Joining HWA

What Is The Horror Writers Association?

THE HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. HWA was formed in the late 1980's with the help of many of the field's greats, including Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, and Joe Lansdale. Today, with over 400 members around the globe, it is the oldest and most respected professional organization for the much-loved writers who have brought you the most enjoyable sleepless nights of your life.

One of HWA's missions is to encourage public interest in and foster an appreciation of good Horror and Dark Fantasy literature. To that end, we offer the public areas of this web site, we sponsor or take part in occasional public readings and lectures, we publish a newsletter for booksellers and librarians, we facilitate readings and signings by horror writers, and we maintain an official presence at the major fan-based horror and fantasy conventions, such as the World Fantasy Convention and the World Horror Convention.

Also to that end, we sponsor the annual Bram Stoker Awards for superior achievement in horror literature. Named in honor of the author of the seminal horror novel Dracula, the Stokers are presented for superior writing in eight categories including traditional fiction of various lengths, poetry, and non-fiction. In addition, HWA presents an annual Lifetime Achievement Award to a living person who has made significant contributions to the writing of Horror and Dark Fantasy over the course of a lifetime.

Who Can Join HWA?

HWA's Active (voting) members are all published professional writers of horror. But you needn't be an established professional writer to join HWA. Your demonstrated intention to become a professional writer is all that's required to join HWA at the Affiliate level, because we know the first professional-level sale is often the hardest. To demonstrate your intention, all you need is one minimally paid publication in any of several categories. (This might be something as unassuming as a 500-word story for which you've received $25 or more.) Non-writing professionals with an interest in the field (such as illustrators, librarians, booksellers, producers, agents, editors, and teachers) can join at the Associate level without any publications. Check our Membership Rules to see which level you qualify for.

How Can Joining HWA Help You?

Whether you're an aspiring writer working toward your all-important first pro-level sale or a seasoned novelist with a dozen books to your credit, HWA can help further your career through networking, mentoring, information trading, and promotional resources. If you're a producer, publisher, editor, or agent, you'll find our networking resources invaluable for finding dedicated, productive writers to add to your stable. And if you're a librarian or bookseller, you'll have an inside track on talented writers, hot new books, and likely award winners.

Marketing and Promotion

Do editors care if you're an HWA member? Here's what Martin H. Greenberg, bestselling editor of over 100 anthologies and winner of the coveted Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award has to say: "When I see that a writer is a member of HWA, I know he takes his work and his profession seriously."

• PROMOTIONAL RESOURCE LISTINGS
  Members can access our regularly updated lists of complete contact information for libraries, bookstores, and reviewers as well as HWA's directory of members -- nearly a thousand names and addresses of dedicated horror readers, writers, and industry professionals.
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• DISCOUNTS ON PRINT ADVERTISING RATES
  A number of magazines offer deep discounts on advertising rates for HWA members. We also offer extremely economical member rates for advertising in the HWA Newsletter.
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• FREE WEB AND E-LETTER PUBLICITY
  Members can place free notices about new or upcoming publications in our web-based monthly newsletter and in the HWA Internet Bulletin emailed to all members twice each month.
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• CHAPTER-A-DAY HORROR PREVIEW CLUB
  HWA members can submit novels for inclusion in HWA's Horror Preview Club, offered in cooperation with Chapter-a-Day. The hundreds of readers who participate in the Horror Preview Club receive a sample chapter of a horror novel by an HWA member each day.
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• TIMELY MARKET REPORTS AND INDUSTRY NEWS
  Each edition of HWA's monthly HTML newsletter is packed with valuable horror publishing and market news, and includes a timely, comprehensive listing of horror, dark fantasy and related markets assembled exclusively for HWA by Kathryn Ptacek, editor and publisher of Gila Queen's Guide to Markets. Between newsletters, members can access our online version of Kathryn's horror market news in the Members Only area of HWA's web site. Members also receive regular email bulletins offering market and industry news.
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• HWA MEMBERS-ONLY MARKETS
  The "Horror Writers Association Presents" anthology series is open only to members. So far, the series includes Robert R. McCammon's Under the Fang, F. Paul Wilson's Freak Show, Ramsey Campbell's Deathport, Peter Straub's Ghosts, Robert Bloch's Psychos, Whitley Strieber's Aliens, and Bell, Book, and Beyond, an anthology of witchcraft-related stories by HWA Affiliate members edited by P.D. Cacek. The award-winning Museum of Horrors, edited by Dennis Etchison and published by Dorchester/Leisure, is our most recent effort. In addition, Mort Castle edited Writing Horror, an instructional book made up of essays on writing by HWA members.

Career Building

• THE HWA MENTOR PROGRAM
  We feel strongly that one of the best ways we can contribute to the health of the horror genre is by helping to educate beginning writers in the ins-and-outs of both the craft and the business of writing. Yet writing courses are expensive, never last long enough, and rarely deal with the practicalities of establishing a career in writing. For that reason, we've created the HWA Mentor Program. Participating professional horror writers are paired with Affiliate members who wish to learn a little or a lot about everything from the craft of writing to the pitfalls of contract negotiations.
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• ONLINE WRITING SEMINARS AND CHATS
  HWA holds periodic online writing seminars and chats given by established professional writers of horror. These seminars and chats are open to members only.
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• FINDING AN AGENT
  HWA helps writers find agents by providing comprehensive contact info for agents who specialize in horror.

Networking

Michael A. Arnzen, author of the Stoker-Award-winning Grave Markings, notes, "Being a member of HWA is like attending the best professional conference all year round. Not only do you get to keep your fingertips on the quivering pulse of the horror writing biz, but you make plenty of important contacts -- and perhaps more importantly, friends -- as well."

