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OuterNotes: Specialty Writer Sites
http://www.jaws.org
There's no need to fear the pink shark waiting at this home page -- it's
merely the mascot of this non-profit, 250-member professional
organization created in 1985 to support the professional empowerment of
women journalists and allow them a chance to "meet in an atmosphere of
mutual support, professional growth and a chance to exercise the tongue
instead of biting it. We don't call ourselves JAWS by accident," they
note. (The Journalism and Women's Symposium is the official acronym.)
They're based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and
their membership ranges from Pulitzer Prize winners to cub reporters.
The $50.00 annual membership fee includes a listserver members use as a
sounding board and launch pad to support each other's professional
progress; they also hold twice-a-year "JAWS Camps" in scenic locales.
Last year's fall camp, where workshops replaced wienie roasts, counted
138 attendees (camp attendance is also open to non-members, as are local
networking events). Writers of both genders who are fishing for jobs can
hook into their easy-access (read: sans search engine) job bank, which
lists a wide variety of high-quality national and international
opportunities; there are also several links to diversity-oriented
employment sites. http://www.amwa.org/ Founded in 1940 by eight Missouri physicians who wished to learn more about medical writing, this Rockwell, Maryland-based group now boasts over 4,000 members. Membership benefits includes a 10-issue-a-year job newsletter (the online ads for freelance and full-time writers on the site are accessible only to members), listing in their freelancer directory, and a BBS system for second and third opinions. The $95.00 annual fee also includes eligibility for Core and Advanced Curriculum distance-education certifications, in-person networking with other professionals (the organization has 20 chapters across the U.S. and in Canada), the quarterly AMWA journal and attendance at their annual conference. While most of the site's resources on the site are limited to members, a small but strong list of medical-information and general writer links will justify the visit for anyone considering a ways to break into this burgeoning sector of writing. --Mariatereasa Thiery 3. SABEW: A Site That's Strictly Business http://www.sabew.org/sabew The Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) is on a mission to promote objective business reporting and improvement of skills and knowledge through continuous educational efforts. The site offers business journalism-focused articles and an Internet Resource List with fresh (and familiar) resources specific to business and economic coverage. Subscribers can access the Personal Finance Interest Group's e-mail service to query SABEW members for advice on creating better personal finance content. Registration is necessary to access the resume bank and job listings and participate in the TalkBiz discussion, but it might be worth the price: Wading through the archives for discussion topics, I was able to access a freelance job lead from Boston Globe/syndicated personal finance columnist Charles Jaffe, author of the recently published book "Chuck Jaffe's Lifetime Guide to Mutual Funds: An Owner's Manual." --Michael O'Brien 4. SEJ: Because It's Not Easy Writing Green http://www.sej.org For those journalists and freelancers who wish to tackle environmental issues, the Society of Environmental Journalists offers a wide range of benefits, including conferences, career listings, education programs, and more. With more than 1,000 members, the SEJ seeks "to advance public understanding of critically important environmental issues through more and better environmental journalism." Their free Web site lists extensive journalism job links and information about fellowships with the University of Colorado, Boulder, Pew Fellowships in International Journalism, Nieman Fellowships for Environmental Journalists, and more. Interested writers can apply for membership ($40.00 annual fee, $30.00 for students) online or via snail mail. --Melanie Barton Zoltán 5. Policewriter.com: Book(mark) 'Em! http://policewriter.com The Police Writers Association provides police writers, photographers, illustrators and editors links to both publishing information (fiction and non-fiction are covered) and to each other. The $55.00 annual membership, which is open to published and unpublished writers, provides "Getting Started" and "Publications List" booklets, and a quarterly newsletter with news and writing opportunities (a sample issue is viewable on the site), and a mailing list where writers can network and exchange info. A Member's Pages service is valuable for writers who want to get more exposure and editors looking for experienced police writers. The group welcomes submissions to its annual "Cop Tales" anthology. Published members include Richard Davis, author of "Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies" and Paul Bishop author of "Chalk Whispers," "Twice Dead," and "Kill Me Again." --Jody Yerges 6. Don't Essay a Screenplay Without Wordplay http://www.wordplayer.com Of all the sites on the web for screenwriters, this one stands heads and shoulders above the rest. The brainchild (and completely altruistic effort) of Terry Rossio (co-author of Aladdin, The Mask Of Zorro, Small Soldiers and many, many others), the site features 42 (and counting!) columns by Terry on every aspect of the industry as well as the craft and business of screenwriting. Terry's partner Ted Elliot is a frequent contributor to the site's columns and message board, which feature posts from a very wide circle of screenwriters who have become fast friends with each other through this site. You'll also find a collection of essays and tips from such indie pros as Walter Parkes, Dan Petrie, Jr., Frank Darabont, and many others. But there's more to be had from Wordplayer.com (known simply as WORDPLAY) than free advice -- it's a friendly community that fosters a family atmosphere. --Max Kovins 7. Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers: A Down-To-Earth Star http://www.sfwa.org/ You don't have to be a Trekkie to utilize this stellar site that's full of down-to-earth advice for writers of all genres. The annual membership (which ranges from $35.00-$60.00 per solar transit and requires proof of publication) includes reports on industry trends, conferences (including the prestigious Nebula Award banquet) and a chance to publish your own sample chapters on the site. But articles like "Mistakes in Writing," "You and Your Characters," and "Making Monsters," a section on electronic rights and contracts (complete with sample contracts), "Writer Beware" lists of publishing scams, and an excellent ergonomics section that covers s workstation design, VDT safety and wrist injuries are good launch pads for further exploration. --Debbie Cissell [Editor's OuterNote: I enjoyed the FAQ on the applicability of the term "sci-fi" -- and the reasoning behind their preference to see it called "speculative fiction" instead.] 8. ACW: A Haven for Christian Writers http://www.ecpa.org/acw/ The American Christian Writers' goal is to educate and motivate novice and advanced Christian writers by founding chapters and hosting conferences across America, offering publishing and training services. The Christian Communicator newsletter is geared beginning writers and speakers and offers how-to articles and current marketing information; the bimonthly Advanced Christian Writer contains trends, agents, copyright law, and advanced marketing information for the published writer. ACW also features a manuscript-review service, 1,000 teaching tapes, 100 books, writer's software, and a 36-month correspondence course through The American School of Writing. A jobs board is promised in the near future. --Peggy LeTrent [Editor's OuterNote: They win "Pullquote of the Month Award" with this relevant line from Revelation 21:5: "And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."] 9. SBWI: High-Powered Networking for Children's Writers http://www.scbwi.org Most writing organizations ignore the needs of professional (and aspiring) children's writers and illustrators. The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators fills this need, and the $50.00 annual membership fee is a small price for an excellent way to network and get feedback (many children's publishing houses only accept unsolicited mss from SCBWI members, making membership a must for aspiring children's writers and illustrators). You'll also get a quarterly newsletter filled with market information and insider's tips, access to information about local critique groups, national and regional conventions and workshops, access to group medical insurance, members-only grant competitions and book publishing guides. --Melanie Barton Zoltán OuterNotes is produced using the OuterForce Platform, which allows publishers to easily recruit and manage remote and freelance content creation and export it into their publishing platform of choice. For more information, see http://www.outerforce.com. Copyright 2000 by OuterNotes and Trotta Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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