How To Join
VISITING
The Workshop welcomes visitors at least 18 years old to come to any regular Wednesday evening meeting. There is no need to notify us in advance, just show up! The Workshop meets EVERY Wednesday, regardless of holidays or weather. It has been years since a meeting was canceled for any reason. We meet at 7 p.m. at this location.
If you do want to call and ask questions beforehand, our number is 817−714−6573.
We have sometimes lengthy business meetings the first Wednesday of each month before we get to the “good stuff,” so if you’d rather not sit through that we recommend you choose a different week to visit.
Non-members may visit twice per year and are encouraged to sit in and observe our ‘Read and Critique’ sessions, but may not participate directly in the ‘Read and Critique’ process until they have joined. Visitors may participate in the discussions during the break periods as a method of learning the Workshop’s successful practices.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to anyone, over the age of 18, who desires to promote the art and craft of writing. There are no limitations on membership. Writers in any genre and any experience level — from multi-published to just starting out — are welcome to join and will find benefit from being part of our group.
The DFW Writers’ Workshop fiscal year begins each October. The current annual membership dues are $100, prorated quarterly. Payment of dues entitles members to participate in the weekly ‘Read and Critique’ sessions, to borrow books from the library, and to receive a discount on Workshop-sponsored events.
| ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES | |
| Quarter | Amount |
| October — December | $100 |
| January — March | $75 |
| April — June | $50 |
| July — September | $25 |
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
We are a First Amendment group. We do not censor the reads that take place during the meetings. We do not take on the responsibility of protecting members or visitors from hearing ideas or words they would prefer not to hear. This is a professional writers’ group. If you are looking for a group that can guarantee you will hear only a certain genre/religion/political ideology etc., there are other writers’ groups in the area that may be able to help you.
We are a diverse group and open to writers of all stripes. If you would prefer to hang out only with people who are like yourself, this is not the organization for you.
The critique that takes place can sometimes be a little rough and not what we want to hear. But the purpose is to help make the writing sharper and more compelling, so you will have a higher chance of securing agent representation and/or a publishing contract. We strongly encourage you to attend an entire meeting at least once before joining. Know what you’re getting into, because our critique is not a mutual admiration society. The process has proven very successful over the years, with more than 300 traditionally published books so far and counting. If you’re serious about honing your writing, this is the place to be!
How do I join?
Hi John,
We recommend you come and attend a meeting or two and watch how the critique sessions work before making a decision to join. We meet at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the Ruth Millican Center, 205 Cullum in Euless. When you’re ready to join you can pay the dues online using the blue button on the right side of the page.
I was at the last meeting, inquired about joining then and was guided to the website. However I am unable to see how to join.
Thanks
Feel free to delete this thread, found the correct button, webpage was displaying oddly in my browser.
I visited tonight for the first time, expecting, after reading how dues are prorated at the end of the year, that if I joined next week, I would be paying about $25. After hearing the announcement tonight that the fiscal year will now start in October, if I join, will be paying $100 instead of $25?
Thanks.
That’s correct. The organization recently voted to shift its fiscal year forward to Oct. 1. In October, dues for fiscal year 2011 are due.
For people who had already paid dues earlier in the year and are rejoining for 2011, a $25 credit will be given for the last quarter of 2010, so they don’t end up paying twice for that quarter. But brand new members would pay full dues of $100 for 2011 and that will cover October 2010 through September 2011. From now on, annual dues will be collected in September-October rather than December-January.
Ok — thanks.
I would like to come to the meeting this Wednesday. Hopefully, I will be able to.
What is a ‘normal’ meeting like? Also, if I’d like to have someone critique my manuscript, do I need to bring a paper copy of it?
We allow two visits before joining. We are a read/critique group, so you only have to bring a copy to read. Only members are eligible for critique.
Come visit to see if we’re a fit for you!