Growing Coalition of Writers Renews Call for Reform of Copyright Registration

Back in January of 2017, the National Writers Union was joined by three other national organizations of writers in a variety of genres, media, and formats –– the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), and Horror Writers Association (HWA) — in a formal Petition for Rulemaking asking […]

Rally to Support Writers Fired at DNAinfo and Gothamist

NEW YORK, NY (November 6, 2017) – “We come not to mourn, but to organize.” That’s how Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) Executive Director, Lowell Peterson kicked off today’s rally in support of DNAinfo and Gothamist writers who were fired after voting to join the union. Right-wing billionaire-owner Joe Ricketts announced that he was shutting down […]

Ebony Freelancers and NWU Get to Know Each Other

On November 1, lawyers for NWU and the Ebony Media Organization finally met in a Cook County courtroom. At issue is the $80,000 owed to the 48 freelancers who are being represented by their union. The following night, about a dozen Ebony freelancers and some NWU reps met and got to know each other at […]

Learn Your Rights Under the Freelance Isn’t Free Law

  Did you know that under the new Freelance Isn’t Free Law, a deadbeat client could be forced to pay double damages and legal costs for stiffing a freelance writer? NWU played a big role in helping to pass the law, making New York City the first in the country to make stiffing freelancers a […]

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 […]

NYC Chapter Resumes Monthly Series Oct. 11

The NY Chapter has resumed its monthly speaker programs, where writers can learn about the business side of writing. We will cover topics such as social media platforms for marketing, identifying and expressing your brand, writing  kick-ass query letters and getting an agent/editor, creating a winning press packet, writing in multiple genres on multiple platforms, […]

Canada Lawsuit Could Affect You

Writers whose work might have been used by Canadian universities should be aware of a Monday, October 16, deadline. If you think you may be affected, that’s the date by which you would need to opt out if you’d prefer not to be included in a particular class of the suit. More background on the […]

NWU Sues On Behalf of Ebony Freelancers

The National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981 filed a lawsuit against Ebony Media Operations and its parent company, Clear View Group, LLC., for violating the contracts of dozens of freelance writers collectively owed more than $70,000. The case was filed in Cook County, IL. The lawsuit names 37 unpaid writers, editors and other creatives Ebony failed […]

NWU Brings the Ebony Fight to NABJ17!

The National Writers Union was well represented at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair held in New Orleans held August 9-13, 2017. NABJ President Sarah Glover and her Board very generously gave our group a great platform to discuss the ongoing campaign to get Ebony freelancers paid.  Prior to […]