irish writers union

The Irish Writers Union (Comhar na Scribhneoiri) offers a model contract for guidance to members, and assists in disputes if, or when, things go wrong.

The union acts as a watchdog, on both contracts, and royalty payments, for members, or for their estate.

It negotiates with the Arts Councils, both north and south, Bord na Leabhar, and Cle (the publishers association), amongst others, on behalf of writers.

Thanks to the union there is now a disputes procedure for writers who feel they have been treated unprofessionally by publishers of their work.

The union welcomes applications for membership from established authors and beginners alike.

If you are a writer, then you are a writer; established, struggling, or forever hopeful, so join with other writers for the benefit of all.

Two categories of membership exist: full, for published authors, and associate, for as yet unpublished writers.

A programme of meetings and activities takes place throughout the year; and fraternal links are maintained with the European Writers Congress, and similar writers organisations throughout the world.

A newsletter is published ten times a year. There are both print and email versions of the newsletter available only to the current membership list.

Each member of the Irish Writers Union is entitled to an affinity scheme card which may be used with participating merchants who offer a discount on purchases to card holders.

The IWU membership year runs from January 1 to Deceber 31.

The annual fee (2008) is €50 a year, for full, and €30 for associate members.

Copyright
That an author's right to copyright is crucial for professional writers is well recognised by the union which has been to the fore in defending author's rights under existing and pending legislation.

Censorship
Irish writers suffered shamefully in the past under crucifying censorship laws.

Many of the illustrious founder members of the union fought against the effects of state censorship as individual writers, before the union was ever formed.

Modern writers salute and are grateful to them.

The IWU actively campaigns against all forms of censorship- wherever it raises its head.

Our Objectives

To organise writers in Ireland.

To advance the cause of writing as a profession and as a form of work.

To achieve better remuneration and more favourable conditions for writers.

To provide advice, assistance and support to individual writers in their relations with publishers and other users of their work.

To provide a means for the expression of the collective opinion of writers on matters affecting their profession.

To contribute to educational policy in so far as it relates to the art of writing and the use of literature in the educational system.

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	Irish Writers Union Chomhar na Scribhneoiri
This is the website of the Irish Writers' Union, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. 01-872 13 02. or email The website is edited by Brendan Nolan	The Irish Writers Union (Comhar na Scribhneoiri) offers a model contract for guidance to members, and assists in disputes if, or when, things go wrong. The union acts as a watchdog, on both contracts, and royalty payments, for members, or for their estate. It negotiates with the Arts Councils, both north and south, Bord na Leabhar, and Cle (the publishers association), amongst others, on behalf of writers. Thanks to the union there is now a disputes procedure for writers who feel they have been treated unprofessionally by publishers of their work. The union welcomes applications for membership from established authors and beginners alike. If you are a writer, then you are a writer; established, struggling, or forever hopeful, so join with other writers for the benefit of all. Two categories of membership exist: full, for published authors, and associate, for as yet unpublished writers. A programme of meetings and activities takes place throughout the year; and fraternal links are maintained with the European Writers Congress, and similar writers organisations throughout the world. A newsletter is published ten times a year. There are both print and email versions of the newsletter available only to the current membership list. Each member of the Irish Writers Union is entitled to an affinity scheme card which may be used with participating merchants who offer a discount on purchases to card holders. The IWU membership year runs from January 1 to Deceber 31. The annual fee (2008) is €50 a year, for full, and €30 for associate members. Copyright That an author's right to copyright is crucial for professional writers is well recognised by the union which has been to the fore in defending author's rights under existing and pending legislation. Censorship Irish writers suffered shamefully in the past under crucifying censorship laws. Many of the illustrious founder members of the union fought against the effects of state censorship as individual writers, before the union was ever formed. Modern writers salute and are grateful to them. The IWU actively campaigns against all forms of censorship- wherever it raises its head. Our Objectives To organise writers in Ireland. To advance the cause of writing as a profession and as a form of work. To achieve better remuneration and more favourable conditions for writers. To provide advice, assistance and support to individual writers in their relations with publishers and other users of their work. To provide a means for the expression of the collective opinion of writers on matters affecting their profession. To contribute to educational policy in so far as it relates to the art of writing and the use of literature in the educational system. home aims benefits committee events faq honoured plunkett join links contract membersites news plr reviewing tax
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