Authors Electric

L-R:Francesca Burgess, Barbara Cluff, Elaine Roberts, Maxine Burns, Ann Evans, Elaine Everest, Vivienne Hampshire.  The SWWJ stands for the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Established in 1894 it's the oldest British society for professional women writers. And they actively welcome new members. Now before all you male writers and non-journalists tune out, you'll be interested to know that men are eligible to join as Associate Members and you don't have to be a journalist. You do have to be a writer however – a published writer, although the society will be launching a 'Writer's Début' for unpublished writers on 1st October this year.   While welcoming new members. the SWWJ does have high standards, their mission statement being: “The Society aims to encourage literary achievement, to uphold professional standards, to promote social contact with fellow writers and to defend the dignity and prestige of the writing profess...

Founder of the SWWJ Joseph Snell Wood I'm wondering how many of Authors Electric authors are also members of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ). It's the UK's longest-established society for professional women writers and has members based all around the globe. I joined back in 1994. It actually comes as a bit of a surprise to think I've been a member for so long. But it must be because I remember going to their Centenary celebrations as a new member. The aims of the SWWJ include the encouragement of literary achievement (which I'm still striving towards!) to uphold professional standards, to promote social contact with fellow writers and to defend the dignity and prestige of the writing profession in all its aspects. The Society was founded in 1894 so last year celebrated its 120th anniversary. Oddly enough it wasn't founded by a woman. It was newspaper proprietor and entrepreneur Joseph Snell Wood who recognised the need...

Did anyone go to the London Book Fair this week? I'd never been before and was curious to know what it was like and whether it was mainly for agents and publishers or whether it was useful for authors too. So, teaming up with author Karen King, we set off last Wednesday for a day out in London at the famous book fair. Like me, Karen hadn't been before either, so we'd made up our minds that even if we felt like outsiders, we'd enjoy our day out in London regardless. It turned out however to be an excellent day, perfect for networking and seeing what opportunities there are for writers. Obviously a lot of authors aren't interested in working with publishers, but I'm always on the look out for writing opportunities and will gladly write what needs to be written if it will help pay my bills. The first thing we noticed was that there was a real buzz as you walked up the steps to Earls Court, with everyone keen to get in and start exploring. At ...