Determine Your Membership Category
Click on the level that fits you best to be taken to the next step. And make note of what you chose so you can fill it in on the form. Please note that all dues amounts will be pro-rated if you join later in the year.
Supporting Ally
Dues: $59/year
If you’re not (yet) a professional writer, but have an interest in Horror, then you can be a supporting member. Even those who just love reading it or watching Horror movies can join in this category. You do not need to provide any specific evidence or meet any requirements.
Associate Ally
Dues: $79/year
You are a non-writing horror professional (bookseller, agent, illustrator, editor, teacher, librarian, or other). You will need to supply convincing evidence of your professional affiliation in the form of a letterhead, company brochure, web site URL, etc.
Academic Ally
Dues: $79/year
You are working as an academic and have an academic interest in the field of horror or dark literature. You will need to provide documentation of your research, teaching, writing, or other appropriate activities within the genre. More on this in the next page.
Affiliate Writer
Dues: $79/year
You have published a little at professional rates. You will have to provide documentation of your sale. If you cannot, then choose “Supporting Ally” above. You will be able to apply for a different level later, once you can qualify.
Active Pro-Writer
Dues: $79/year
You are an established professional writer or editor. You will need to provide proof of this with your application. You must meet one of these qualifications:
- three or more Horror or Dark Fantasy short stories, articles, or reviews totaling 7,500 words or more, earning payment of at least 5¢ per word.
- one Horror or Dark Fantasy book-length manuscript earning a minimum payment in advances and/or royalties or earnings within two years of publication from self-published work of at least $2,000.
- a 90-minute Horror or Dark Fantasy TV movie, or two 30-minute teleplays earning at least WGA minimum rates.
- one Horror or Dark Fantasy theatrical film script earning at least $5,000.
- three full-length Horror or Dark Fantasy comic book scripts earning professional rates and/or with professional print-run and distribution levels.
- three 10,000 word Horror or Dark Fantasy Role-playing Game project or one 40,000 word project earning at least 5 ¢ per word.
- a Horror or Dark Fantasy script for a computer game or a single work of interactive fiction intended for electronic media earning at least $2,000.
- a Horror or Dark Fantasy computer game for a minimum payment of $2,000, regardless of length or memory usage, or create a piece of shareware or other work produced without payment in advance, with a paid circulation exceeding 1,000 copies.
- 10 Horror or Dark Fantasy poems at 25¢ per line or $5 each, or publish a poetry collection that earns an honorarium of at least $50.
- If you are self-published with publication earnings equivalent to the above, you may qualify for this category of membership.
Other Membership Options
Corporate Membership
Dues: $135/year
Corporate members receive one Directory entry (status is automatically “Associate”) and up to 10 userIDs for access to HWA’s Members Only website. All userIDs are considered part of the single corporate membership and do not equate to individual memberships. All official street mail is sent to a single specified address.
Family Membership
Dues: $99/year
Family membership holders (up to three members of a family, whose status will vary according to their individual qualifications) each receive separate listings in the Directory and separate userIDs for access to the HWA’s Members Only website. Each family member must provide documentation and qualify separately for Affiliate or Active membership. All official street mail is sent to a single specified address.