Good News from the Writers’ Union of Canada

The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate than by voting unanimously to pass a resolution to admit membership to self-published authors? This warrants a big applause for me, as I’m both traditionally and proudly self-published, and have long been irritated by the way certain organizations, not to mention conferences, have treated self-published authors like second class citizens. The resolution will be presented to members in a referendum, and a two-thirds majority will be needed to make this official.

As you’ll note from the link to TWUC’s press release, three criteria must be met before gaining membership. The books must have an ISBN, the author must “demonstrate commercial intent” and also be peer reviewed. You can read more about this at http://www.writersunion.ca/news/writers-union-Canada-votes-admit-self-published-authors#.UbPBKC_2CXA.gmail

The times are indeed changing, however, as so many traditionally published authors have opted for self-publishing, and self-published authors are making bestseller lists and gaining readers all over the world, how can any organization not review their own regulations and requirements? As someone who was self-published years before I signed with a publisher, I’ve never belonged to the TWUC, but you know, I’ll give this serious consideration, after the referendum, and more information about what exactly is involved in the peer review process. Every club and organization has conditions with respect to joining, so let’s hope the TWUC's process is a reasonable and fair one.