Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I join The Word Guild?

The Word Guild (TWG) is an association of writers and editors who are Christian and are committed to encouraging one another and fostering standards of excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing. If you are a writer or editor who is Christian—beginner or long-established—you will find support, encouragement, practical help and many new friends and colleagues by joining The Word Guild.

What do I get by joining?

Many writers and editors struggle with isolation—we often work alone, sometimes from our homes, and do not have the opportunity to interact with our peers very often. By joining The Word Guild, you enter into a community that is largely lived online through a stimulating Internet discussion forum that currently has more than 150 of our members exchanging news, ideas, questions and opinions. Members can post writing-related questions, benefit from the input of other members and respond to others' questions. Moderators of the discussion forums supply conversation topics on a weekly basis to stimulate discussion in order to build community and share expertise.

TWG also offers prayer support through a dedicated group of people praying for The Word Guild, and the writing-related needs and requests of its members.

TWG offers critique groups, a mentoring program and national and regional conferences at reduced rates for members, designed to encourage excellence in our craft.

TWG keeps members informed of contests, jobs, conferences and special opportunities. As a Christian group, we keep each other up-to-date on personal needs and prayer requests as well. And, by joining TWG, you are showing your support for TWG's mandate of "connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian."

What makes you different from any other writers' group?

If there is one thing that sets TWG apart from other writers' groups, it is the fact that our members all adhere to the historic Christian faith (through agreement with the Apostles’ Creed) and to excellence in our craft whether we write for the church press in Canada, the international news market or scripts for Hollywood feature films. We encourage our members to write in all genres and for both mainstream and Christian markets. Our goal is to impact the Canadian culture through the words of writers and editors who write from a Christian worldview.

How can I find out if I really am a writer?

First, start writing. Spend a little time each day exploring, practicing and refining. Attend a conference in your area. TWG also offers a mentoring service for a small fee. This gives you the opportunity to have your work assessed by an experienced writer or editor who will encourage you and help you grow and develop in your professional skills.

At TWG conferences there are opportunities to send in manuscripts for critiques ahead of time, so that you can meet with a professional writer or editor who has already read your work and will discuss it with you. Whether your desire is to write for fun or for a living, TWG can help you develop your skills.

I want to write, but I’m not sure how to start. How can I get my article, story, book published?

First, join The Word Guild. You will discover a community of writers and editors who are gentle in their critique and strong in their encouragement. We want everyone who joins to succeed in his or her goals whenever possible. This is usually done through hard work and practice, practice, practice. Many writers give up too soon. Being part of a larger group to which you can be accountable can help ensure that does not happen to you.

Research publishers in your genre (you can do this on the Internet). Read magazines. Find out who is publishing what. Don’t discount local community papers as an excellent starting place to be published. Many successful writers have begun their career in local papers.

Read and study books that teach how to do a book proposal. Chapters/Indigo sell writers’ books by several publishers. Writer's Digest publications are often recommended. (Visiting bookstores is another way to discover publishers.)

These are only a few ideas of what is needed to write and publish a book. If you have completed your manuscript, you may want to have a professional editor critique it. There are a number of editors available through The Word Guild, or you could search the directory of the Editors' Association of Canada www.editors.ca.

The Word Guild offers seminars, workshops and one-day events throughout the year that can be extremely helpful and are offered across Canada and advertised on this website.

I’ve written something and I think I’m ready for a critique. What exactly is a critique and how do I get one?

A critique happens when a professional writer or editor (or even just a good friend with some knowledge of writing) examines your writing and offers constructive criticism that will help you make it better. In our search for excellence in our work, we are not afraid to humbly hear what others have to say about it. This might be one of the most difficult things for a writer to do. We’ve created something—it’s our baby—and we don’t want it to be viewed as less than brilliant.

But all great writers re-write.

A critique will help any writer, at any level, to see what is working, what needs to be fixed and maybe even get some suggestions about how to fix it.

TWG offers an email critique group called ReVision. Participants agree to gently critique each other’s work. All forms of writing are welcome.

Can TWG help me connect with someone who can teach me how to be a better writer?

Seasoned writers and editors have much to offer a novice writer, or even an experienced writer wanting to stretch in new directions. Guidance, input, and a critique that is truly constructive can transform a writer's work. Through The Word Guild's mentoring programs, writers can enter into month-long mentoring partnerships that are as unique as the writer's needs and the mentor's gifts. Mentoring is an ancient kind of partnership with profound possibilities for today's Canadian writers who are Christian. The Word Guild is proud to offer it.

Can The Word Guild help connect me with editors, publishers and agents?

Yes, we can. Some leading Canadian authors, editors and publishers are members of The Word Guild. So if you are willing to take some risks and introduce yourself, you will meet some of them eventually.

That can also happen face to face at Write! Canada, our annual national writing conference held in Guelph, Ont., each June. Editors and publishers, as well as agents, from all over North America attend each year. They are there for two simple reasons: to share some knowledge and to find some writers. Maybe you will be one of them.

Every TWG conference focuses on helping people learn practical skills. There are workshops and seminars on how to find editors and publishers, and, of course, how to present them with the very best writing you can produce.

I don’t think I'm a writer, but I want to find one. Can I hire a writer from The Word Guild?

One of the services TWG offers our members and the public is a directory of our professional members. To be a professional member of TWG, writers and editors have to meet strict criteria of publishing credits, experience and expertise. To request a catalogue of our professional members or of our authors please email ISmail:admin.

I’ve tried to get my book published, but no publisher is interested. Should I self-publish my book?

The Word Guild is made up of authors who are published by large, well-known publishing houses and others who have chosen, for a variety of reasons, to independently publish their books. If you attend a TWG conference or join our Internet discussion group, you will have the opportunity to ask that question directly to writers who have done both.

How can I find a writers' group in my area?

The Word Guild encourages small writing groups when two or more of our members live in close proximity. This is a great way to get support and input into your work, not to mention a lot of fun. TWG's small group coordinator, Belinda Burston, can help you find out if there is a group in your area, or help you start one. Contact her at ISmail:membership.

FAQ'S