CAA Membership

Who Should Apply - Membership Benefits - How to Apply

Who Should Apply For CAA Membership?

Photo of the 'Giant Cleft' in Cathedral Park

If you are serious about your writing, you should be a member of the Canadian Authors Association. There are two classes of membership:

CAA professional Members are writers, engaged in writing in any genre, who have produced a sufficient body of published work for which they have been paid.
CAA Associate members are writers who have not yet produced sufficient material to qualify as a professional Member or wish to support Canadian writing. Publication credits are not required for this class of membership.

We suggest that writers attend branch meetings in a location near them to learn more about the CAA and then make a decision on applying for membership. There is also the option to belong to the Virtual Branch or to remain a member-at-large.

Besides the wonderful friendships you develop in the CAA there is the support you give to the Canadian writing community by supporting the management of a number of CAA Awards. The CAA has also provided leadership in the protection of copyright and electronic rights in Canada for writers.

For some insight into what the Canadian Authors Association has accomplished in the last 75 years view the CAA Objectives and History. Don't miss the section on CAA Achievements.

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Benefits of CAA Membership

General Benefits

The ability to network with writers from across Canada as well as at the local or provincial level. "Writers Helping Writers" is more than a motto, it is what you can expect from the CAA.
New writers can develop their skills while established authors can find direction for their careers. Mentorships encourage and promote professionalism in Canadian writing.
Support for Canada's most prestigious Literary Awards.

Discounts

CAA members receive a discount on the cost of our annual CanWrite! conference offers seminars led by top Canadian writers, networking with other writers, an Awards Banquet, readings by CAA Literary Award Winners and much more.
CAA members are eligible for a substantial discount on purchase of the 13th edition of The Canadian Writer's Guide, Thirteenth Edition: the Association's definitive handbook for Canadian authors.
Discounts on attendance at CAA workshops, conferences and contests. Some contests are open only to CAA members.

Publications

Canadian Authors Association membership includes a subscription to National Newsline, our quarterly members-only newsletter (a $10.00 value) and many CAA branches produce a newsletter as well.

Markets & Forum for Concerns

Access to members-only listservs and a Virtual Branch where you are able to share markets, broadcast concerns and ask questions of other CAA members.
Current writing markets information is printed in our publications.
A collective voice in speaking for Canadian writers in dealing with publishers, book vendors, various levels of government and the public.
Help in dealing with copyright issues and a grievance process when you need it.

Marketing Opportunities

You can have your writing-related Web site linked to our CAA Members' Sites to increase your exposure to potential markets and contracts.
Those attending our annual CanWrite! conference have opportunities to speak with publishers about their work.
Branch meetings provide additional opportunities to network and meet with those that can forward their writing career.

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How to Apply for CAA Membership

The annual membership fee is $157.50 (which includes GST).

Two-part Membership Form

The membership form and optional part 2 (back) are available as PDF documents:

Applying for Membership

To apply for membership print out and mail the CAA membership form (PDF - 57k) along with your cheque, money order or credit card details for $157.50.

Part 2: Professional Category

If you are applying for the category of professional Member you will need to print part 2 of the membership form (PDF - 60k). Please include details of your publication credits. Incomplete applications may be delayed.

Submitting Your Membership Application

You may fax your application to (705) 653-0593 using a credit card only.

Other applications (and supporting documentation, if you are submitting Part 2) should be mailed along with your payment to:

Canadian Authors Association,
Box 419,
Campbellford, Ontario K0L 1L0

Learning More

Attend a Branch Meeting

Attend a branch meeting near you to find out more about the CAA. Members at the meeting will be able to answer your questions and help you fill out an application.

More on This Website

There is also a great deal of information about the CAA on this site including links to the CAA branches that maintain a separate branch Website. The answers to most of your questions can be found here. You might wish to look at our site index for the broad range of topics we cover.

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