international association professional writers and editors

international association professional writers and editors

The Importance of Joining an International Association of Professional Writers and Editors

1. Benefits of Joining an International Association

Health and dental insurance has never been considered a guarantee for writers and editors working on a contractual, freelance, or a part-time basis, yet many full-time employees are finding themselves in the same unfortunate circumstances as the job market grows more competitive. IAPWE will have the ability to offer its members some security in the form of health and dental insurance benefits, ensuring that their careers can continue to grow. Whether you are a veteran, an intermediate writer or editor, or just beginning your journey, such opportunities are not to be overlooked.

Membership in an international organization is accompanied by many benefits. IAPWE offers access to job listings for writers and editors and keeps up-to-date on editorial guidelines and expectations across the globe. Also, access forums for members to brainstorm about projects, seek career advice, and offer writing and editing support to one another. A key selling point will be access to medical and dental insurance best suited for writers and editors. IAPWE will face tough scrutiny but if accepted, grants the ability to access its useful, job-related benefits.

2. Networking Opportunities

Networking is deemed as an interchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions. It is the establishment and maintenance of connections, an intricate system of contacts (Webster’s Vol. II, 1984). Networking has been cited as an important tool for professional writers and editors because it can act as an aid in the job attainment process, provide a forum for shared information and resources, and be a source of social support and validation (Fischer, 1982; Finlay and Bowman, 1986; Wilson, 1988). Through a questionnaire sent out to members of the Text and Academic Authors Association, Finlay and Bowman (1986) learned that one of the things that writers need most is the opportunity to locate others who have similar interests and who have dealt with similar problems. Through their Identification with a Special Interest Scale, they learned that when writers are able to affiliate with others who share the same successes and problems, it reinforces their feelings of competence and success. Writing can often be an isolating experience, and many authors have expressed feeling lonely and disconnected from colleagues. Membership in an international professional association can provide writers with a sense of community and validation that they may not be able to attain in their home settings (Anklesaria, 1990).

3. Professional Development Resources

First and foremost, IAPWE offers job postings for writing and editing positions. This resource can be especially beneficial for those just starting out in the professional writing or editing field. As many job postings require previous experience, securing that first position can be very challenging. Much of the experience that aspiring writers and editors have is not paid experience, making it difficult to compete for jobs with those who have been in the professional field for several years. IAPWE job postings are from clients specifically looking for writers and editors from around the globe. This can make it easier for new professionals to find work. Since many of the IAPWE members are also new professionals, the competition for various job postings is not as fierce as it would be on other job-posting boards. High paying, low stress, entry-level positions are also available with clients who are looking to develop a long-term professional relationship with a skilled writer or editor. This can be a great opportunity for those looking to gain experience as a professional and develop samples of work for use in obtaining higher paying writing and editing positions in the future. Members can also sign up for an email subscription for job updates.

Joining an association of professional writers and editors can benefit your career in many ways. One such association, the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE), offers an array of resources that can aid in both career advancement and continued learning. Here are some of the top resources provided by IAPWE and how they can benefit you.

4. Access to Industry Insights and Trends

An international organization can provide information to its members that is both industry specific and general. Industry specific information can be essential to understanding often complex or non-transparent local publishing markets. General information can enable members to exploit new opportunities, contribute to a strategic debate, or learn from the experience of writers and editors in other regions of the world. This can take the form of market research on the state of a particular industry, promotion of best practice guidelines, and reports on issues affecting writers and editors. The benefit of such information to an individual writer or editor can be in gaining a better understanding of the publishing sector they are working in or in providing a wider range of writing and editing opportunities. Overall, the more knowledge professional writers and editors have about their industry, the more likely they are able to turn that knowledge into work that benefits society.

5. Advocacy for the Rights and Recognition of Writers and Editors

The association will endeavor to create alliances with various stakeholders to further the cause of its members. This could involve working on issues with government and policymakers, engaging with industry bodies or employers, or gaining public support for certain causes. Measures taken to directly represent and, where necessary, assist individual members in need may be the most important aspect of the advocacy role.

Professional writers and editors throughout the world have the right to expect certain minimum terms and conditions of work that allow them to sustain a reasonable quality of life and recognize the value of their contribution to society. The association will actively seek to promote and protect the rights and interests of its members. This could involve involvement in public debate, making public statements, or promoting certain ethos in the industry.

Creative work is a complex and often low-paid industry in which employment is unstable and the industrial structure is highly fragmented. Working conditions and terms of employment have recently worsened with declining rates of pay for many kinds of work in real terms. Writers and editors are facing increasing barriers to successful and sustainable professional lives, and advocacy is more important than ever.

When the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors engages in advocating for the rights and recognition of writers and editors, it automatically protects the profession of its members. The association engages in positive lobbying for causes that affect its members. This can be done in many ways, such as political lobbying to change laws or public relations campaigns to change public opinion.