We understand both the difficulties and the joys of being a writer — from the isolation, frustration, financial concerns, and the need for information and assistance to the elation that comes with each publication.
Benefits of Membership
By joining the Union, you can benefit from the Union's many program and services:
- Opportunities to meet and network with other professional writers across Canada, including through regional meetings, professional development sessions, social events, and the Annual General Meeting
- Assistance with publishing contracts and grievances
- Access to TWUC webinars
- Access to the Writers’ How-to Series, including the Directory of Canadian Publishers, the Contracts Self-Help Package, and professional development publications
- Be paid to mentor, or be mentored by, another writer through the Union’s Mentorship Microgrants
- Access to paid readings programs, which fund writers for public readings and school presentations
- Subscription to Write, the Union’s quarterly magazine on the craft and business of writing in Canada
- Regular updates on the work of the Union through our e-newsletters
- Eligibility to be a paid evaluator for our Manuscript Evaluation Service
- Access to exclusive resources provided by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
- A member profile page on TWUC’s website where you can promote yourself and your work
- Access to a group health benefits plan, for an additional fee, which includes a drug plan, hospital coverage, out-of-hospital benefits, vision care, hearing benefits, dental care, and specialists’ services. (To be eligible, members must be under 71 years of age, have a valid Provincial Health Card, and live in Canada at the time coverage becomes effective.)
Become a Member
Eligibility
There are two pathways to membership:
- Simplified Application: Applicants may complete this form if they have published a book that meets the following criteria:
- They are the sole author of the book.
- Co-authored books should be submitted through the Extended Application form (see below).
- The book is full-length.
- Full-length books must be at least 49 pages, except for poetry and picture books. Books shorter than 49 pages are considered chapbooks and can be submitted through the Extended Application form (see below).
- The book has been traditionally published through a commercial or university press.
- A book is considered traditionally published if the author has signed a royalty-paying contract with the publisher, did not pay any costs towards the book's production, and was not obligated to purchase a certain number of books as part of the author agreement. In all other cases, the book is considered self-published. All self-published books should be submitted through the Extended Application form and will be reviewed by the TWUC Membership Committee for professionalism and commercial intent.
- Educational publishers that publish textbooks are not considered university presses.
- The book is primarily composed of text, unless it is a children's picture book. Textbooks, directories, manuals, books of lists, cookbooks, art books, and photography books are not eligible.
- The book has reached its publication date.
- For books that are forthcoming, applicants may complete the Extended Application instead, which awards 4 points for a contract offer (see below).
- Extended Application: Applicants who have not published a book that meets all of the above criteria should complete the Extended Application form, which determines eligibility using a points system that recognizes professional publication in a variety of formats and commitment to craft.
- You can see the Membership Points System here.
- For authors submitting a self-published book for consideration, a full digital copy of the book is required for review by the TWUC Membership Committee. Please be prepared to provide the following in your application: a complete digital copy of your book in PDF or EPUB format including front and back covers, marketing and sales information, ISBN, and details on any editor, publicist, or design services used.
Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and/or self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) person born or resident in Canada.
Not yet eligible? The Union offers lots of information on getting published.
There are two pathways to membership:
- Simplified Application: Applicants may complete this form if they have published a book that meets the following criteria:
- They are the sole author of the book.
- Co-authored books should be submitted through the Extended Application form (see below).
- The book is full-length.
- Full-length books must be at least 49 pages, except for poetry and picture books. Books shorter than 49 pages are considered chapbooks and can be submitted through the Extended Application form (see below).
- The book has been traditionally published through a commercial or university press.
- A book is considered traditionally published if the author has signed a royalty-paying contract with the publisher, did not pay any costs towards the book's production, and was not obligated to purchase a certain number of books as part of the author agreement. In all other cases, the book is considered self-published. All self-published books should be submitted through the Extended Application form and will be reviewed by the TWUC Membership Committee for professionalism and commercial intent.
- Educational publishers that publish textbooks are not considered university presses.
- The book is primarily composed of text, unless it is a children's picture book. Textbooks, directories, manuals, books of lists, cookbooks, art books, and photography books are not eligible.
- The book has reached its publication date.
- For books that are forthcoming, applicants may complete the Extended Application instead, which awards 4 points for a contract offer (see below).
- They are the sole author of the book.
- Extended Application: Applicants who have not published a book that meets all of the above criteria should complete the Extended Application form, which determines eligibility using a points system that recognizes professional publication in a variety of formats and commitment to craft.
- You can see the Membership Points System here.
- For authors submitting a self-published book for consideration, a full digital copy of the book is required for review by the TWUC Membership Committee. Please be prepared to provide the following in your application: a complete digital copy of your book in PDF or EPUB format including front and back covers, marketing and sales information, ISBN, and details on any editor, publicist, or design services used.
Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and/or self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) person born or resident in Canada.
Not yet eligible? The Union offers lots of information on getting published.
Application Process
Please review the above eligibility criteria carefully before starting your application.
Once you have created an account in the TWUC Member Portal, you will be directed to the appropriate form.
The Union only reviews submissions accompanied by an application fee, which must be paid after submitting the form. If your application is accepted, the fee will be applied to your first year of membership. If your application is not accepted, your fee will be refunded in full.
Every application must pass before the Union’s Membership Committee for approval. This process usually takes 2-4 weeks for Simplified Applications and 6-10 weeks for Extended Applications (though it may take longer in some cases). A delayed response from TWUC does not in any way reflect the quality of your application.
Please review the above eligibility criteria carefully before starting your application.
Once you have created an account in the TWUC Member Portal, you will be directed to the appropriate form.
The Union only reviews submissions accompanied by an application fee, which must be paid after submitting the form. If your application is accepted, the fee will be applied to your first year of membership. If your application is not accepted, your fee will be refunded in full.
Every application must pass before the Union’s Membership Committee for approval. This process usually takes 2-4 weeks for Simplified Applications and 6-10 weeks for Extended Applications (though it may take longer in some cases). A delayed response from TWUC does not in any way reflect the quality of your application.
Rejoining the Union?
Former members wishing to rejoin do not need to reapply. You can rejoin the Union by contacting the Union at info@writersunion.ca.
Former members wishing to rejoin do not need to reapply. You can rejoin the Union by contacting the Union at info@writersunion.ca.
Cost
Did you know that membership dues can be claimed as a tax-deductible business expense?
The Union also offers the following voluntary discounted membership rates:
