Overview of Services
As a nonprofit organization, St. Louis Writers Guild provides services to both our members and the public. See our Membership Benefits to get a sampling of exclusive benefits of being a member.
Regular Events
SLWG offers three to four regular SLWG events most every month, including a workshop, lecture, and two open mic nights. All the events are open to the public. Also, all of them are free to members. The workshops require a fee for non-members. Members and the public have opportunities to win attendance prizes at workshops and lectures and other fun and helpful "giveaways" for writers. SLWG's two very different Open Mic Nights offer an evening of literary entertainment — twice a month — where you can read your work aloud before a live audience or just come to listen to others and enjoy the company.
Special Events
SLWG hosts or participates in special literary events from time to time. Some of these events are open to the public while other are exclusively for members. Members will get special discounts for those events that are open to the public and require a fee. Examples of these events include special workshops, book festivals, public readings, exhibits, booth space at The Big Read (annual literary festival) to sell your book(s), the annual Missouri Writers Guild conference where members can connect with agents, etc. We host an annual holiday party for members, and at times, we also host online seminars for members.
Electronic Newsletter
Members and the public can enjoy a free subscription to Here’s News!, which is released 2-3 times a month. It contains current literary news and events on SLWG, our members, and the entire literary community. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on important information!
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
SLWG offers two nationally-recognized writing contests and a kids' writing contest each year, which are open to members and the public. SLWG also offers short-run, minor writing contests. Some contests are only open to members. All 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. This service is exclusive to members
Publicity for Members and Nonprofits
SLWG helps promote our members on our website and in our newsletters, including their works and accomplishments, their writing-related businesses, and their activities. This is one of our most valuable and effective benefits! As a service to the writing community, we also list writing-related, nonprofit news and events in our electronic newsletter.
Professional Writing Services
Businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations can take advantage of our Freelance Professionals, members who provide professional writing-related services, such as editing, proofreading, book coaching, web content and design, videos and documentaries, brochures, etc. Members who use our Freelancer Professionals will receive a discount of at least 10%. Do you qualify to be listed among our Freelance Professionals? You must be a member to be listed.
Send inquiries to: freelance@stlwritersguild.org.
Speakers Bureau
Need a speaker for a workshop, lecture, or seminar? Check out our Speakers Bureau. If you are a member and want to be listed, send your information to: webmaster@stlwritersguild.org.
Members Only Website Features
Besides the many resources listed on the website, which members and the public can access, members have the special privilege of having access to the Members Only features of our website, including access to contests from across the nation, job opportunities, markets, etc. Members also have the privilege of posting announcements and articles on the blogs and Discussion Board.
Service Opportunities
Members have ongoing opportunities to participate in SLWG in a significant way, as a leader or in another role where they can have a voice in the organization, build their portfolios, gain experience, meet others, and receive recognition and rewards for their 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.)