Literary Organizations

• Introduction
• Other Resources

Introduction

There are many literary organizations that can help writers in a variety of ways. Poets & Writers offers a number of resources that can be useful to writers, including Poets & Writers Magazine; the website pw.org; and the Readings & Workshops program, which funds writers in New York State, California, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Tucson, and Washington, D.C.

There are both regional and national literary organizations that help writers by providing them with tools, advice, technical assistance, grants, awards, readings, and workshops. Here is a small sample of organizations to help jump-start your research.

The Academy of American Poets supports poets at all stages of their careers. PEN America defends freedom of expression and offers grants to writers and translators. The Authors Guild is a national membership organization that provides advice on contracts. The National Writers Union is a labor union representing freelance writers. Pen Parentis provides resources to writers who are also parents. Cave Canem is committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets. Kundiman is dedicated to nurturing generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature. CantoMundo supports Latinx poets and hosts an annual retreat. Mizna is a grassroots organization centering the work of Arab and Southwest Asian and North African writers. Lambda Literary presents annual awards and provides resources for writers of LGBTQ literature.

Other Resources

You can find other literary organizations by conducting an online search, contacting your local librarian, checking with the creative writing or English department of a local college or university, and browsing in the resource sections of bookstores. You can also search for Writing Centers in our Literary Places database.

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