In 2018, the National Writers Union collected more than $200,000 for almost 150 unpaid freelancers by waging Group Non-Payment Grievances. Most of these were settled directly and with the assistance of the UAW Legal Department , some had to go to court. All of the unpaid freelancers were paid 100% of what they were owed. […]
Boston Chapter’s Book Party
Our annual book party this year, managed to narrowly skirt a snowstorm, celebrating 12 authors, five of whom read from their books – historical novel about Germany’s first recognized female physician, retired MBTA chief’s novel set in Boston’s subway tunnels and the homeless who live in them, a young author’s fantasy of a girl escaping ‘the […]
16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence
Almost two-thirds of women journalists have been subjected to online abuse, according to a new IFJ survey. Respondents reported various forms of harassment, including death or rape threats, insults, the devaluation of their work, sexist comments, being the recipient of obscene images, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and account impersonation. Among those who suffered online harassment, the survey suggests, […]
Grievance Officers and Contract Advisors Needed
The NWU’s Grievance and Contract Committee is in search of several members who are interested in volunteering their time to be trained and to serve as Grievance Officers (GOs) and Contract Advisors (CAs). Why Volunteer? Grievance Officers assist fellow NWU members in fighting to resolve disputes with publishers that may arise from lack of pay, […]
October 2018 President’s Report
If there was any doubt as to who is telling the truth, all you have to do is watch the testimony of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and the Republican Senators’ Day of Rage against Dr. Christine Blaisey Ford. White, male patriarchy was on full display, not unlike a visit to the Ape House at the zoo, […]
NWU Boston Celebrates Its Authors
Sunday afternoon, January 28th, the Dance Complex in Central Square, Cambridge, was the place to be for writers and friends of writers. That’s where NWU Boston held our annual Book Party to celebrate members who’ve published books in the previous year. This year Amy Hoffman (The Off Season); Patrick Kennedy (Bricklayer Bill: The Untold Story of […]
NAUTILUS STORIES PUBLISHED, BUT NOT PAID FOR
Here some of our stories that Nautilus contracted for and published, but has yet to pay for more than a year later for many of us. Topics include selfishness, depression, rats, and impossible math. Also apropos, “Trust” is the theme of Nautilus’s December issue. Lorraine Boissoneault, Chicago, Illinois, NWU (@boissolm, www.lboissoneault.com) “Archaeologists are Planning […]
What a Year!
Last year at this time, most of us were depressed and/or in shock at the outcome of the presidential election. But on the day after the inauguration, the Women’s March, a worldwide protest, helped clear our heads and set us on a course to fight back. The anti-Muslim travel ban was met by thousands of […]
Writer Alert—UPTOWN Magazine—October 18 2017
UPTOWN Magazine–a national publication with regional editions in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. –has not been paying all of its freelance writers. Some writers remain unpaid since October, 2014. Together five writers, now represented by the National Writers Union, are owed $18,825 for work published by UPTOWN over the past three years. The NWU has tried repeatedly […]
Back at Work Tackling Cancer and Pollution in Concord, NH
The last two days I’ve been back in Concord, NH, doing the work I was elected to do and sitting in my chair in the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee. As the gold-leaf State House Dome came into view while driving into Concord the last few days, my thoughts turned to the gratitude, […]
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