Membership Benefits
Be part of an enduring literary legacy since 1920, which has included many successful authors, including Tennessee Williams who won our short story contest in 1935. Here is a sampling of benefits:
Regular Workshops
With your SLWG membership, you'll receive free admission to our regular workshops and free access to experts in writing, editing, and publishing who speak at SLWG's monthly Lecture Series and regular workshops.
Special Events
Members will have opportunities to participate in special literary events from time to time, including book festivals, public readings, exhibits, etc., and also receive discounts at our special workshops and on booth space at The Big Read (annual literary festival) to sell your book(s), the annual Missouri Writers Guild conference* where you can connect with agents, and more. At times, we'll also host online seminars for members.
Quarterly Newsletter
Members will receive a free subscription to The Scribe, our quarterly print newsletter, containing important information on SLWG activities, upcoming events, and "insiders' news." There is also a helpful article in every issue written by a writing expert.
Contests
While SLWG offers two nationally-recognized writing contests each year and also a kids' writing contest, which are all open to members and the public, SLWG also offers short-run, minor writing contests. Some contests are only open to members. The contests offer recognition, publication, and prizes. See our Contests page for details. SLWG also maintains a comprehensive list of contests across the nation, which is only available to members.
Critique Groups and Writing Partners
Looking for someone to critique your work? Find a writing partner or a critique group in our private Writing Partners directory.
Publicity for Members
SLWG helps promote our members on our website and in our newsletters, including their works and accomplishments, their writing-related businesses, and their activities, such as book readings and signings. Members also have the privilege of posting their own articles, accomplishments, news, etc. on the two blogs. This is one of our most valuable and effective benefits!
Members can have themselves listed in various places on the website. These are just an example:
- Public membership directory, which agents and publishers can view
- Private membership directory, which members can use to network with other members
- Online bookstore displays books published by members with links to online bookstores
Professional Writing Services
Members can get help with their writing projects and receive a minimum 10% discount. Our Freelance Professionals can help you with writing-related needs, such as editing, proofreading, book coaching, book development, website content and design, etc. Members can also get their writing-related businesses listed. Do you qualify to be listed among our Freelance Professionals? Send inquiries to: freelance@stlwritersguild.org, but you must be a member to be listed.
Speakers Bureau
Our Speakers Bureau lists members who give lectures, workshops, and seminars. If you qualify and are a member, send your information to: webmaster@stlwritersguild.org.
Members Only Website Features
One of the many benefits of membership is having access to the Members Only features of our website, including access to contests from across the nation, job opportunities, markets, etc. Members have the privilege of posting announcements and articles on the blogs and Discussion Board.
Service Opportunities
As a member, you have ongoing opportunities to participate in SLWG in a significant way, as a leader or in another role where you can have a voice in the organization, build your portfolio, gain experience, meet others, and receive recognition and rewards for your contributions. These members have an opportunity to be a Distinguished Member and receive additional benefits, such as being our featured author for a month on the SLWG Spotlight page, which resembles a magazine spread. (The Spotlight is like having your own website, too. It can be linked to for promotional purposes long after your feature month ends.)
Friendship and Networking
Members have numerous opportunities to form friendships and participate in a network of professional and social contacts who are writers and/or other publishing industry professionals.
Annual Holiday Party
Every year, SLWG hosts an exclusive party for members in December.
* Members of SLWG are chapter members of Missouri Writers Guild and receive a discount on the annual MWG writers’ conference, eligibility to enter special contests, and other benefits. Note: Chapter membership is not the same as individual membership in MWG. (For details on joining Missouri Writers Guild, visit:
http://www.missouriwritersguild.org.)