Being a member of a writing association

[Jaqhama]

I'm just throwing this out here to garner opinions.

I've noticed that several SF&F and Horror writers associations that have pay for memberships seem to have a serious flaw...you don't have to be a published writer in the particular genre to become a member.
In fact it would appear that you don't even have to write.

One only has to pay the required fee and hey presto...one is made a member.

My own thought is that one should surely only be issued membership if one has written, or better yet, been published?

If such is not the case (as indeed it appears) then how is it a (insert genre here) writers association?

I'm not against paying a fee to join such an organisation...but I'm against paying a fee to join a genre writers association only to discover that many of my fellow members are not writers themselves.

Perhaps I'm looking at this in the wrong way?
Enlighten me if such is the case.

Cheers: Jaq.

[benedictjjones]

well for the HWA (horror writers association) you do have to have a certain amount of stories, articles, novels, screenplays or RPG stuff published (and have been payed for it) which for me is the right way to go otherwise it's just a back slapping club that's of no real help to anyone.

[carolinec]

Have you got any examples of the kinds of associations you mean, Jaq? For example, like Ben says, the HWA IS a writers' association in that it requires you to be a published writer to join it. But the British Fantasy Society, for example, is for readers/fans generally (and "fantasy" includes SF/horror there too, not just the sword and sorcercy stuff), rather than being a writers' association - although there are, of course, many published writers who belong to it as they're readers/fans too!

So I'd say it depends on whether the association is really meant to be a writers' one, or simply for readers/fans of the genre. If it's a writers' association, then clearly you'd need some kind of "proof" that you're a writer to join it in my opinion. That would exclude me!

[Jaqhama]

Ah...well I was trying to be subtle and not mention any names.
But it's the Australian Horror Writers Association.

Here is their membership page.
I note it says for writers and their fans.

www.australianhorror.com/index.php?view=33

[carolinec]

Jan 26, 2009 18:12:04 GMT Jaqhama said:

I note it says for writers and their fans.

Ah, that's how they get away with it then! But they really shouldn't call themselves a WRITERS' association if they're not exclusively for writers, I reckon. That's my opinion anyway.

Sorry I stopped you being subtle! ;D

[Jaqhama]

And it's an opinion I lean toward myself.

[benedictjjones]

"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."

that's the rules for joining the HWA and last time i looked theyapplied to the british chapter as well, is the AHWA affiliated to the HWA???

[Jaqhama]

I don't believe the Oz group is associated with the other one, no.
I've not seen any links at their site to the HWA.