“When I moved to Chicago four years ago, joining the CWA was as important to me as setting up the utilities and changing our address at the post office. This association provides a real sense of community—writers supporting writers at all stages of their career. And every year it just gets better and better!”

—Kelly O’Connor McNees, author and editor


“In the Chicago Writers Association, I’ve found a community of engaged and very supportive fellow writers. It’s an organization that its hundreds of active members treasure, myself included.”

—Christine Sneed, author, teacher and Chicago Public Library’s 21st Century Award winner


“The Chicago Writers Association is a gift to any writer who understands that as joyous and rewarding writing can be, it is essentially a solitary and often frustrating pursuit. CWA helps to create personal friendships and professional networks among Chicago area writers of all genres, and its committed and talented leadership instills our writing community with a sense of common purpose and shared pride in this city’s incredible literary history.”

—Pamela Ferdinand, author and journalist


“I’ve been a member of the Chicago Writers Association for several years, and have lost count of how many times I’ve reaped encouragement, and advice, and opportunity, and friendship in this wonderful group. CWA has been an absolute touchstone for me as a writer.” 

—Mary T. Wagner, author and lawyer


“CWA connected me immediately with like minds, the brethren of writers I was looking for. It’s an incredibly welcoming group that made a huge difference in my getting continually published. I would recommend the association to any level of writer, poet, journalist, or memoirist.”

—David W. Berner, author and journalist


“I love being a member of Chicago Writers Association. In fact, I not only tell every writer I know about it, but I also encourage them to join.”

—Toneal Jackson, author, motivational speaker and radio show host


“I don’t want a writing group that has anyone who takes without giving. Every single writer has something to offer another writer.”

—Diana Laskaris, attorney, author, and founder of the Chicago Writers Association


“I have no idea where my writing is going, but I want to thank the CWA for being such an inspiration. Since joining this group I’ve taken a deep breath and finally started sharing my work with others, however small the audience may be. I’m looking forward to this personal journey; it’s an adventure that has been waiting on the sidelines for way too long.”

—Geralyn Magrady, writer, blogger and CWA member