where the writers are

Authors Guild

A favorite of Red Room authors  Harriet Scott Chessman, Elizabeth Ann Koelher-Pentacoff, C.M. Mayo, G. Wayne Miller, Susan Wiggs, G.K. Wuori, Jim Van Buskirk, Scott C. Holstad, J.P. Smith, and Roy Blount, Jr.

Mission: The Authors Guildhas been the nation's leading advocate for writers' interests in effective copyright protection, fair contracts, and free expression since it was founded as the Authors League of America in 1912.Authors Guild

Current President: Scott Turow

Year founded: 1912

Accomplishments:

  • The Authors Guild represents more than 8,000 published authors.
  • Generated $30 million dollars in 2009 for the law firm representing the guild in the Google Books settlement.
  • Direct and indirect revenue to the Guild should exceed $50 million due to the Google settlement, with $34.5 million paid upfront as a "registry fee" to a separate, not-yet-established organization set up by the Guild.
  • The Authors Registry, the not-for-profit organization founded by the Authors Guild and others in 1995, has paid more than $2.5 million to authors in the U.S. since the start of the year.

Profile: The Authors Guild was originally founded as the Authors' League of America in 1912 by a coalition of more than 350 authors and dramatists before splitting into two organizations in 1921: The Dramatists Guild and the Authors Guild. The Authors Guild primarily works as an advocate for newer and inexperienced authors who are not familiar with the business side of the publishing industry. Authors who join the Guild as members are required to pay dues based on their income from their writing. Dues have not increased since 1989.

Benefits offered to members of the Authors Guild include discounted health insurance plans in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, as well as a nationwide dental plan. Members also receive a Model Trade Book Contract and Guide, and free review services from a staff of Guild attorneys. Additionally, the organization runs The Authors Guild Foundation, the educational arm of the Authors Guild, The Authors League Fund, which helps writers in financial need due to medical emergencies or other misfortunes, and The Authors Registry, which acts as a payment agent for organizations wishing to distribute payments to U.S. resident authors. The Authors Guild also runs Backinprint.com, an online bookstore partnered with iUniverse which provides access to thousands of titles previously out of print.

To become more involved, volunteer, or donate, visit the organization's website.

­–Community Team, Red Room

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