Literary Diversity
As an organization which believes in the power of words, we realize we haven’t said enough about the Black Lives Matter movement, racism, police brutality and in support of Black writers in our community and beyond. Within our organizing board, we have received feedback on how we can do better. We have been taking the time to listen, to learn more, and to compile a list of resources to begin the conversation.
As writers, there’s only one sentence we could write to begin: Black lives matter, have always mattered, and we need to do whatever we can to support the Black community.
CLICK HERE for our full statement, and a list of resources.
CWA Internship/Apprenticeship Program
The Chicago Writers Association (CWA) is looking for interns to help with various events and tasks that CWA conducts throughout the year. The length of internships vary based on need and availability. Duties and responsibilities are varied. Positions are remote-based with in-person opportunities at CWA events.
Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor or Master degree in creative writing, journalism, or related field
- Attention to detail
- Task-oriented
- Self-starter
- Ability to work online or in-person, depending on event or task
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Internship/Apprenticeship with The Chicago Writers Association is for school credit or experience only. THIS IS NOT A PAID OPPORTUNITY.
Please send a cover letter that briefly states your experience and your interest in working with the Chicago Writers Association and resume/CV to internships@chicagowrites.org
Resource Topics
- Advertising/Promotional Items: Business cards, bookmarks, postcards, t-shirts, etc.
- Book Design Services
- Book Reviews
- Book/Library Locators
- Chicagoland Publishing Houses
- Chicago Literary Agents
- Chicago’s Lit Scene — Indie book stores, cafes, clubs, and other writer-friendly places
- Conferences/Writing Groups
- Courses
- Editing Services
- Exchange Feedback/Build Community
- Finding an Agent
- Formatting Your Manuscript
- MFA Programs
- Podcasts
- Promoting Your Book/Manuscript
- Publishing Opportunities
- Recurring Chicago Reading Series
- Self-Publishing Tips
- Style Guidelines, and Grammar and Punctuation Tips
- Starting a Blog
- Submitting your manuscript: Query and Pitch Tips
Conferences/Writing Groups
Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference
Northwestern Summer Writers' Conference
Chicago Writers Association
(Join us on Facebook; follow us on Twitter!)
Writer’s Studio at the University of Chicago
Illinois Woman’s Press Association
Teen Writers and Artists Project
Sisters in Crime Chicago Chapter
Chicago North Chapter of Romance Writers of America
Windy City Chapter of Romance Writers of America
Independent Writers of Chicago
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Illinois Chapter
Chicago’s Lit Scene
Indie book stores, cafes, clubs, and other writer-friendly places
Writer’s Studio at the University of Chicago: Offers downtown and online writing classes as well as community events around Chicago
Tenx9, a Monthly Storytelling Event
StoryStudio Chicago: the center for writing and related arts with locations in Chicago and the North Shore
Recurring Chicago Reading Series
Chicago Literati’s Live Lit Roundup
Tenx9, a Monthly Storytelling Event
READING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, first Wedneday/month, 7:30PM, $3, Sheffields
ESSAY FIESTA, third Monday/month, 7 PM, FREE, The Book Cellar
UPTOWN POETRY SLAM, Sundays 7 PM, $6, The Green Mill
QUICKIES! second Tuesday/month, 7:30, FREE, Innertown Pub
WINDY CITY STORY SLAM, last Tuesday/month, 8PM, $5 (suggested), Quennect 4 Gallery
SUNDAY SALON CHICAGO, last Sunday/month FREE
MFA Programs
Courses
Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp: The Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp & Writing Retreat offers a pair of parallel residential writing programs led by published authors and editors designed to help you reach your publishing goals. One registration fee includes room, board, and all program expenses.
Writer’s Studio at the University of Chicago: Offers downtown and online writing classes as well as community events around Chicago.
Hypertext Studio: Study at any level, from beginning writer to expert writer. Hypertext Studio is for writers who are serious about honing their storytelling skills but aren’t interested in pursuing a degree.
Chicago Dramatist’s Playwrights’ Studio
Discovery Center Writing Classes
Off Campus Writers’ Workshop. Weekly workshops Thursday mornings in Winnetka.
The Second City Writing Program
The Foundation for Light Verse: Wordplay Workshop and other programs
UW Madison Online Workshops: Fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry. One-on-one instruction via email.
Podcasts
Chicagoland Publishing Houses
Chicago Center for Literature and Publishing
Chicago Literary Agents
Browne & Miller Literary Associates
Finding an Agent
Publishing Opportunities
Duotrope: a subscription-based service for writers that offers an extensive, searchable database of current fiction, poetry, and non-fiction markets, a calendar of upcoming deadlines, a personal submissions tracker, and useful statistics compiled from the millions of data points we’ve gathered on the publishers we list.
Formatting Your Manuscript
William Shunn’s Guide to Proper Manuscript Format
Style Guidelines, and Grammar and Punctuation Tips
Word Tips' A Guide to Grammar and Punctuation
Submitting your manuscript: Query and Pitch Tips
How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman
Marcus Sakey’s “Pitch Perfect” & “Query-Go-Round”
Book Reviews
Advertising/Promotional Items: Business cards, bookmarks, postcards, t-shirts, etc.
Earthly Charms: Specializing in Promotion for Writers
Promoting Your Book/Manuscript
Bookhitch: a free book listing service
Scott Nicholson’s How to Write an Author Press Release
Editing Services
Christina Rodriguez Online: web design, writing and editing, web content management, social media management, graphic design, poetry editing and consulting services
JEM Edits: proofreading, copyediting, developmental editing, book review, and writing services
The Book Don: editorial support to writers at all stages of the process
OutofControlEmail: Chicago-based freelancer Jason Pettus offers to manage people's email accounts and his skills in coding, copy-editing, personal assistant work, ebook creation, etc.
UW Madison Critique Services: One-on-one, via email or mail, in-depth
Janina R. Williams: Writer/Editor/Consultant
Word Bird Editorial Services: manuscript evaluation, content editing, copyediting, editorial evaluation
Starting a Blog
How to Start a Blog That Makes Money
Book/Library Locators
WorldCat.org: world’s largest library catalog
BookCrossing: find books, share books, and meet fellow book lovers.
Self-Publishing Tips
Book Design Services
Affiliates/Partners
Testimonials
Contact
Join CWA
Member Directory
My Account
Writers Conference
Schedule
Scholarships
Blog
Write City Magazine
Archives
Submission Guidelines
Write City Review
Windy City Reviews
Speaker Registration
Book of the Year
Spirit Award
First Chapter Contest
Resources
Home
Chicago Writers Association
info@chicagowrites.org
Make a Difference!