Current members pay a one-time initiation fee of $2,500 for Current membership. They also pay dues calculated as 1.5% of gross writing income, plus $25 per quarter. Associate members pay an annual service fee of $100 for a maximum period of three years.
The Authors Guild is America’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers. It provides advocacy on issues of free expression and copyright protection.
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing film, television, radio, and new media writers. It was formed in 1954 from five organizations representing writers. It has around 20,000 members.
Professional authors and writers, including freelance and self-published writers, who earn an income from their work can join. The membership fee is $125 per year for new members. Members get access to seminars, events, educational opportunities and connections to other authors.
The Writers Guild of Canada is an association of over 2,300 English screenwriters. To qualify for membership, you must have a writing contract signed in the past two years with a producer signatory to one of their agreements.
The Authors Guild membership costs $100 per year for professional writers and $50 for students. Members get legal assistance, advocacy, events, and industry access. To copyright a script costs $35, which provides more security than just Writers Guild registration.
Members get media liability insurance, website hosting, workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, bulletin subscriptions, and discounts.
The Writers Guild of America West is for TV, film, radio, and media writers. To join, writers must have a contract with an employer signed to a Guild agreement.
The Producer-Writers Guild of America Pension Plan provides retirement benefits. Current Writers Guild members pay $2,500 initiation fee and 1.5% of income plus $25 per quarter. Associate members pay an annual service fee of $100 for up to three years.