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The Society aims to encourage literary achievement, to uphold professional standards, to promote social contact with fellow writers and to defend the dignity and prestige of the writing profession in all its aspects. The SWWJ is the UK's longest-established Society for professional women writers. Founded in 1894 by newspaper proprietor Joseph Snell Wood, the Society has grown to become an international association, and is affiliated to women's associations worldwide. In 2004, the Society took the decision to invite men who are published writers to join us as Associate Members. We also welcome non-writing Friends from across the publishing industry and beyond. In the words of our current President, Victoria Wood, CBE, “from pen and ink to Twitter, it's one hundred and twenty years of creativity and communication”. To learn more about the SWWJ, download a copy of our 120th Anniversary Supplement. |
2014 sees the 120th anniversary of the SWWJ and we are proud to celebrate the important contribution that women writers have made – and continue to make – to the world of journalism and literature.Society members and non-members came together to mark the occasion on 14th October with a special service at London's St Bride's Church, Fleet Street – known as the "spiritual home of the media" – and with a luncheon at Stationers' Hall, a venue associated with the written word for over five centuries. The celebratory service included music from the renowned St Bride's choir, as well as readings and addresses from SWWJ Honorary Life President, Baroness Williams of Crosby, freelance journalist Libby Purves, and SWWJ Patron Simon Brett. The Society President, Victoria Wood, joined us at the luncheon and the event concluded with a talk by Ann Widdecombe.If you would like to know more about our reasons for celebration – our history, our current activities and our plans for the future – you can download a copy of our 120th Anniversary Supplement. |
Membership
SWWJ membership is open to professional workers in literature, drama or journalism anywhere in the world. Full and associate members must be proposed and seconded by two bona fide writing professionals who have personal knowledge of their work.
Full Member
A woman writer who is a bona fide professional worker in literature, drama or journalism. U.K. membership £45 p.a.; overseas membership £30 (sterling).
Associate Member
A male writer who is a bona fide professional worker in literature, drama or journalism. He may participate in all Society activities, but is not eligible to stand for Council. U.K. membership £30 p.a.; overseas membership £25 (sterling).
Friend
Non-writing supporters of the Society and its aims; also engaged in, or concerned with, allied forms of literary or journalistic work e.g. editors, publishers, agents, theatre directors, illustrators, photographers, librarians. Friends may participate in all the social activities of the Society. £20 p.a. (sterling).
- There is a one-off Joining Fee of £15 for all new members, apart from Friends.
Benefits of membership
The Woman Writer
Published five times per year, “The Woman Writer” is the Society’s in-house magazine. Contents include members’ news, articles of interest, genre-specific pages, reviews, market and competition information.
Website
To keep abreast of technological changes, we are updating our website. This current page is a taste of what is to come, but our old site, with existing information can still be visited here.
Press Card
For Full/Associate Members, the press card gives useful access for bona fide copy and research at exhibitions, conferences and events etc. across the country.
Events
Our Spring Festival, Autumn Lunch and Christmas celebration take place in London. They feature guest speakers, prize presentations and networking opportunities.
Workshops
In different genres including journalism, fiction, novels, non-fiction, poetry and drama. Our Drama Coordinator is director, actor, writer and producer, Martin Cort.
Regional Groups
Local meetings are held across the country, often with guest speakers or workshop elements.
Email Information Loop
A facility that provides uptodate market and other information and allows members to keep in touch and share their news.
Facebook and Twitter
For keeping in touch and publicising news, events and activities to the wider public.
In-house and Open Competitions
In all genres with cash and prestigious trophy prizes.
Manuscript Advice Service
Advice and critiques are available across all genres from specialists among the Society members.
Publishing
Scriptora is the Society’s own mentored self-publishing imprint. Manuscripts submitted for publication are subject to a rigorous selection process before acceptance.
Welfare
The Society has a benevolent fund offering support to members in times of sickness or special need.
Who's who
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Victoria Wood CBE
Sir Tim Rice, The Earl of Stockton, Lord Quirk, Simon Brett, Baroness Howard of Lympne (novelist Sandra Howard).
Anne Fine, Lady Antonia Fraser, Victoria Glendinning, Jacqueline Wilson, Penny Vincenzi, Peter Lovesey.
Jean Bowden, Joyce Elsden, Jocelyn Glegg, Barbara Haynes, Jennie Lisney, Mary Rensten, Jean Marian Stevens, Valerie Dunmore, Jean McConnell, Jean Morris |
Council Officers & responsibilities 2014/2015Caretaker Chair: Valerie Dunmore Vice Chair: Barbara Field-Holmes Hon. Treasurer: Benita Cullingford (Acting) Membership Secretary: Jennie Lisney Editor, The Woman Writer: Barbara Field-Holmes Press/PR: Doreen Friend Events: Trudy Lewis Markets: Jean Morris Overseas/Regions: Jean Morris Archives: Sylvia Kent Welfare: Jennie Lisney Competitions (pro. tem.): Mary Rensten Poetry Coordinator: Gwyneth Box Drama: Benita Cullingford Book Reviews: Colleen McMath Chawton House Liaison: Pamela Birley Overseas trips: Joyce Elsden |
President 
We are currently updating our website and online presence and this page is just a taste of what is to come. You can still view the old website.
A number of our members' profile pages can be found here.
One of the services we offer to our members is mentored self-publishing through the Scriptora imprint. Details of our Scriptora mentored self-publishing service and the books Scriptora has published can be found here.
Get in touch
Contact Info
Room 2, Aileen McHugo Building
Westmore Green, Tatsfield
Westerham, Kent
TN16 2AG
Email: enquiries@swwj.co.uk
Write to us
© Copyright 2014. Society of Women Writers and Journalists. All rights reserved.