Writer Associations

I need to jump in and join ACFW. I haven’t done so for various reasons, but I think I am ready. I had originally thought to join RWA, since I thought I would write a sweet romance, just not with a Christian worldview. I quickly found out that my faith keeps popping in, so now I am weaving faith into my story. I guess that is a good thing that my view of life is woven with my faith, huh?

Now, I have a question for all you writers out there. What organizations/associations do you belong to? Do you belong to more than one?

If you belong to ACFW, what are the benefits? (besides getting to enter the Genisis) What is beyond that sacred Members Only Area?

I’m going to join soon no matter what, but thought I would get some feedback before I do.

Sherrinda Ketchersid

11 responses to “Writer Associations”

  1. Jody Hedlund Avatar
    Jody Hedlund

    I joined ACFW primarily to enter Genesis this year. I also thought it would be a great way to get into a critque group. The critique group didn’t work out for a variety of reasons. But I still like keeping up with all of the news through the email loop. And if I finally make up my mind whether to attend the conference, I’ll feel like I have a jump start on it. (This week people were emailing about the security of the Denver airport and tips for getting through faster.)Just my two cents!

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  2. Jaime Avatar
    Jaime

    I joined ACFW at the insistence of a dear published author who had read some of my work and said I’d benefit. I was hesitant and waited a year and wish I didn’t!!ACFW is great for networking. You meet soooo many authors, agents, and unpublished authors. The information that flies through your inbox daily is insane and totally stretches your techniques and knowledge. I’ve learned so much just from general conversation. Plus! you get exposed to tons of blogs with lots of great info!I met my dear critique partner through ACFW (never face to face), but we’ve totally hit it off. She just red inked my latest WIP and it’s amazing. I love it.Then there’s the prayer loop which gives you such support and gives you such an awareness of prayer in your daily life.I can’t speak highly enough. The networking and prayer support is amazing!

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  3. sherrinda Avatar
    sherrinda

    Jody, I didn’t realize there was an email look too. I bet it keeps your inbox full! Do they pair you up with a critique partner according to genre? (Just curious)

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  4. sherrinda Avatar
    sherrinda

    Jaime, thanks for the comment. Is it hard to find a critique partner or did you just luck out? I think that is a scary thing for me, but maybe it helps not really knowing the person at first (I don’t know!)Thanks for all the info! It was very helpful.

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  5. Jeannie Campbell Avatar
    Jeannie Campbell

    i joined ACFW just this January. It just seemed to be the primary organization (besides the Christian Writer’s Guild) for Christian authors. I really wanted to be in a crit group, and I am in one, but it’s not met up to my expectations. I, like, Jaime, have met my crit buddy through the email loop ACFW has, and we really hit it off, too! Also, the courses offered every month through ACFW are really great. freelance editor/writer merideth efkin is doing a great course right now on writing an “unputdownable” book. You can access all the former courses in the archives…just lots of info for people new to the industry. SO go for it!AND THANKS FOR THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS!! I figured it out…come check it out!

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  6. sherrinda Avatar
    sherrinda

    Jaime, okay, you sold me. I will join up this afternoon when I get back from work. I didn’t know there were courses too! Just what I need, I’m sure.

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  7. Eileen Astels Watson Avatar
    Eileen Astels Watson

    Hi, Sherrinda, I’m a member of ACFW, RWA, and The Word Guild (A Canadian Christian Writer’s group). Of all of them I do believe the online loop of ACFW is the most helpful. One quick email out to the loop and you have access to hundreds of experienced writers, and many, many professionals who can guide you with research questions for your wip. And of course, there is the support and encouragement gained by interacting with these fellow Christian writers.If you make use of the loop and forums, you’ll gain much from this organization.

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  8. Jody Hedlund Avatar
    Jody Hedlund

    Hi Sherrinda,ACFW will match you with other historical writers if you prefer that. You have to fill out a questionnaire and then critique a “fake” document. After a process, they will try to match you in a group that matches your interests.So, what are you looking for in a critique partner?

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  9. sherrinda Avatar
    sherrinda

    Eileen, how do you manage 3 writing groups? I cannot imagine the time involved. Of course, I work 7:30am-4:00pm every day, so my evenings are all I have, but still…the amount of time I am sure you spend must be overwhelming!

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  10. sherrinda Avatar
    sherrinda

    Jody, I don’t what I am looking for, because I don’t really know what I am supposed to be looking for! I am so new, sometimes it is overwhelming. Do you have any suggestions in what to look for?

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  11. Eileen Astels Watson Avatar
    Eileen Astels Watson

    Honestly, Sherrinda, the time involved is totally up to the individual. There is very little loop e-mails sent out through the RWA and The Word Guild groups, I may get 10 e-mails a day to quickly sift through from the both of them, but from ACFW, now there is a different story. I’m members of RWA for access to their competitions–guess I ought to submit to them some day then, right? As far as The Word Guild. I attend their annual 3-day writer’s conference (it’s the largest Christian writers conf. in Canada) and just want to keep in the loop so I joined, and to support them, too.Really, just by being a member, it isn’t time consuming at all, just provides more opportunities and access when needed. I probably don’t utilize any to their full advantage, but over time I hope to do more with them.

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