W. 27th St.
New York, NY 10001  USA
Phone: (212) 255-7005
WWW: http://www.bookwire.com/mwa/

[from the MWA Web Site:]
Mystery Writers of America, Inc. was established in  1945 by a dozen or so
like-minded mystery writers for the purpose of promoting and protecting the
interests and welfare of mystery writers and to increase the esteem and
literary recognition given to the genre.
---------------------------------

10.5.8  Romance Writers of America
13700 Veterans Memorial Drive Suite 315
 Houston, TX 77014  USA
Phone:  (713) 440-6885
Fax: (713) 440-7510
WWW: http://www.rwanational.com/
=20
(from the RWA Web site:]
The mission of the RWA is:  (a) to promote excellence in romantic fiction,=
 (b)
to help writers become published and establish careers in their writing=
 field,
(c) to provide continuing support for writers within the romance publishing
industry, (d) to promote mutual support among members,
(e) to promote and advocate an "author-friendly" environment in the=
 publishing
industry, (f) to be a strong voice within the romance publishing,=
 wholesaling,
and retailing industries, (g) to strive to maintain and increase the market
share of romance fiction.=20

General Membership open to "established romance authors and writers=
 interested
in pursuing a career in romance writing." Associate Membership open to
"booksellers, editors, agents, and other industry professionals."
-------------------------------

10.5.9  Horror Writer Association
WWW: http://www.horror.org/

[from the HWA Web site:]
The HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (HWA) was formed in the 1980s to bring=
 together
writers and others professionally interested in horror and dark  fantasy,=
 and
to foster a greater appreciation of dark fiction among the  general public. =
=20

To this end, among other benefits, the organization issues a regular
newsletter, presents the Bram Stoker Awards, and provides members with the
latest news on paying markets. We have sponsored a series of successful
members-only anthologies. Members also gain access to the private HWA areas=
 on
various online services, including Genie's Science  Fiction Roundtables,
Compuserve's SFLitForum 2, SFF-Net, and Dueling  Modems, and can, if they
choose, receive informational bulletins by  e-mail.=20
----------------------------------------------------------------

10.5.10 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.
SFWA
PO Box 171
Unity, ME 04988
email to:  execdir@sfwa.org
website:http:// www.sfwa.org

[From the By-Laws at their Web site:]
The purpose of the [Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.]=
 shall
be to promote the furtherance of  the writing of science fiction, fantasy,=
 and
related genres as a profession--in so doing, its activities shall include,=
 but
not be limited to, informing science fiction and fantasy writers on
professional matters, protecting their interests, and helping them deal
effectively with agents, editors, anthologists, and producers in non-print
media; encouraging public interest in and appreciation for science fiction
and fantasy literature; sponsoring, editing, and disseminating writings,
papers, books, pamphlets, and other publications which exemplify science
fiction and fantasy literature of high quality; conducting conferences,=
 public
discussion groups, forums, lectures, and seminar programs; and furnishing=
 any
service or performing any kind of work connected with this stated purpose.
----------------------------------------------------------------=20

10.5.11 Society for Technical Communication=20
901 N Stuart St., Ste. 904
Arlington, VA 22203-1854
Phone: (703) 522-4114
Fax: (703) 522-2075=20
WWW: http://www.stc-va.org/

[from the STC Web site:]
The mission of the Society for Technical Communication is to improve the
quality and effectiveness of technical communication for audiences=
 worldwide.=20

STC is an individual membership organization dedicated to advancing the =
 arts
and sciences of technical communication -- it is the largest organization of
its type in the world. Its 20,000 members include technical writers,=
 editors,
graphic designers, videographers, multimedia artists, and others whose work
involves making technical information available to those who need it.=
 Through
the efforts of a small, full-time staff and a large network of volunteers,=
 STC
promotes the public welfare by educating its members and industry about=
 issues
concerning technical communication.=20
----------------------------------------

11.0  Are there any on-line groups?

        You bet--hundreds if not thousands of newsgroups, mailing listservs,
Web pages--'way too many to track in an infrequently revamped FAQ.  A few of
particular interest are listed below; via them, one can find many other
resources.

11.1     Usenet newsgroup: misc.writing
        misc.writing is a huge discussion devoted to "writing and topics of
interest to writers."  Amidst the
chatter, running jokes, and other oddities are threads on
publishing, writing, characterizations, how writers cope with the various
adversities that face writers, and other pertinent information.  It is not
chartered for the posting of written work for publication, comment, or
critique.

        misc.writing has a high noise-to-signal ratio but its denizens like=
 it
that way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

11.1.1  The misc.writing home page at http://www.scalar.com/mw/

        This home page has a current copy of this FAQ and much information=
 on
writing, including links to resources, some maintained by the denizens of
misc.writing, others independent of the newsgroup.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

11.2  Usenet newsgroup:  alt.writing
        This newsgroup that is much smaller and more focused than=
 misc.writing,
alt.writing concentrates on critiques and the "nuts & bolts" of writing=
 instead
of chatter and off-topic discussions.  Since it is in the "alt." hierarchy=
 of
Usenet, it can be a bit "rough and tumble" in nature; also, not all newsfeed
have this newsgroup. A request to your Internet Service Provider usually=
 will
prompt the addition of this newsgroup.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

