Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!howland.erols.net!sunqbc.risq.qc.ca!newspeer.cwnet.com!sjc1.nntp.concentric.net!newsfeed.concentric.net!global-news-master From: Wendy Chatley Green Newsgroups: misc.writingmisc.answers,news.answers Subject: [misc.writing] Writing FAQ (modified 07/2000), part 2/2 Followup-To: poster Date: 18 Jun 2001 12:06:16 GMT Organization: Staggerwing Enterprises Lines: 976 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Message-ID: <8grrit4guv64kobn938lanmdq1bnlqvk4g@4ax.com> Reply-To: wcgreen@cris.com NNTP-Posting-Host: 64.1.28.203 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Summary: LIst of organizations and sites of use to writers Keywords: x-no-markup: yes X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 1.8/32.548 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu news.answers:209688 Archive-name: writing/faq/organization-list Posting-frequency: weekly (Mondays) to misc.writing; monthly (3rd monday) to *.answers Last-modified: 7.00 URL: http://www.scalar.com/mw/ This is Part 2 of the misc.writing Writing FAQ. It lists organizations and sources for writers. Part 1 covers manuscript preparation, submission, and other basics of writing. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ye Olde Disclaimer -------------------------------------------------------------------- This article is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. 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 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 Écrivaines et Écrivains Québécois (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 10.5.1 American PEN 10.5.2 National Writer's Union 10.5.3 The Authors Guild 10.5.4 Writers Guild of America 10.5.5 SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and 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 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 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 10.1.1 Australia Council Street Address: Postal Address: 181 Lawson St PO Box 788 Redfern Stawberry Hills Sydney New South Wales New South Wales Australia Australia 2012 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. ------------------------------ 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. ACT Writers' Centre: PO Box 23 Griffith Australian Capitol Territory 2603 Phone (06) 239 5251 NSW WRITERS' CENTRE: 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: 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: PO Box 43 Rundle Mall SA 5000 Phone: (08) 8223 7662 Fax: (08) 8232 3994 Email: writers@eastend.com.au Victorian Writers Centre: 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/ ---------------------------------- 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/ Site include a list of publishers in Australia --------------------------------- 10.2 Canada 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 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/ 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 Écrivaines et Écrivains Québécois (U.N.E.Q.) 3492, avenue Laval Montréal, 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 ------------------------------------------ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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. ----------------------------------------- 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/ 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. ---------------------------------------------- 10.2.10 SF Canada c/o Wordworks 11759 Groat Road, 2nd Floor, Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6 WWW: http://www.sfcanada.ca/ 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 ­ 27 Carlton Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 1L29 Phone: (416) 975-1379 Fax: (416) 975-1637 Email: info@editors.ca WWW: http://www.editors.ca/ 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. 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. -------------------------------------------------- 10.3.3 The Society of Authors 84 Drayton Gardens London SW10 9SB Phone: 0171-373-6642 Fax: 0171-373-5768 Email: authorsoc@writers.org.uk 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. ---------------------------------------------- 10.3.4 The Poetry Society Freepost LON5410 London WC2H 9BR 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. ------------------------------------------------ 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) ---------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------- 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 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 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 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). 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 Phone: (212) 563-5904 Email: authors@pipeline.com, authorsusa@aol.com, 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 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. -------------------------------- 10.5.6 North Carolina Writers' Network P. O. Box 954 Carrboro, N.C. 27510 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/ (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. 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. 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 10.5.11 Society for Technical Communication 901 N Stuart St., Ste. 904 Arlington, VA 22203-1854 Phone: (703) 522-4114 Fax: (703) 522-2075 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. 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. ---------------------------------------- 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: SUBSCRIBE FICTION 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 (or ) with the message: SUBSCRIBE WRITERS ---------------------------------- 11.6 Listserv: DOROTHY-L, for mystery fans and writers 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 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. "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." Critters has over 1,000 members and has been around for more than four years. ---------------------------------- 11.9 WWW Page: Miholer's Screenwriting Resources http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~miholer/ 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- 11.11 WORDPLAY: Professional Secrets for Screenwriters 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. COMPUSERV, AOL, the WELL, and GEnie also have writers' groups. ------------------------------------------------------- End of FAQ-part 2 -- Keeper of the misc.writing FAQ and Posting Guidelines, which are found at http://www.scalar.com/mw and at ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/misc.writing/writing/misc-writing-guide ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/misc.writing/writing/faq/basic-info ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/misc.writing/writing/faq/organization-list and at http://www.faqs.org/ or www.landfield.com/faqs and they are posted to news.answers and misc.answers monthly and to misc.writing every Monday