We're creating a community of writers to find feedback and support

Join the Black Writers Collective tribe

About Black Writers Collective

Black Writers Collective is a private network for literary creatives who dream of a supportive, empowering environment to engage with fellow writers for accountability and the positive motivation and feedback to be the writer you feel called to be. 

Not the Last, but the First

Black Writers Collective was the first literary arts association to organize online for writers of color back in 1998. We continue to embrace the challenge of empowering Black writers to achieve your goals. 

Before You Join

If you're landing here through any link other than blackwriters.org/join/, take a moment to visit Membership Benefits on our website to learn more about membership to ensure our network is right for you before you click the join button. 

IMPORTANT: You will also be required to read through our New Member Terms & Conditions and agree to them prior to joining, so be sure you've done so before clicking the payment link below.

What's Required

Many want to be part of a writers community, but only a select few actually have what it takes to thrive within that network. 

To be part of a community, you have to do your part too. 

1. Speak up. 

2. Respond to others.

3. Contribute. 

4. Participate. 

5. Share. 

6. Engage.

Refund Terms

Before you join, be aware that we do not offer refunds should you change your mind later about being part of our community outside of special circumstances. Black Writers Collective is a reciprocal network. We cannot ensure member engagement or return on investment without effort on your part. By joining, you acknowledge that you are aware of our refund policy and accept the terms and conditions as outlined above. You are the sole manager of your membership, so you may cancel at any time. 

Upon Joining...

Upon joining, you'll find our new member welcome checklist to help get you acclimated along with our Members Guide, an orientation reference tool to help you locate each of the features that membership has to offer. You'll find links to add your book(s) to our members' books gallery, forms to get listed in our Freelance Writers Directory and share news of your book releases, awards, or other accolades, and how to join our critique and accountability groups. You'll also be able to navigate to our events calendar and RSVP for the weekly write-in sessions and monthly meetings on the last Tuesdays of each month. 

Should you join?

If you typically join groups and lurk, don't fill out your own profile, never attend group meetings, or don't respond to fellow members or hosts, this is not the community for you.

We're not looking to build a huge membership; we want engaged members who actually get something out of their membership. We want you to feel like you've found your tribe and relish being here!

Terms & Conditions

Term

Membership is measured in months. The standard membership term is 12 months (e.g. someone joining on July 30 will expire on July 29 of the following year).

Admission to Membership

Admission to membership in BWC is conducted online via this platform at blackwriters.net with certain features executed via the blackwriters.org website. Membership becomes official upon confirmation of payment for the first term of membership. Membership dues are nonrefundable and are non-transferable.  No application for membership shall be denied on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Dues and Fees 

Member dues are a simple, flat rate.  Current dues are reflected below and on blackwriters.org.

Termination Policy

Membership shall terminate and the member shall be entitled to no rebate of dues previously paid in any of the following events:

  • If the member resigns;
  • If the member does not pay the amount owed to BWC prior to their date of expiration;
  • If the member disputes payment of their renewal membership dues to BWC.
  • If the member is found to have violated anti-bullying, anti-racist, and anti-discriminatory as published in the members guidelines.

Payment Terms

Online Payment Terms & Conditions

By accessing or using BWC's online payment service, Member agrees to be bound by all applicable terms and conditions. BWC may modify the terms and conditions at any time, with or without notice.

The BWC online payment service is provided to Member to facilitate payment of dues and other products and services. Member will receive a confirmation and immediate access to the membership platform once payment has been received. The BWC utilizes a third-party service to process payments.

BWC will not be liable for any deficiencies in the accuracy, completeness, availability, privacy, security or timeliness of payment information sent via this online payment service. BWC will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this online payment site, including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, and punitive damages. BWC will not be liable for any breach of Member’s personal or credit card information resulting from the interception of such information during its transmission to BWC. Member expressly agrees that its use of this service is at Member’s sole risk. Member agrees that it will not intentionally provide false information when accessing or using the BWC’s online payment service.

BWC is committed to Member’s privacy and will not distribute information sent via this service to third parties. Only BWC’s membership department has access to data collected and will not store any personally identifiable information, including credit card information.

Automatic Renewal Authorization

By selecting the automatic renewal option, Member accepts these terms and conditions authorizing BWC to charge the credit card or debit the debit card account that Member has specified in the amount of the balance due as part of Member’s BWC membership. Member agrees that the payment card specified by Member for automatic bill payments to BWC is, and will continue to be, an account that Member owns, and that Member will maintain sufficient availability under Member’s credit card limit, or sufficient funds in the account linked to Member’s debit card, as applicable, to pay Member’s BWC bill. The automatic charge to Member’s credit card or debit to Member’s debit card account will occur within two business days of the start of the new membership term. Once the payment has been processed, Member will receive an electronic (email) notification that payment has been applied to Member’s card for the sum of Member’s membership dues from the BWC.

These terms and conditions will constitute Member’s copy of Member’s automatic renewal authorization to BWC. Member should print and retain a copy of this automatic renewal authorization for Member’s records.

Automatic Renewal Cancellation

Members may cancel their automatic renewal authorization to BWC at any time through the Member’s profile and through the member portal link provided to members. Members who were charged an automatic renewal fee may request a refund of that fee for up to 14 days from the date of payment. However, Member acknowledges and agrees that he or she must pay membership fees for any renewal terms via online payment to continue membership.