January 2019
Our Christmas Tea
Members and guests gathered at the NLC on a rainy day in London for our annual Christmas tea. Our entertainment this year – A Christmas Cornucopia – was provided by four professional actors, reading a collection of monologues, some comic, some dramatic, written by Doreen Friend and presented and directed by Martin Cort. We then enjoyed a delicious tea, including fresh scones, mince pies and cake, with plenty of opportunity to mingle and chat. With a book table displaying members’ books, a gift table and a grand raffle, we were never short of something to do! There will be a full report and lots of photos in the New Year issue of The Woman Writer.
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 aspiring writers and non-writing Friends from across the publishing industry and beyond.
In 2016 we were delighted to welcome Ann Widdecombe as our new Hon Life President, filling the position left vacant by Shirley Williams, who stepped down in 2014.
In 2017 Baroness Floella Benjamin agreed to become our new President, following in the footsteps of the late and much missed Victoria Wood.
To learn more about the SWWJ, explore this site, check out our Social Media feeds (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram).
Membership Full details
SWWJ membership is open to professional writers 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
Full membership is open to women writers of all ages who are bona fide professional workers in literature, drama or journalism.
Associate Member
Men who are bona fide professional workers in literature, drama or journalism may join the Society as Associate Members.
Friend
Supporters of the Society and its aims, including aspiring writers and others engaged in allied forms of work.
Writer's Debut
A special one-year membership open to new and unpublished writers, including a full manuscript critique. £145 To apply, please download and complete the form and return it to the address shown with your fee.
Benefits of membership
The Woman Writer
Email newsletter
Website
Press Card
Events
Workshops
Regional Groups
Email Information Loop
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
In-house and Open Competitions
Manuscript Appraisal Service
Publishing
Welfare
...and more
Who's who
Hon. Life President
The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG
President
Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, OBE DL (Floella Benjamin)
Patrons
Sir Tim Rice, The Earl of Stockton, Simon Brett, OBE, Baroness Howard of Lympne (novelist Sandra Howard).
Honorary Members
Lady Antonia Fraser, Victoria Glendinning, Jacqueline Wilson, Peter Lovesey, Keith Taylor, Michelle Harriman, Penny Holroyde.
Vice Presidents
Doris Corti, Valerie Dunmore, Joyce Elsden, Jocelyn Glegg, Sylvia Kent, Jennie Lisney, Jean Morris, Mary Rensten, Jean Marian Stevens.
Council Officers & responsibilities 2018
Chair: Barbara Field-Holmes 
Vice-chair: Rebecca Harding
Hon. Treasurer: Benita Cullingford
Hon. Secretary: Janice Grande
Marketing Co-ordinator: Michelle Harriman
Editor, The Woman Writer: Carol Cannavan
Press/PR/Newsletter: Doreen Friend
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram: Vivien Brown
Acting Membership Secretary: Val Dunmore
Events: Janice Grande
Events (Speakers): Pamela Payne
Archives: Sylvia Kent
Welfare: Jennie Lisney
Competitions: Vivien Brown
Manuscript Appraisal Service: Vivien Brown
Book Reviews: Pamela Birley
Chawton House Liaison: Pamela Birley
Overseas Liaison: Doreen Friend
Writer's Debut: Benita Cullingford
Website: Gwyneth Box
Minutes Secretary: Vacant
SCRIPTORA: Mary Rensten
Katherine Bolton
Consultants
Marketing Consultant: Patrick Forsyth
Drama Consultant: Martin Cort
Associated organisations
The Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS)
Ensuring authors receive fair payment for copying and other secondary uses of their work.
Chawton House
Internationally respected research and learning centre for the study of early women's writing from 1600 to 1830.
The National Liberal Club
Venue for many of our celebratory events and for Council meetings from 2018.
London Press Club
Long established organisation with links to SWWJ.