Basic Membership Information
Members pay a modest $45 per year plus a one-time $20 enrollment fee (total $65). Students pay only $15 plus a one-time $20 enrollment fee (total $35). Becoming a SJVW member automatically puts you on our mailing list and also makes you a member of the statewide California Writers Club (CWC).
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Membership is from July 1 through June 30 of each year. If renewal is not received by September 30 for members in good standing, those members will be removed by the CWC. To be reinstated, lapsed members must re-apply as new members and re-qualify for membership.
Click on the link below to be directed to the membership site in which you are interested.
Secondary Branch (adding additional memberships to other CWC branches)
Pro-rated Membership (only available between November1 and February 1; From April 1 and on, please use regular membership)
Benefits of Joining SJVW
As you peruse our website, you will see many of the benefits
and opportunities related to joining SJVW. Here we highlight
those benefits that might be less visible.
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Informative monthly meetings. Monthly meetings include presentations from veteran authors, editors, and other professionals. These Zoom presentations provide important insight and information that can boost your work as a writer. In addition, on the fourth Saturday of every month, SJVW hosts "Craft Chat"--an in-person event over lunch where members review and work through issues in writing (e.g., captivating first lines, creating vivid characters, issues in point of view).
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Networking and support. If you feel that writing is a lonely endeavor, joining SJVW will get you connected and provide opportunities for you to work with others, including joining and/or forming a critique group. In addition, your work can be featured on our Membership Publications page and our Member in the Spotlight page, increasing your visibility and chance to network with others.
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Getting published. You can expand your audience by participating in a published volume. The SJVW publishes an anthology in odd years (click here to see what's in store for 2026). In addition, you will have opportunities to publish with other branches of the California Writers Club as well in CWC publications.
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Contests. The SJVW hosts writing contests in the
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even years in the areas of prose fiction, prose memoir, and poetry. This is a chance to receive an award for your writing. Click here to be directed to the current contest (2026).
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Use of SJVW logo on your website. With the SJVW logo, you can show your level of professionalism and your efforts as a serious writer. (See our resources page.)
In addition, joining the SJVW automatically enrolls you in the state-wide CWC (California Writers Club). The CWC produces a valuable and informative bulletin three times a year and provides additional opportunities to network with thousands of writers throughout the state. The CWC also provides additional opportunities to get your work published, to enter contests, and to attend presentations offered by other branches.
Donations
Donations to SJVW are welcome. SJVW is a branch of the California Writers Club. The California Writers Club (CWC) is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit corporation with 22 branches in California. Our organization is dedicated to educating writers of all levels and disciplines in the craft of writing and in publishing and the marketing of their work. To make a donation, click here.