Priorities

Community

Connection with like-minded people who share your Christian worldview and your passion to use your writing to honour God, and who provide professional, emotional, spiritual, and prayer support.
Members-only moderated on-line forum for discussion of writing issues and exchange of information. You can post your writing-related questions, benefit from the input of other members, and respond to others’ questions. In addition, the moderator will post topics to generate discussion.
On-line forums for interest groups to discuss issues specific to various genres and promotion for authors (BuildUp).
Opportunities to share prayer requests and praise reports for personal and writing-related issues from The Word Guild’s caring and supportive cross-Canada prayer team.
Annual Writing Awards Gala, a black-tie event to gather with your fellow members and honour the best Canadian Christian writers. Discounted tickets for The Word Guild members.

Skills Development

Annual three-day Write! Canada conference. $20 discount for The Word Guild members.
One-day Write! Events – regional conferences across Canada led by experienced instructors. $10 discount for The Word Guild members.
The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards: annual writing contest to recognize the best books and articles in 35 categories published in the past year. Receive judges’ critiques. Discounted entry fee for The Word Guild members.
Annual God Uses Ink Novice contest, for aspiring writers who have never been published. Receive judges’ critiques. Win free registration to Write! Canada.
Online peer critique groups.
Marketing advice.
Opportunities to gain experience and to build your resume and your network of contacts through a variety of volunteer positions within The Word Guild, including writing, editing, event planning, administration, PR, etc.

Information

Members-only bi-weekly Write! On e-newsletter, with industry news, coming events, job postings, writing contests, marketing tips, etc.
The opportunity to inform 350-plus fellow members in Write! On e-newsletter about your writing-related news, such as published articles, book launches, media appearances, speaking engagements, awards, etc.
Access to the private member area of The Word Guild web site with information, resources, etc.

Long-Term Impact

The satisfaction of supporting, promoting and developing other Canadian writers who are Christian by your participation in the association.
The satisfaction of supporting The Word Guild’s goals of strengthening the Canadian Christian writing and publishing community, of encouraging excellence, and of impacting the Canadian culture through the words of writers, editors and speakers with a Christian worldview.

Additional Benefits for Professional Members

Free “Hire Us” listings: freelance writers and editors can promote their skills and services in the “Hire Us” section of TWG’s Canadian Christian Writers Web site.
Free listing in Professional Members Directory: downloadable directory available on-line for hiring use by editors, publishers, communications directors, and other potential buyers of writing, editing, speaking and publishing-related services.
Free “Read Us” listings: authors and publication editors can promote their books or magazines/newspapers in the “Read Us” section of TWG’s Canadian Christian Writers Web site.
Participate in cooperative promotional events such as exhibits at Word on the Street festivals, library association conferences, MissionFest, church librarians’ conferences, book signings, author panels, public readings, etc.
Free promotional opportunity for authors: a variety of authors record their reflections on writing, life and faith in a daily blog, providing a place for readers and potential buyers of their work to get to know them better on the Canadian Authors Who Are Christian Blog.
Promotional opportunity for authors and publication editors: appear in The Word Guild’s Readers’ Guide, a professionally-produced, full-colour catalogue that is widely distributed to bookstores, libraries, etc. Purchase reasonably-priced ads to promote your books, magazines/newspapers or public speaking topics. See the 2009/2010 Guide in PDF format.
Moral and practical support in situations of infringement of writers’ rights or freedoms.
Cooperation with other organizations to increase visibility and actively promote Canadian writers who are Christian.