The Writers' Union of Canada : Who We Are

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Who We Are What We Do Statement of Principle History Support National Council and Staff TWUC Logo

Benefits of Membership Who is Eligible Cost of Membership How to Join

Members' Pages TWUC Publications Manuscript Evaluation Ghostwriting Professional Development Workshops AGM

National Public Readings Program Writers-in-the-Schools Program Writers-in-the-Schools Northern Program BC/Yukon Writers in the Schools As A Host

Finding a Publisher Submitting a Manuscript Guidelines for Submitting a Manuscript Multiple Submissions Literary Agents Contracts Publishers Cautions Copyright

Current Campaigns Achievements Freedom to Read Award Union Briefs Press Releases

Danuta Gleed Literary Award Postcard Story Competition Writing for Children Competition Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $20.1 million in writing and publishing throughout Canada.

	The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

The Writers’ Union of Canada is a not-for-profit organization established in 1973 to support and advocate on behalf of Canada’s book published authors. The Union has more than 1,800 members.

To be eligible for membership, writers must be Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or identify themselves as an aboriginal or indigenous person born or resident in Canada. Members must have published at least one book with a trade or university press or the equivalent in another medium. Authors with self-published books do not meet the union's membership criteria. Provisional membership may be granted to an applicant with a contract in hand whose book has not yet been published.

Writers join the Union so that they can benefit from the Union’s many services, connect with their peers, and support the Union’s advocacy. The Union’s many services include member web pages, Union-administered readings, a quarterly newsletter, self-help publications, contract advice, grievance assistance, and an opportunity to attend the Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which in 2011 will be held May 26-29 in Toronto.

The first chair of the Union was Margaret Laurence and thirty-seven writers have generously given their time, effort, energy, and dedication to chairing the Union since its inception in 1973. The Union’s current Chair is Alan Cumyn.

Union policy is set by the members of the Union each year at the Union’s Annual General Meeting. The Union’s National Council is made up of thirteen members all of whom are elected by the members of the Union. The National Council implements the policies established by the AGM and makes appropriate decisions between AGMs.

While all major policy decisions are made by the members at the Annual General Meeting and the National Council, the administration of the Union is overseen by the executive director, Kelly Duffin, and implemented by her staff.

Writers have found the Union an essential organization providing them with valuable services and assistance. Find out what members say about the Union.

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