11.3  Usenet newsgroup:  misc.writing.screenplays
        A Usenet newsgroup devoted to screenwriting and discussions of the=
 film
and TV business from a writer's POV.
------------------------------------------------------------------

11.4  Listserv:  The Fiction Writers Workshop
        An electronic writers' workshop is being run as a listserv list=
 called
the Fiction Writers Workshop and based at Penn State University, with=
 separate
lists for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and novels.  The list owner is Rheal
Nadeau.  Information about the list is obtained by sending the message:=20

      SUBSCRIBE FICTION <yourfirstname> <yourlastname>

to listserv@psuvm.psu.edu
----------------------------------------------------------------

11.5  Listserv:  Writer's Workshop

        Topics: "Although started for discussion of writing,
submissions, critiques, various mind-joggers, and exercises
also are passed among the participants.  All postings are
archived and available to participants."

        Subscription: The workshop is self-serve: send email to
<listserv@vm1.nodak.edu> (or <listserv@ndsuvm1.bitnet>) with the message:

        SUBSCRIBE WRITERS <yourfirstname> <yourlastname>
----------------------------------

11.6  Listserv: DOROTHY-L, for mystery fans and writers=20

Access is either through the newsgroup         bit.listserv.dorothyl

or via e-mail; to subscribe, send the message
        sub DOROTHYL [your name]
to listserv@listserv.kent.edu

or check http://marsquadra.tamu.edu/staff_pages/dorothyl.html=20
For DOROTHY-L New Subscriber information
----------------------------------------------------------------

11.7 Listserv:  TECHWR-L, for technical writers
        Technical writing -- or, more broadly, "technical
communication" -- as one of the specialized branches of the
writing profession, has its own mailing list, which is carried on some=
 systems
as the newsgroup
 bit.listserv.techwr-l

        If that newsgroup does not exist at your site, you can subscribe by
sending a message to

 LISTSERV@VM1.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU

         Leave the subject line *blank*, and include on the first line of=
 the
message:

     SUB TECHWR-L your_first_name your_last_name

For example:

        SUB TECHWR-L Kate Vincent
The list is unmoderated and is available in either digest or
mail form.  [This information is taken from the longer
"Information from TECHWR-L Listowner" posted periodically to
the list by owner Eric Ray (ejray@okway.okstate.edu).]
--------------------------------------------------------------

11.8  Critters Writers' Workshop
http://www.critters.org
 From the Critters Web Page:
"Critters is an on-line workshop/critique group for serious writers of=
 Science
Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. The ultimate goal of Critters is to help=
 writers
improve, not only by having their work dissected by other members, but also=
 by
learning to dissect their own work (by, of course, dissecting others). The
value of the latter is often overlooked by beginning writers.=20

"It works something like this: Suppose you submit a short story or chapters=
 of
a novel . . . You email your manuscript (in the proper format), it gets put
into a queue of stories; in about a month, when it bubbles to the top of the
queue, it (and a batch of others) are emailed around to the members (or they
can get them off the web page). Critiques are due within a week. Most pieces
get 15-20 critiques." =20

Critters has over 1,000 members and has been around for more
than four years.=20
----------------------------------

11.9  WWW Page:  Miholer's Screenwriting Resources

http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~miholer/=20

Among other useful info and links, this Web page contains
The Screenwriters' Internetwork, which helps screenwriters find and create
small, on-line groups for peer evaluation,       instruction, and
encouragement.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

11.10    WWW Page:  For The Love of It
 http://www.ForTheLoveOfIt.com

A Web page with an international volunteer panel of film
and tv pros who answer questions and offer advice on production,=
 screenwriting,
and other facets of the industry.=20
---------------------------------------------------------------

11.11  WORDPLAY: Professional Secrets for Screenwriters
<http://www.wordplayer.com>

A collection of screenwriting information, geared toward the
beginning writer. Upon completion, 52 essays covering all  facets of
screenwriting, written by working screenwriter Terry Rossio. A full course=
 in
writing screenplays, covering both business and creative issues. Guest=
 columns
from industry professionals, with practical advice and real-world=
 perspectives,
written by people doing the jobs today.
---------------------------------------------------------------

11.12  Bix, Compuserve, AOL, the WELL, GEnie

The BIX system has several active writers' groups.
'writers'  is a general group for writers and wannabees.
'writers.pros' is for published writers only. Focus tends to be on
computer-related journalism, though the trials and tribulations of=
 everything
from fiction to history to textbooks to poetry are discussed. =
 'writers.talk'
is for chatting with authors and friends. 'new.writers' is for newcomers.=20

COMPUSERV, AOL, the WELL, and GEnie also have writers' groups. =20
-------------------------------------------------------

End of FAQ-part 2



--=20
Wendy Chatley Green
wcgreen@cris.com

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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:12 PM