• MEETINGS
  The Horror Writers Association is represented at both the World Fantasy and World Horror conventions, as well as a number of regional conventions and informal gatherings. Plus, HWA holds an annual business meeting and Bram Stoker Awards Banquet which includes plenty of opportunities to meet and get acquainted with fellow writers, editors, agents, and publishers.
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• HWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
  Each spring, HWA holds an annual conference featuring programming specifically tailored to horror writers and other horror professionals. The conference is usually held in either New York City or Los Angeles, and is attended by agents, editors, and film producers as well as writers. The long weekend of special events culminates with the presentation of the Bram Stoker Awards at a festive banquet and ceremony. It's a great opportunity to further a writing career and have fun at the same time. For further details, click here.
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• ONLINE RESOURCES
  HWA's award-winning web site is a well-known resource for Horror aficionados on the Internet. But members gain access to additional invaluable tools through the Members Only area of the site. A complete online roster of members, a listing of Horror agents, frequently updated market and industry news, Stoker recommendations, the HWA database of Horror bookstores and reviewers, our database of libraries, and an online version of the HWA Handbook, plus much, much more are all available in this exclusive area of the site. In addition, our HWA message board and our chat room provide a constantly-available forum for networking with colleagues. HWA members can also take advantage of exclusive networking opportunities in private areas of various online services including SFF-Net and Dueling Modems. Finally, through the HWA Internet Mailer, members receive optional late-breaking email announcements between issues of our monthly HTML newsletter.
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• REGIONAL CHAPTERS
  Regional HWA chapters meet for workshops, group readings and signings, special projects, and social functions. Chapters are currently active in the United Kingdom, Ontario (Canada), New England, New York City, Hudson Valley, New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic Region, Florida, Michigan, Chicago Area, Missouri/ Lower Midwest, and Los Angeles.

In Times of Trouble

There are times when writers must pull together to solve mutual problems or come to each other's aid. HWA can be a friend to turn to when things get rough. Here's how we can help.

• HWA GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
  For the mediation or settlement of complaints arising from generalized unfair or unethical behavior on the part of individuals or organizations with whom HWA members regularly do business.
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• HARDSHIP LOANS
  The writing life can be difficult. Established HWA members experiencing financial distress are eligible to apply for small safety net loans under this program.

Membership Requirements

HWA's complete Membership Regulations are available elsewhere on this web site, but here's the short version:

• AFFILIATE MEMBERS
  Beginning horror writers with a demonstrated intention of establishing a professional writing career. Minimal publication is required, and only works of Horror or Dark Fantasy can be used as qualifying material.
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  • Sell one short story of at least 500 words, for payment of at least $25.
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  • Sell one non-fiction article, role-playing supplement, comic book script, computer gaming script, or theatrical play for payment of at least $50.
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  • Sell one book-length manuscript (40,000 words or more) for payment of at least $200.
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  • Sell a screenplay or an option on your existing screenplay for payment of at least $200.
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  • Sell three poems for total payment of at least $15.
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• ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
  Non-writer professionals associated with the Horror and Dark Fantasy field, including but not limited to agents, artists, editors, packagers, producers, and publishers.
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• ACTIVE MEMBERS
  Professional writers of Horror and Dark Fantasy. There are a number of ways to qualify as an Active member. (Only works of Horror or Dark Fantasy can be used as qualifying materials.)
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  • Sell three or more short stories, articles, or reviews totalling 7,500 words or more, for payment of at least 5¢ per word.
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  • Sell one book-length manuscript for a minimum advance of $2,000.
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  • Sell one theatrical film script, a 90-minute TV movie, or two 30-minute teleplays for at least WGA minimum rates.
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  • Sell three full-length comic book scripts at professional rates and/or with professional print-run and distribution levels.
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  • Sell three 10,000 word Role-playing Game project or one 40,000 word project for a payment of at least 5 ¢ per word.
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  • Sell a script for a computer game or a single work of interactive fiction intended for electronic media for at least $2,000.
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  • Sell a computer game for a minimum payment of $2,000, regardless of length or memory usage, or create a piece of shareware or other work produced without payment in advance, with a paid circulation exceeding 1,000 copies.
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  • Sell 10 poems at 25 ¢ per line or $5 each, or sell a poetry collection for an honorarium of at least $50.

Dues

HWA offers three types of memberships, all of which include the basic benefits mentioned above. They are:

• INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
  Dues for individual Affiliate, Associate, and Active members are $65.00 per year. This option includes one Directory entry and one userID for access to HWA's Members Only website.
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• CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS
  Corporate members receive one Directory entry (status is automatically "Associate") and up to 10 userIDs for access to HWA's Members Only website. All official street mail is sent to a single specified address. Dues for businesses are $110.00 per year.
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• FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS
  Family membership holders (up to three members of a family, whose status will vary according to their individual qualifications) each receive separate listings in the Directory and separate userIDs for access to the HWA Members Only website. All official street mail is sent to a single specified address. Dues for families are $85.00 per year.
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HWA's dues year is the same as the calendar year, running from January 1 through December 31. If you join between March 31st and November 30, your dues will be prorated by a specific amount, depending on the date of your application. However, prorating applies only to individuals, businesses, and families who have not been members of HWA at any time in the previous two years.

Applying for HWA Membership

To apply for membership, simply move to the Application area of our web site.

Thank you for your interest in HWA!

Write to hwa@horror.org if you still have questions about HWA.