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Mission & History
Inspirational Writers Alive! (IWA!) is a Christian interdenominational writers’ club. IWA! promotes creative writing to glorify Christ by helping individuals advance their writing skills and find effective markets for their work. The club’s name conveys the excitement members feel about the special ministry entrusted to writers.
What Maxine E. Holder started in March 1990 with a group of fifteen individuals has grown into a non-profit organization registered in Texas and governed by a Board of Directors. Members of the various chapters across Texas include aspiring writers and published authors in every genre of Christian writing. IWA! invites anyone interested in writing to visit one of the existing chapters or to contact the IWA! state president for more information about chartering a new area chapter.
IWA!, a member of the Houston Council of Writers, is listed with the Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market Guide, The Christian Communicator magazine, Forbes Directory, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, The Christian Writer’s Market Guide, Who’s Who in Poetry, Who’s Who in Religion, Who’s Who in the Southwest, William Gentz’s Religious Writer’s Marketplace, and other market and writing guides.
Inspirational Writers Alive! (IWA!) is a Christian interdenominational writers’ club. IWA! promotes creative writing to glorify Christ by helping individuals advance their writing skills and find effective markets for their work. The club’s name conveys the excitement members feel about the special ministry entrusted to writers.
What Maxine E. Holder started in March 1990 with a group of fifteen individuals has grown into a non-profit organization registered in Texas and governed by a Board of Directors. Members of the various chapters across Texas include aspiring writers and published authors in every genre of Christian writing. IWA! invites anyone interested in writing to visit one of the existing chapters or to contact the IWA! state president for more information about chartering a new area chapter.
IWA!, a member of the Houston Council of Writers, is listed with the Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market Guide, The Christian Communicator magazine, Forbes Directory, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, The Christian Writer’s Market Guide, Who’s Who in Poetry, Who’s Who in Religion, Who’s Who in the Southwest, William Gentz’s Religious Writer’s Marketplace, and other market and writing guides.
Membership
IWA! welcomes new members. Membership applications may be obtained from the link at the top of this page and returned to the respective chapter’s treasurer or president. The following annual dues are collected each January:
$25—Full membership
$15—Associate membership
$20—Seniors over age 55
$35—Couples regardless of age
Membership benefits include:
1. Attendance at any and all monthly meetings, which feature guest speakers, critique sessions, networking, and read-arounds.
2, Discounted registration for the annual Texas Christian Writers’ Conference.
3. Discounts on entries in the annual IWA! Open Writing Competition.
4. Monthly state and chapter newsletters, which present updates devotionals, information on writing conferences and contests.
5. Opportunities to contribute articles, devotionals, and poetry to Inspiration...News, the state newsletter.
6. Eligibility to hold a state or chapter office after one year of membership.
7. Full voting rights.
Writers’ Conference
Each year, IWA! sponsors the Texas Christian Writers’ Conference on the first Saturday in August. The conference features a keynote address, workshops, paid critiques, one-on-one sessions with authors, author book tables and signings, free publications, continental breakfast, an awards luncheon, door prizes, and fellowship with other writers. Conference fee discounts are available for IWA! members, couples, seniors, and volunteers.
Open Writing Competition
IWA! hosts an annual Open Writing Competition from January-May 15 each year. Individuals may submit a maximum of two entries in each of the following categories: article, book proposal (fiction or non-fiction), devotional, drama, fiction short story for young adults/adults, and fiction short story for children/teens. IWA! members receive discounts on contest entry fees. Awards are presented to winners of the IWA! Open Writing Competition at the Texas Christian Writers’ Conference each fall.
IWA! welcomes new members. Membership applications may be obtained from the link at the top of this page and returned to the respective chapter’s treasurer or president. The following annual dues are collected each January:
$25—Full membership
$15—Associate membership
$20—Seniors over age 55
$35—Couples regardless of age
Membership benefits include:
1. Attendance at any and all monthly meetings, which feature guest speakers, critique sessions, networking, and read-arounds.
2, Discounted registration for the annual Texas Christian Writers’ Conference.
3. Discounts on entries in the annual IWA! Open Writing Competition.
4. Monthly state and chapter newsletters, which present updates devotionals, information on writing conferences and contests.
5. Opportunities to contribute articles, devotionals, and poetry to Inspiration...News, the state newsletter.
6. Eligibility to hold a state or chapter office after one year of membership.
7. Full voting rights.
Writers’ Conference
Each year, IWA! sponsors the Texas Christian Writers’ Conference on the first Saturday in August. The conference features a keynote address, workshops, paid critiques, one-on-one sessions with authors, author book tables and signings, free publications, continental breakfast, an awards luncheon, door prizes, and fellowship with other writers. Conference fee discounts are available for IWA! members, couples, seniors, and volunteers.
Open Writing Competition
IWA! hosts an annual Open Writing Competition from January-May 15 each year. Individuals may submit a maximum of two entries in each of the following categories: article, book proposal (fiction or non-fiction), devotional, drama, fiction short story for young adults/adults, and fiction short story for children/teens. IWA! members receive discounts on contest entry fees. Awards are presented to winners of the IWA! Open Writing Competition at the Texas Christian Writers’ Conference each fall.