Professional associations, regional writing centers, and online communities for writers at every level.
The largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering appreciation of poetry. Sponsors National Poetry Month, the American Poets Prize, and maintains Poets.org.
The largest organization for Christian fiction writers. Offers online critique groups, a popular annual conference, contests including the Carol Awards, and extensive publishing resources.
The premier organization for independent nonfiction writers. Offers contracts guidance, networking, an annual conference, and advocacy for freelance journalists and book authors.
The leading literary organization for writers in higher education and MFA programs. Hosts the largest literary conference in North America and publishes The Writer's Chronicle.
The oldest writers' conference in America, held annually at Middlebury College in Vermont. Competitive fellowships available. Prestigious community for serious literary writers.
Prestigious six-week residential workshop for science fiction and fantasy writers. Alumni include many of the genre's most prominent authors. Highly competitive application.
The professional association for playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists. Provides contracts, business guidance, and advocacy for theatrical writers.
One of the leading independent writing centers in the US. Offers classes, workshops, manuscript consultations, and the Muse and the Marketplace conference.
International organization for readers and writers of historical fiction. Publishes Historical Novels Review, hosts conferences, and maintains a lively online community.
The premier organization for horror writers. Home of the Bram Stoker Awards. Offers mentorship, networking, and resources for writers of horror and dark fiction.
Seattle's center for writers. Offers classes, workshops, fellowships, and a residency program. Known for fostering an inclusive literary community in the Pacific Northwest.
Professional organization for mystery and crime writers. Home of the Edgar Awards. Offers networking, education, and advocacy for writers of crime fiction and nonfiction.
The world's largest writing event — 50,000 words in November. Year-round community with forums, local chapters, Camp sessions in April and July, and resources for all writers.
Defends free expression and supports writers through grants, fellowships, advocacy, and literary programs. Open to published writers and editors across all genres.
The largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers in the US. Publishes Poets & Writers Magazine and maintains a free directory of literary agents, MFA programs, and contests.
The largest genre-fiction writing organization in the world, with chapters nationwide. Offers conferences, contests, networking, and resources for romance writers at every level.
Professional organization for science fiction and fantasy writers. Administers the Nebula Awards. Offers grievance support, contracts help, emergency funds, and networking.
One of the most respected online writing critique communities. Writers earn karma by critiquing others' work, then spend it to post their own. Known for high-quality, substantive feedback.
The largest childrens publishing organization in the world, with regional chapters globally. Conferences, grants, awards, and networking for writers and illustrators of childrens books.
The oldest and largest professional organization for writers in the US. Provides legal assistance, contract review, advocacy, and business resources for published authors.
Nonprofit supporting the creation of literature for children through workshops, retreats, and scholarships. Highly regarded community for childrens book writers and illustrators.
One of the largest and most comprehensive literary centers in the US. Classes, workshops, mentorships, fellowships, and community events for writers at all levels.
Literary nonprofit hosting the prestigious Tin House Workshop and Summer and Winter Workshops. Highly competitive but open-application summer intensive for serious fiction and poetry writers.
Nonprofit advocating for diversity in childrens and young adult publishing. Offers grants, internships, mentorships, and classroom resources. Important community for diverse writers.
The union for professional screenwriters and television writers in the US. Administers minimum payment standards, credits, and residuals. Membership requires professional credits.
Large online community and Facebook group for indie authors focused on writing to market and building a sustainable self-publishing income. Active forums, conferences, and craft discussions.
Long-running online forum for writers covering craft, querying, publishing, and everything in between. Large archive of agent and publisher experiences shared by members.
Membership organization for published crime and mystery writers. Networking, advocacy, and promotion of crime fiction across all subgenres.
Community for screenwriters centered on the Austin Film Festival. Year-round programming, panels, and the prestigious AFF Screenplay Competition.
The only organization exclusively for biographers. Annual conference, the Plutarch Award, and a community of writers working in biography and related nonfiction forms.
UK organization for science fiction writers and readers. Publishes Vector and Focus magazines, administers the BSFA Awards, and runs workshops and critique groups.
Supports Chicago-area writers at all career stages through programs, publications, networking, and the annual Chicago Writers Conference.
The UK's leading organization for crime writers. Administers the prestigious Gold Dagger and other CWA Dagger awards. Active events, networking, and debut support.
National organization for Canadian crime writers. Administers the Arthur Ellis Awards, hosts events, and fosters a community of crime and mystery writers across Canada.
Free online critique community with a queue-based system for receiving feedback. Active forums and genre-specific groups. Strong community for fiction writers.
Statewide organization supporting Florida writers with regional groups, an annual conference, writing competitions, and publishing resources.
NYC-based writing school with extensive online offerings. Classes in fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and more. One of the most accessible writing programs nationally.
HWA's program specifically designed for newer horror writers. Mentorship, resources, and community for those early in their horror writing careers.
Global organization linking crime writers across more than 30 countries. Administers the Hammett Prize and promotes crime writing internationally.
Professional organization for thriller writers. Home of the Thriller Awards. Offers debut author programs, mentorships, networking, and resources.
Supports women writers of all genres and stages through retreats, workshops, networking, and publishing resources. Community-focused with an emphasis on personal voice.
National organization for journalism educators and student journalists. Resources for narrative nonfiction writers with journalism backgrounds.
Denver's literary community hub. Classes, workshops, an annual book project, and the Lit Fest. Strong community for Colorado writers and national online programs.
Dedicated resource for memoir writers at every level. Offers teleseminars, webinars, coaching, a supportive community, and educational resources specific to memoir.
The only trade union for freelance writers in the US. Advocates for fair pay, contracts, and working conditions across journalism, books, and digital publishing.
Provides free creative writing workshops for underserved communities across New York City. Community-centered approach to writing as empowerment.
Six-week intensive workshop for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Strong emphasis on revision and the business of writing. Highly regarded in genre fiction circles.
Professional organization for communicators who cover the outdoors — hunting, fishing, conservation, and adventure. Offers conferences, awards, and editorial services.
Online community and movement centered on supporting authors from marginalized groups writing their own stories. Active presence on social media and in publishing advocacy.
Serves writers in the Pacific Northwest with classes, critique groups, and the annual PNWA Literary Contest and Summer Conference — one of the oldest writing conferences in the US.
Online community and learning platform for writers and authors. Free courses on craft, querying, and self-publishing. Active community forums and peer feedback.
Colorado-based organization supporting fiction writers with critique groups, workshops, and the annual Colorado Gold Writers Conference.
UK organization for writers of romantic fiction. Famous for its New Writers' Scheme, which offers manuscript critique for unpublished writers. Conferences and active chapters.
Promotes the work of women crime writers through networking, advocacy, and education. Open to writers of all genders. Active local and online chapters worldwide.
Oldest continuously operating author organization in the Midwest. Annual book awards and events for published authors in the twelve-state Midwest region.
Austin-based nonprofit supporting Texas writers with classes, workshops, an annual conference, grants, and one of the most active state writing communities in the US.
Canadian organization for writers and editors who are Christian. Annual conference, awards, critique groups, and networking for faith-based writers.
Promotes and preserves the literature of the American West. Home of the Spur Awards. Active community of writers of westerns, frontier history, and related genres.
Promotes and preserves the literature of the American West. Home of the Spur Awards. Active community of writers of westerns, frontier history, and related genres.
Oregon's largest writing organization. Monthly meetings, critique groups, workshops, and the Willamette Writers Conference featuring pitching to agents and editors.
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