WRITERS' LEAGUE OF TEXAS
formerly the Austin Writers' League
Serving Texas
Writers' League of Texas Reaches
the Whole State
Don't let the name fool you-- with over twelve hundred members, the Writers' League of Texas is the second largest regional writing group in the nation.
WLT works as the Texas Commission on the Arts' Statewide Service Organization partner in the literary arts. In 1996 it became the primary agency to handle literary grants on TCA's behalf. This is only one way that the Writer's League has been nurturing writing in Texas for almost 20 years.
WLT is dedicated to helping writers take their art to the highest level. It works with anyone who loves the written word, from the novice just dipping a toe in the literary waters for the first time, to the seasoned pro trying to navigate the rapids of the publishing world. League members have won the Pulitzer, the Edgar, the Agatha, and the Spur.
Writers hoping to find beginning, intermediate or advanced instruction on writing fiction and nonfiction can turn to a number of weekend conferences, as well as informal classes and workshops held throughout the year. These workshops are presented by established authors in the community and from around the state. The classes teach the basics and motivate the talented as well as provide an opportunity to network with other writers, editors and agents.
The League also works with a number of small, friendly study groups where writers can share their work, get critiques and sympathy from other writers in the same category or genre.
Writers outside of Central Texas can get referrals to writing groups in their community or take advantage of E-mail classes from their home computer.
WLT's annual Agents! Agents! Agents! Conference, generally held in July, is the only one of its kind in the country. Writers have the opportunity to meet one-on-one and network with agents who are actively seeking new clients. Over 225 people attended our 2002 contest. We recently introduced a new facet: a manuscript contest in five categories. Winners receive at least two critiques and a one-on-one meeting with an appropriate agent or editor at the conference.
Each year the Writers' League of Texas sends its established authors to the far corners of the state to share their experiences with writers and readers in other towns. The Texas Literary Touring Program is sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts and has is a successful outreach program from the heart of Texas.
Published authors who are League members have a chance each year to compete for the coveted $1,000 Violet Crown Award, presented to one writer in fiction, one writer in prose, and one writer in nonfiction for outstanding work, as well as the Teddy Award for the outstanding published children's book.
The Texas Writer is a monthly newsletter with tips on writing and finding markets for writers. It surveys the writing scene and provides the latest gossip on who is selling and who is buying. The 12-page publication provides information on the League's on-going projects and announcements, and seeks submissions of essays and poetry for publication.
Members can now also get updates on late breaking WLT events by subscribing to Footnotes, a free weekly electronic bulletin.
For the next generation of writers, the League sponsors children's workshops and writing camps for young people from Kindergarten to 12th grade. The workshops are held at local schools and give students a chance to interact and get advice from established writers and poets. Students are also honored for their contributions each year with the annual Young Texas Writers Scholarships.
The League also maintains a resource center with over fifteen hundred titles on writing and publishing, literary journals and screenplays. Staff and volunteers are on hand to provide a wide range of technical assistance and advice to writers. The WLT library has more than a thousand titles available to members, including a shelf full of the latest how-to books on writing and audiotapes of noted authors sharing their experiences. The League maintains a job bank with leads for writers and editors, and allows members to leave their resumes on file for viewing by potential employers. WLT also tracks changes, and new publications in the magazine marketplace.
It's easy to join the Writers' League. If you are interested in making a donation to help support the League, contact Beverly Horne at beverly@writersleague.org
home | about
WLT | calendar |
classes & workshops | star
instructors |
membership | contests,
awards, & grants | on
the air | footnotes |
contact us |
writers resources |
FAQs | site
map