Did you know?
Over the last three years, the Writers Union of Canada has changed its eligibility criteria, opening up its membership to authors who are professionally self-published. Previously, to be eligible for membership in the WUOC you were required to have “a trade book published by a commercial or university press” under your belt. Now the requirement is a professionally self-published book that successfully demonstrates commercial intent.
Self-published authors haven’t always been eligible because the trick is, to be a professional writer, you have to publish professionally. That wasn’t easily achievable for writers outside of the traditional publishing model, but with the rise of professional-quality self-publishing service providers and hybrid publishers, options abound.
While each application for membership must still gain approval from the WUOC, writers who publish with a credible hybrid publishing company such as LifeTree Media can make a strong case for membership, giving them access to professional development and even medical benefits.
For more information, see https://www.writersunion.ca