Washington Independent Writers
Encyclopedia
American Independent Writers (AIW) is a American
trade organization for professional writers.
It was formed as the Washington Independent Writers (WIW) in 1975 by a group of freelance writers in the Washington DC area to address concerns over finding health insurance, job searching, and to provide social opportunities to help writers overcome isolation. Its first meetings were held in the National Press Club
.
The first meeting, in April 1975, was attended by 200 people. By 1987, WIW was the largest regional writers' group in the country. In 2004, it had 1500 members.
Originally WIW provided services including "a monthly newsletter, Job Bank, social activities, directory of members, legal services program, health insurance access, grievance procedures, medical insurance, and a continuing round of workshops and seminars." By the 1980s, these had expanded to include political activism, and legal support and fundraising, most famously for founding member Kitty Kelley
from 1983 to 1984, when she was sued by Frank Sinatra
in an attempt to stop her publication of his unauthorized biography, His Way.
The group changed its name to American Independent Writers (AIW) on July 1, 2008, to open up more opportunities for grants and donations.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trade organization for professional writers.
It was formed as the Washington Independent Writers (WIW) in 1975 by a group of freelance writers in the Washington DC area to address concerns over finding health insurance, job searching, and to provide social opportunities to help writers overcome isolation. Its first meetings were held in the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
.
The first meeting, in April 1975, was attended by 200 people. By 1987, WIW was the largest regional writers' group in the country. In 2004, it had 1500 members.
Originally WIW provided services including "a monthly newsletter, Job Bank, social activities, directory of members, legal services program, health insurance access, grievance procedures, medical insurance, and a continuing round of workshops and seminars." By the 1980s, these had expanded to include political activism, and legal support and fundraising, most famously for founding member Kitty Kelley
Kitty Kelley
Kitty Kelley is an American journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies of celebrities and politicians. Her subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, the Bush family, and Oprah Winfrey...
from 1983 to 1984, when she was sued by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
in an attempt to stop her publication of his unauthorized biography, His Way.
The group changed its name to American Independent Writers (AIW) on July 1, 2008, to open up more opportunities for grants and donations.