What is fantastic about joining writers organizations? 
Why should we pay a yearly membership fee?
In 2015, I joined Inspire Christian Writers on the day I attended a workshop with a friend. It has currently expanded into an international organization and been named a Top 5 International Christian Writer’s Resource.
A search online will pop up many organizations, from local to international, but what made this one different? What did Inspire Christian Writers offer for their $45 yearly membership fee? One feature I found important was a critique group with its bonus of forever friends. The critique group keeps writers focused and honing skills.
In addition, Inspire anthologies/compilations make it easier to submit stories to larger publishers like Guideposts or Bethany House. Many organizations publish a yearly anthology for their members to step them into published authorship. They send callouts explaining their theme via the website and newsletter. Members must follow the guidelines, edit, and meet the deadline as though they had a publishing contract.
Several times, fiction authors recommended American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Their fee has tiers, and potential members can choose which level of membership fits their budget and goals. ACFW has a robust website, and more benefits than I imagined.
For example, the ACFW Scribes critique group will critique as many books as members wish. I’ve seen blog posts, novellas, book cover blurbs, and more go to the online group. Scribes has over four hundred members. Each week, members can submit a maximum limit of words to submit, and participants are expected to critique at least three other submissions.
Not only do ACFW and Inspire Christian Writers help perfect manuscripts, they train members via their workshops, acceptance of short stories, writers conferences, and the valuable, enjoyable connections and friends. By joining a group, we will open ourselves to the support and prayer of fellow writers and spur each other forward in our goals. Like Jesus showed us, we are stronger and safer within a team.
Research these groups and others to see if they’d be a good fit for you in the coming year!
_________________________
E.V. Sparrow is contracted with Celebrate Lit for a 3-book series.
She has fourteen anthologized stories, including Guideposts and Bethany House publishers, and she placed second in Inspire Writers Flash Fiction contest with Wind in the Firs. Sparrow has ministered on prayer, worship, and mission teams, traveled nineteen countries, lived on an Israeli kibbutz, and hopped a freight train.
