I've had a busy week again, including a lovely trip to Edinburgh to attend the Society of Authors in Scotland annual AGM and lunch. It's a great way to catch up with what is going on in the society and to chat to old and new writing friends. I was delighted to hear that there's going to be a weekend conference in Scotland next year and I'll be signing up for that!
If anyone is thinking of joining the SoA, I'd recommend that you check out the requirements as you don't have to be a novelist to be a member. I joined it a couple of years before my first book was published because I had a good enough number of published short stories and articles. I'll mention the annual membership fee here as it has now gone up to just over £100 (I think that's right) and I do often resent paying it! However, members have to earn their place in the society so I believe it does allow us to be a part of a huge professional body of writers.
For your fee, you get a quarterly magazine and access to all the society's guides and offers, as well as constant help about contracts and such matters if needed. Only the other day, I wanted to know how we safeguard royalties in a will and discovered there is a guide on this, and just about everything else! One email later, I downloaded the free (to members) guide. It's worth having a look at the Society of Authors site to see what they offer.
Rosemary
12 comments:
Glad you had a lovely time in Edinburgh, Rosemary. I am going to tootle over to the SoA site now for a look :-) xx
Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Scotland. I've never been there but really must make a plan to go.x
Clearly you had a wonderful time, Rosemary, and it's always good to get-together with fellow writers.
Even if you don't qualify for the SoA (yet) you can still receive their email newsletter. So either way it's useful.
I'm interested to learn that you don't have to be a novelist to join the SoA. I shall click over and have a look.
Thanks, Teresa - hope you find it interesting!
That's where I live, Debs, although it's in the west coast at the moment. The Edinburgh meeting was good! Hope you get up here one day.
That's a a good tip about the SoA newsletters, Carol!
Worth a look, Julia!
I'm so glad you had a great time, Rosemary.
I have often wondered about joining the Society of Authors, but was put off by the fee. I think I'll reconsider now as it does sound very supportive. I'll have a good look at the website now and thank you so much for the advice. xxx
Glad you had a good time in Edinburgh, Rosemary.
To Debs: I'd never been to Scotland either until this year, but I really enjoyed it and would love to go again. We stayed at Loch Lomond, and then in Edinburgh for contrast. Both fabulous, with lots to see and do.
It's maybe worth having a look at what they offer, Joanna - thanks for your comment!
Thanks, Jean. That's a shame I didn't know you were at Loch Lomond - we're not far from parts of it (at the moment).
I always presumed I couldn't join as I hadn't had a book published but now I'm wondering if I could because of the number of stories I've had published.
It sounds as if this is a good organisation for writers Rosemary. Like you i think £100 is a bit steep, but then you have to make the most of what is on offer, and if you are going to the events etc I'm sure you're meeting other likeminded souls, which is always a good tonic for writers.
I'm sure you'll pass no bother, Wendy!
Yes - I love meeting up with other writers in the Scottish part of the society, Maria.
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