SWWJ

SWWJ The Society of Women Writers and Journalists Male writers are welcome as associate members. Full and associate members automatically receive a press card.

The Society of Women Writers and Journalists is one of the most interesting, diverse and professional societies for women writers in the country, established in 1894. The range of writing interests and accomplishments of SWWJ members is awe inspiring and includes fiction, (both novels and short stories), drama, poetry, and non-fiction writing across a wide spectrum, including journalism, biography

, travel and local interest books. The society offers a range of membership levels to include established professionals, new writers, students and non-writing friends. We offer London and countrywide events, writing competitions, workshops, networking and learning opportunities, a quarterly print magazine and regular email bulletins. Our President is Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE and the Society has many high profile patrons including Sir Tim Rice, author Freya North and writer Simon Brett.

28/05/2026

The last last chance to join us in London on 12 June for our summer event and presentation ceremony. Please let us know NOW if you still want to come and have not yet booked and paid

28/05/2026

We've extended the deadline for submissions to the 2027 V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize - you now have until 5pm on Monday 22 June to send us your story.

The V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize is a £1,000 Prize for the best unpublished short story of the year, which will also be published in our annual Review magazine.

This year's prize will be judged by Peter Hobbs, Annette Brooke, and Caroline O’Donoghue. Apply now through the link: https://rsliterature.org/vs-pritchett-short-story-prize/

28/05/2026

week is almost upon us – are these dates in your diary?

Tickets to Women’s Prize LIVE and the 2026 Women’s Prizes Shortlist Readings livestream are still available – book yours today and join us.

Always sad to say goodbye to inspiring and creative women. As writers we owe so much to pioneers like Maureen Duffy, cha...
28/05/2026

Always sad to say goodbye to inspiring and creative women. As writers we owe so much to pioneers like Maureen Duffy, championing the cause and rights of writers. May she rest in peace.

We are profoundly saddened to share that writer, campaigner, ALCS founder and Honorary President, Maureen Duffy, has passed away aged 92.

Maureen was extraordinary: a novelist, poet, playwright and critic of incredible range, and an ardent campaigner for authors' rights. As a leading member of the Writers’ Action Group, alongside Brigid Brophy and others, she campaigned for Public Lending Right and helped secure its introduction in 1979. That work paved the way for the creation of ALCS.

Maureen's contribution to literature, to public life and to the cause of authors’ rights was immense, and her loss will be felt far beyond our organisation. Our staff, Chair and Board members past and present all have fond memories of Maureen and our thoughts are with her loved ones at this sad time.

Maureen's legacy and impact can't be summed up in a social media post. You can read our full tribute here: https://ow.ly/tMnU50Z52Ji

25/05/2026
19/05/2026

Still time to book your ticket and join us for afternoon tea on 12 June. Ticket info below

19/05/2026

Copyright and contracts can feel bewildering for writers, but it’s important to get the basics right.

In the first of a new, free in-person training series for writers, sponsored by the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS), WGGB Organiser Eleanor Dawson is leading a workshop on this subject in central London on Monday 18 May (11am to 3pm).

The four-hour interactive session will demystify the subject and guide attendees through the fundamentals of UK copyright law, how contracts are structured, common legal terminology, writers' agreements and how to identify fair and unfair contracts.

Attendees will come away with the skills to understand complex legal jargon, identify the importance of different agreements and learn the difference between a favourable or unfavourable contract.

Find out more and apply (application deadline 12 noon on Monday 11 May):

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WGGBTrainingContracts

18/05/2026

Today we launch ‘How to protect against scammers – a guide for authors’ with The Society of Authors, following an uptick in enquiries from writers who are being targeted by ever more sophisticated fraudulent activity, often driven by AI

Download the free guide:

www.writersguild.org.uk/scams

Address

London

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SWWJ posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category