You might think “guilds” are just fancy clubs for fancy professions that get their own glitzy award shows, like the Screen Actors Guild or the Directors Guild of America. But did you know there’s actually a guild just for authors, and your last name doesn’t have to be DiCaprio or Scorsese to join?
The Authors Guild of America offers important services and a number of benefits for members, and if you make some or all of your income as a writer, you may qualify to join the club.
What Is the Authors Guild?
The Authors Guild is a professional organization (much like a union) that supports writers by advocating for certain rights and protections.
According to their mission statement, the Authors Guild seeks to “advocate for the rights of writers by supporting free speech, fair contracts, and copyright” and “fight for a living wage.”
The Authors Guild is America’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers of all genres (including nonfiction), journalists, historians, and poets.
Formerly known as the Authors League of America, the Guild was founded in 1912, and currently has over 9,000 members. Recent issues the Guild has gotten behind include fighting the consolidation of the publishing industry through the mergers of large publishers. They’ve also pressed publishers to raise royalty rates for ebook sales.
Should You Join the Authors Guild?
The Authors Guild offers a number of benefits and services to its members, including:
- Free legal assistance: This is perhaps the most enticing and valuable benefit, as you’ll have access to attorneys who will review your publishing contract for free, assist with copyright litigation, and more.
- Liability insurance: This covers “claims of libel, invasion of privacy, copyright or trademark infringement, plagiarism, errors and omissions, and other related risks.”
- Back-in-print program: This program will help you get your old, backlisted titles back into circulation, in most cases free of charge.
- Website design: The Authors Guild will build your website for free, and host it for just $6/month.
- Health insurance assistance: Receive concierge services to identify and obtain the best ACA-compliant health care plan for you and your family, as well as the best options for dental, vision, critical care, or other supplemental insurances that you may need.
In addition to these benefits, local chapters of the Authors Guild also host informal gatherings and opportunities to meet fellow authors, in-person and virtual seminars that discuss the business of publishing, tax laws, and more, plus an annual black-tie gala and other fun social events.
Of course, these benefits come at a cost, which you’ll have to consider when deciding whether or not membership in the Authors Guild is worthwhile for you.
Guild Membership Pricing
The Authors Guild offers several tiers of membership benefits. Read the details of each to determine which level is right for you.
Professional Membership
Open to traditionally published authors and illustrators with at least one published book in the U.S.; self-published authors who have made at least $5,000 in the past 18 months from their writing; and freelance writers who have published three or more pieces or made $5,000 in the past 18 months.
Associate membership is available for self-published authors or freelance writers who have made at least $500 in the past 18 months from their writing.
Cost: $135/year, or $12/month
Benefits:
- All those listed above, plus exclusive discounts on services and goods to help you with your writing business, as well as discounts on hotels, car rentals, and more.
Emerging Writer Membership
Open to dedicated writers who are actively trying to publish their work, but have not yet published a book or do not meet the income requirements for professional membership.
Cost: $100/year, or $9/month
Benefits:
- Advice on navigating the publishing industry, marketing, social media, and more
- Website building and hosting
- Access to members-only workshops, seminars, and events
- Digital access to the Authors Guild Bulletin
- Discounted media liability insurance
- Same exclusive discounts available to Professional members
Student Membership
Open to college and graduate students interested in professional careers in writing.
Cost: $35/year
Benefits:
- Same as Emerging Writer membership, without web services.
At-Large Membership
Open to established literary agents and editors; heirs, executors, or trustees of the estates of deceased authors; attorneys and accountants representing authors; or publicists or other publishing professionals.
Cost: $135/year, or $12/month
Benefits:
- industry updates and advice; legal advice; website building and hosting; access to exclusive workshops; exclusive discounts, and more.
Cons of Joining the Authors Guild
While the Guild offers a number of valuable resources and benefits to its members, its stance on a number of issues might not appeal to all.
This article by author Lee Goldberg examines the “antiquated” views that have placed The Authors Guild in opposition of formidable publishing forces like Amazon.
Still, as you’ll see in the comments of that post, many writers maintain that the services and protection that come with Guild membership are worth the sometimes frustrating status-quo stances.
Overall, if you earn a good part of your income writing, membership in the Guild is worth considering, but only you can determine whether the price is worth it for you and whether or not you think you’ll actually take advantage of all the available benefits.
How Do You Join the Authors Guild?
If you fall into one of the following categories, you may qualify for Authors Guild membership:
- Published authors (traditional or self-published)
- Poets
- Translators
- Ghostwriters
- Illustrators
- Freelance writers
- Writers with a contract offer
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- College and graduate students
- Literary agents
- Editors
- Attorneys
- Estates/heirs of members
You can apply for membership via the Authors Guild website. Review the membership levels that we’ve outlined above to determine which level is right for you.
Join a Writing Community
Whether it’s the Authors Guild, a book club, or a local or virtual writers’ group, joining a community of writers can help you hone your craft and expand your social circle so you can discuss new ideas and find new sources of inspiration.
You can also try out some of the best networking apps for writers, or consider attending a writers conference (many have virtual events available in light of Covid-19 restrictions this year).
Have you ever been a member of the Authors Guild? Share your experience in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Pros and Cons of Writers’ Associations: Find Out If Membership Can Help You Reach Your Goals
- List of 21 Nonfiction Book Coaches Ready to Help You Finish Your Book
- How To Start A Writers’ Group
- 8 Great Networking Apps for Writers
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Hello, Kaelyn –
I’ve been a professional illustrator for years and have recently written stories of my own, which I’ve also illustrated. The Authors Guild sounds wonderful and I would like to join.
I have recently been contacted by an organization named called “authors guild international.” I’m not convinced that this is your own global group, or another group using your title and tacking “international” onto “Authors Guild. In other words, is this group under your aegis, and/or are they legitimate?
Thank you for clearing this up for me.