About Midwest Writers Association

Background

Our association’s history notes that our roots reach back to magazines followed by national, regional and local newspaper journalism. Our professional makeup as a band of non-fiction wordsmiths has expanded as the public’s thirst for news, features, genre-targeted information and how-to books and films increased the demand for skilled writers in a variety of media forms.

Colleges, recognizing that the Information Age was not, and still is not, just a convenient catch-all label, added and grew their journalism and communication departments. MWA recognized the increased demand for skilled writers in many media formats by expanding its membership guidelines and its program (see To Join). Networking, matching skills with outlets and sharpening skills – all important factors in joining MWA years ago, has become even more important in recent years. No matter what the outlet, however, association members are all professional journalists.

An H and 2 Ws

How MWA members network before and after programs that are open to the public, at member-only meetings and a holiday party. In addition, the association’s directory lists specialties so that members who are too busy to take on an assignment or are asked to recommend another writer have a network resource.

What The association invites editors, publishers, journalism deans/professors and such specialists useful to writers as: linguists, professional speakers and experts on legal matters, taxes and the Web, to do a program or conduct a seminar. Speakers mingle with MWA before and after the programs, exchange business cards and receive a copy of the directory that lists members’ specialties.

When Programs open to the public are held three to four times a year, usually as a dinner meeting at a restaurant. MWA also has three to four member-only meetings each year.