"Our Union has offered professional development, friendship along a lonely road, and help towards economic survival. It would have been far harsher and more difficult without her."
— Patricia Morley

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"For me, membership in The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) is a lifeline. In pursuing the mainly solitary working life of a freelance writer, I've found it invaluable to have contact and interaction with other members and to have access to the informative services that TWUC offers to its members through its committed staff and legal counsel.

"Whether it concerns matters of craft, advice on getting published, receiving moral support, sharing relevant experience through the listserv, or finding like-minded fellowship at literary and social events, membership has supplied me with answers to queries, solutions to problems and the inspiration to persist in spite of obstacles that sometimes arise. It has also given me lasting connections with lively, intelligent people and a list of 'books to be read' that's long enough to see me through several lifetimes!" — Barbara Williams

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"We need writers to record, interpret, and forecast our lives. We need writers to provoke us, entertain us, instruct us. And, while we need writers to develop distinctive individual voices, they often need to speak out as a group in any number of forums. The Writers’ Union of Canada has given writers that collective forum."
— Dave Williamson

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"I've been a member of TWUC since 1985, when I went to my first AGM in fear and trembling. With one solitary book published, I was afraid of the scorn and wrath of the "biggies" who were there. Instead I found friendship, support, and lots of fun.
In more tangible ways, I am grateful for TWUC's work in helping to establish PLR and ACCESS Copyright, and I have benefited greatly over the years from The Artists in the Schools program and the National Readings program. Serving on National Council was a privilege and a pleasure."
— Karleen Bradford

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"There is a real need for a strong and tough-minded association of professional working…writers, a union which will try to improve conditions in that extremely insecure trade, the shapers of books."
— Margaret Laurence

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"To be honest I would have to say I applied for TWUC membership for the wrong reasons, hoping for some advantage, an edge, a possibility of personal benefit (regardless how ill-defined) professional association might provide. Selfish self-interest I suppose; scarcely a lofty motivation.

"Of course, I could make excuses. One can always justify one’s motivations. I could say that I had been isolated, brutalized, near hammered into a blubbering pulp by this marvellous industry of ours, and that would be true, yes, though scarcely a valid justification. Indeed, I was so uncomfortable with my reasons for joining I was prepared to allow my membership to lapse. One year, a hundred and eighty bucks less in my pockets and with no changes in personal circumstance, nothing to offer and seeing no way to benefit through association; why carry on with writing, let alone membership? And then I attended my first AGM in Toronto in May of 2005 with the vast wealth of twenty-four dollars in my pocket and two dollars and seventy-five cents in the bank.

"That was difficult for me. I’ve never done well in social settings. I don’t hear well. I am infamous for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time: a great conversation killer. Shy to the point of paralysis. In fact, I only attended because my partner, Jan Porter, she who is not to be denied, compelled me to do so. “No, John; you have to go.” And so I went.

"Something happened at that AGM. I saw committed people. I became aware for the first time of the nature and breadth of work TWUC and its committees engage in, and the issues affecting us all as writers. What was more, I knew I had to find a way, no matter how insignificant, to contribute at least some of my time and effort to this collective force of ours.

"I may initially have joined for less than exalted reasons, but the rewards membership and the opportunities participation has brought have far exceeded anything I could have imagined or expected: friendships, knowledge and new insights, and above all else, fellowship.
— John Britt

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"For those engaged in the solitary pursuit of writing TWUC provides an invaluable connection with other writers and with the business of writing and publishing in general a source of information, good counsel and support in a field fraught with hazards."
— Helen McLean

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"The Writers' Union, with its newsletter, guides and professional advice, is an excellent source of information and camaraderie with other professional writers. The Union's listserv has actually turned out to be a good research tool, as members ask and answer questions on all kinds of subjects, and it's a good informal means of keeping abreast of the latest developments in all matters pertaining to writing and publication, such as anthology fees, publishers' behaviour, protection of copyright etc. The workshops and panel presentations at the Annual General Meetings provide a more formal and planned means of accessing this professional information. Politically, the Union has proved itself very strong in influencing public policy on matters ranging from important international issues to bread-and-butter matters such as Access Copyright and Payment for Public Use. I consider the cost of annual dues and the AGM fees very good value for money." — Bill Schermbrucker

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"Joining the Writers' Union when my first book came out nearly ten years ago made me feel like I was a real writer. It brought me into a community of writers, through the listserv, committee work, and meeting face to face at the AGM.

"Also, renewing my membership with TWUC each year is the least I can do, seeing as TWUC has done so much for me, for example, Access Copyright, PLR, and defending our freedom to write. As a member, I enjoy benefits like Writers-in-the-Schools, the Public Readings Program and the listserv.

"Thank you TWUC for being there for me and all Canadian writers."
— Marsha Skrypuch

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"We are faced with such tough times ahead that our survival could well depend on our sticking together."
— Maggie Siggins

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"At my first meeting of TWUC, I was astonished at the high level of debate, the attention to rules, and the sheer delight of a high-level gab-fest… I bless TWUC when I cash my PLR cheque."
— Blanche Howard

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"Membership in the Writers Union has sustained me through many years. We were lucky to have an active membership group in Ottawa supported by Karleen Bradford and others which, unfortunately did not continue. However, the Writers' Union has always mentioned any of my publications, even if no other reviewer did, and when I received the Heritage/Toronto award for my war time diary Sun in Winter in 2004, this was mentioned as well as many other more lucrative awards. I worked as an artist most of my life and did not start writing until my Master's Thesis on Canadian Women Artists was published in '94 - on my 80th birthday! My fourth book, Sun in Winter was published on my 90th birthday. We still live on a Quebec farm, built our own log house from an old Irish homestead and enjoy skiing in winter. The Writers' Union has kept me in touch with other writers and with many events in which I participate even if I cannot attend them. In addition, through the Newsletter we have found a wonderful house sitter - another writer - who has become a permanent friend. Public Lending Rights and Access Copyright have been of practical help, more reliable than royalties. Keep up the good work, all the best."
— Gunda Lambton

Membership Application Form (451 KB PDF)

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