Membership

There are five classes of members in the Guild:
Full, Associate, Business, Student, and Honorary (Lifetime).

MWG Member Benefits:

Career Milestone in an organization shared by previous members like Mark Twain and other legendary Missouri Writers

Listing on speakers’ bureau—full members only

Opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors—full and business members only

Books listed in our bookstore

Access to writers’ resources

And more!

Full member: A full member is eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, has all voting rights, may have a listing on the Speakers’ Bureau, and is eligible to participate in marketing events such as the Missouri Library Conference or Kansas City Literature Festival).

Membership requirements for this level are: Anyone who has met at least one of the following requirements is eligible to apply for full membership in the Guild (all membership applications are reviewed and decided upon by a membership committee):
(1) Authorship or co-authorship of a published book through a non-subsidy publisher, either in print or e-publication, or via independent or self- publishing wherein the author does not pay a third party to publish the book.
(2) Publication of three substantive articles, stories, poems, or comparable materials in one or more newspapers, magazines, anthologies, or trade publications in print or electronic formats.
(3) Sale of one serial or novelette to a periodical.
(4) Sale of one play to a producer, whether on royalty or fee basis.
(5) Sale of one screenplay, or radio or television script.
(6) Editor or publisher of commercial books, magazines, newspapers, or literary publication, which does not accept fees from its authors.

[Full Members pay $40]

Associate member: An MWG associate member cannot vote on MWG business issues and may not serve as one of the titled Board Officers such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer. Associate members may serve on other Board positions such as members-at-large on the Board of Directors.

Membership requirements for this level are met by one of two ways.

1. One publication in a newsletter, pamphlet, magazine, newspaper, anthology, or on a Web site. Authorship or co-authorship of a published book through a subsidy publisher, either in print or E-publication, wherein the author pays a third party to publish the book.
2. Aspiring Author who has not published and is a member of a Chapter member of the MWG.

[Associate Members pay $45]

Business Member: Certain businesses or professionals in the book industry may qualify for business membership in the MWG. Business members will have access to the Members Only section and will be afforded opportunities for sponsorships, premier website listings, social media and other promotion, and discounts on exhibitor/vendor fees at MWG events. Business members are not eligible to serve in Officer positions on the Board of Directors.

[Annual dues are $75]

Student member: An MWG student member receives all benefits listed above except student members may not vote on MWG business issues and may not serve as any position on the Board of Directors.

Membership requirements for this level are full-time or part-time college students who have an interest in the writing profession.

[Student Members pay $25]

Honorary (Lifetime) member: An MWG honorary (lifetime) member is an MWG member who has been honored by the Board of Directors as a person who has donated time and talent to the MWG for many years. They have the same benefits as full time members. There are no dues for honorary or lifetime members and the status does not expire.