We understand both the difficulties and the joys of being a writer — from the isolation, frustration, financial concerns, and the need for information and assistance to the elation that comes with each publication.
Benefits of Membership
By joining the Union, you can benefit from the Union's many program and services:
- Opportunities to meet and network with other professional writers across Canada, including through regional meetings, professional development sessions, social events, and the Annual General Meeting
- Assistance with publishing contracts and grievances
- Access to TWUC webinars
- Access to the Writers’ How-to Series, including the Directory of Canadian Publishers, the Contracts Self-Help Package, and professional development publications
- Be paid to mentor, or be mentored by, another writer through the Union’s Mentorship Microgrants
- Access to paid readings programs, which fund writers for public readings and school presentations
- Subscription to Write, the Union’s quarterly magazine on the craft and business of writing in Canada
- Regular updates on the work of the Union through our e-newsletters
- Eligibility to be a paid evaluator for our Manuscript Evaluation Service
- Access to exclusive resources provided by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
- A member profile page on TWUC’s website where you can promote yourself and your work
- Access to a group health benefits plan, for an additional fee, which includes a drug plan, hospital coverage, out-of-hospital benefits, vision care, hearing benefits, dental care, and specialists’ services. (To be eligible, members must be under 71 years of age, have a valid Provincial Health Card, and live in Canada at the time coverage becomes effective.)
Become a Member
Eligibility
There are two pathways to membership:
- Applicants who have published* a full-length book through a commercial or university press** should complete the Simplified Application.
- All other applicants will complete the Extended Application, which determines eligibility using a points system that recognizes professional publication in a variety of formats and commitment to craft. You can see the points system here.
Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and/or self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) person born or resident in Canada.
Not yet eligible? The Union offers lots of information on getting published.
*The book must have reached its publication date when applying. For books that are forthcoming, applicants may complete the Extended Application instead, which awards 4 points for a contract offer.
**A book is considered traditionally published if the author has signed a royalty-paying contract with the publisher, did not pay any costs towards the book's production, and was not obligated to purchase a certain number of books as part of the author agreement. In all other cases, the book is considered self-published.
There are two pathways to membership:
- Applicants who have published* a full-length book through a commercial or university press** should complete the Simplified Application.
- All other applicants will complete the Extended Application, which determines eligibility using a points system that recognizes professional publication in a variety of formats and commitment to craft. You can see the points system here.
Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and/or self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) person born or resident in Canada.
Not yet eligible? The Union offers lots of information on getting published.
*The book must have reached its publication date when applying. For books that are forthcoming, applicants may complete the Extended Application instead, which awards 4 points for a contract offer.
**A book is considered traditionally published if the author has signed a royalty-paying contract with the publisher, did not pay any costs towards the book's production, and was not obligated to purchase a certain number of books as part of the author agreement. In all other cases, the book is considered self-published.
Application Process
Every application must pass before the Union’s membership committee for approval. This process usually takes 2–4 weeks for Simplified Applications and 6–10 weeks for Extended Applications (though it may take longer in some cases). A delayed response from TWUC does not in any way reflect the quality of your application.
Every application must pass before the Union’s membership committee for approval. This process usually takes 2–4 weeks for Simplified Applications and 6–10 weeks for Extended Applications (though it may take longer in some cases). A delayed response from TWUC does not in any way reflect the quality of your application.
Rejoining the Union?
Former members wishing to rejoin do not need to reapply. You can rejoin the Union by contacting the Union at info@writersunion.ca.
Former members wishing to rejoin do not need to reapply. You can rejoin the Union by contacting the Union at info@writersunion.ca.
Cost
Did you know that membership dues can be claimed as a tax-deductible business expense?
The Union also offers the following voluntary discounted membership rates:
