Membership Regulations

ARTICLE I.
Statement of Authority

Section 1.

These regulations are enacted by the Membership Committee of the Horror Writers Association effective November 14, 2005, in accordance with Article III, Sections 2, 6, 7 and 9 of the May 15, 2003 HWA Bylaws. They supersede and hereby replace all previous membership regulations of the organization unless such replacement would violate the HWA Bylaws.

ARTICLE II.
Classes of Membership

Section 1.

In accordance with Article III, Section 1 of the Bylaws, the Horror Writers Association will provide three classes of membership: Active, Affiliate, and Associate. Membership of all types will be reserved for those whose work meets the criteria given below.

ARTICLE III.
Active Membership

Section 1.
Active membership requires one or more of the following:

1. Three or more separate publications or sales of short works of fiction whose combined total length equals or exceeds 7,500 words, sold at professional rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. Professional rates are defined in this case as five cents (5¢) or more per word. "Publications or sales" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


2. Three or more separate publications or sales of articles, reviews, or translations whose combined total length equals or exceeds 7,500 words, sold at professional rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. Professional rates are defined in this case as five cents (5¢) or more per word. "Publications or sales" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


3. The publication or sale of at least one book-length work, fiction, non-fiction, or translation, sold at professional rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. "Book-length" is defined as being in excess of 40,000 words. Professional rates are defined in this case as an advance of at least $2,000 against royalties of 5% or more, OR an advance of at least $5,000 against royalties of less than 5%. Flat-fee sales or royalty rates below 1% of the retail price of the volume do not constitute professional sales. For works not published as independent volumes, such as magazine serials, qualifying rates shall be defined as five cents (5¢) or more per word. "Publication or sale" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


4. The writing of one screenplay for a theatrical film related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s), for which the writer was paid at least the Writers' Guild minimum current at the time of sale and for which the writer received at least partial screenplay credit, or would have received such credit had the film been released.


5. The writing of one television movie related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s) at least ninety (90) minutes in length, or two episodic teleplays each at least thirty (30) minutes in length, intended for broadcast on either a major network, in nationwide syndication, or on a major cable channel, for which the writer was paid at least the Writers' Guild minimum current at the time of sale and for which the writer received at least partial screenplay credit, or would have received such credit had the teleplay been aired.


6. The scripting of no less than three full-length comic books (defined as a minimum of 20 story pages per issue), or that equivalent in self-contained stories, relating to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s) as "work-for-hire" at a page-rate of no less than $50.00 per page. The same quota applies to writer/artists, who must be paid no less than $100.00 per page for material they have written and illustrated. Payment must be received before Active status will be granted under this provision.


7. The scripting of a minimum of three creator-owned full-length comic books, relating to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s), with a paid advance and with a nationally-distributed print run of at least 5,000 copies. The advance for the creator-owned published work must be no less than $30.00 per page or $700.00 per issue. The same quota applies to writer/artists, who must be paid no less than $60.00 per page for material they have written and illustrated, or $1,200 per issue.


8. The scripting within a one-year period of no less than three self-published full-length comic books (defined as a minimum of 20 story pages per issue), or that equivalent in self-contained stories, relating to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s), with a minimum print-run of 2,000 nationally-distributed copies per issue.


9. The writing of three role-playing games, gaming modules, scenarios, sourcebooks, or other role-playing gaming projects related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult field(s) of at least 10,000 words each, and each paying at least five cents (5¢) per word.


10. The writing of one role-playing game, gaming module, scenario, sourcebook, or other role-playing gaming project related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult field(s) of at least 40,000 words, paying at least five cents (5¢) per word.


11. Payment of $2,000 for the scripting of a computer game related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult field(s), or a single work of interactive fiction intended for electronic media, regardless of length or memory usage.


12. The writing of a computer game or a single work of interactive fiction related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult field(s) for electronic media without payment in advance, but with a paid circulation exceeding 1,000 copies, of which all or part of that payment has been received by the writer -- i.e., "shareware" with over 1,000 registered copies.


13. Ten or more separate publications or sales of individual poems whose combined total length equals or exceeds 150 lines, sold at professional rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. "Professional rates" are defined in this case as no less than 25 cents (25¢) per line or $5 for each poem, whichever figure is greater. "Publication or sale" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; a verbal promise or the signing of an agreement shall not constitute sale until payment has been received.


14. The publication or sale of at least one poetry collection for which a professional-level prize or honorarium is paid, and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. "Poetry collection" is defined in this case as a bound or saddle-stitched book or booklet of at least 48 pages, excluding cover, title sheets, and end-pages, with a print run of no fewer than 100 copies. "Professional-level prize or honorarium" is defined in this case as no less than $50. "Publication or sale" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of the aforementioned prize or honorarium; a verbal promise or the signing of an agreement shall not constitute sale until payment has been received.


15. A writer may qualify for Active status by mixing and matching work from different categories. However, this is a complex matter requiring review by the Membership Committee on a case-by-case basis.


16. With the sole exception of comic books, self-published work can not be used for qualification purposes. "Self-published work" is defined as written material disseminated by the author (for example, email or electronic publications, publication on the author's Web site, or printed publications sold on consignment or solely by the author), or written material whose basic publication costs are defrayed in whole or in part by the author.


17. Any current Affiliate member as of June 1, 2003 shall have a two year grace period ending June 1, 2005 during which to gain active membership status under the previous 3 cents per word or $2,000 advance/ 2% royalty rates.

Section 2.
It shall be required that the publication, publisher, or other entity making payment as described in Section 1 shall be one that pays the same qualifying rate to at least 90% of its contributors. This is necessary to avoid having members attain Active status through "traded" or other irregular sales at artificial rates.

Section 3.
Since there is no reliable way of determining who contributed what to a collaborative work, every writer whose name appears as author of any qualifying work shall be permitted to claim that work as fully his own for the purpose of Active membership, so long as no more than three names are listed as author. No collaboration listing four or more authors shall be accepted as a membership credential. Up to three authors may be admitted to Active membership for the same qualifying work.

Section 4.
The Membership Committee has established these minimum standards not only in the interest of maintaining credible professional standards for Active members, but to discredit by implication those publishers who attempt to define lower rates as professional. Both the committee and the Board of Trustees recognize that while the aforementioned rates are professional, many of them are nevertheless quite low, and neither body wishes to suggest that such payments are, in fact, adequate for any purpose other than establishing standards for Active membership. The committee and the Board further recognize that part of the duty of HWA is to improve the working conditions of the artists who comprise its Active membership; therefore, it is obligated to establish firm minimums for Active status, for by failing to do so it would be encouraging to some degree those publishers who unfairly exploit writers.

ARTICLE IV.
Affiliate Membership

Section 1.
Writers who have not yet met the criteria for Active membership in HWA, but do meet the criteria listed below, may join the organization as Affiliates. Affiliates shall pay the same dues as Active members, and shall receive the same publications and services as Active members, but lack certain rights available to Active members. HWA does not consider the criteria listed in this section to be acceptable evidence of professional standing. These criteria are meant only to show the professional intent of a prospective member. Any current Affiliate member as of June 26, 2004 shall have until February 26, 2006 to meet these requirements. All those applying after June 26, 2004 must meet the requirements immediately.

Affiliate membership requires one or more of the following:

1. One or more publications or sales of short or long fiction in excess of 500 words each, sold at qualifying rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. Qualifying rates are defined in this case as $25 or more. "Publications or sales" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


2. One or more publications or sales of non-fiction, role-playing supplements, comic book scripts, computer gaming scripts, or theatrical plays in excess of 500 words each, sold at qualifying rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. Qualifying rates are defined in this case as $50 or more. "Publications or sales" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


3. The publication or sale of at least one book-length work, fiction, nonfiction, or translation, sold at qualifying rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. "Book-length" is defined as being in excess of 40,000 words. Qualifying rates for works published in book form are defined in this case as an advance of at least $200; the advance may be against royalties of no less than 1% of the retail price of the volume, or it may be a flat-rate payment. For works not published as independent volumes, such as magazine serials, qualifying rates shall be defined as one cent (1¢) or more per word. "Publication or sale" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.


4. The sale of one or more screenplays or the sale of one or more options for existing screenplays written by the applicant and related to the dark fantasy, horror, or occult genre(s) for television or theatrical film at qualifying rates. "Qualifying rates" are defined as $200 or more. "Sale" is defined to mean the receipt of payment; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until full payment has been received.


5. Three or more separate publications or sales of individual poems of at least 10 lines each, sold at qualifying rates and containing one or more elements of dark fantasy, horror, the occult, or fear. "Qualifying rates" are defined in this case as a combined total of at least $15. "Publication or sale" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; a verbal promise or the signing of an agreement shall not constitute sale until payment has been received.


6. Self-published work can not be used for qualification purposes. "Self-published work" is defined as written material disseminated by the author (for example, email or electronic publications, publication on the author's Web site, or printed publications sold on consignment or solely by the author), or written material whose basic publication costs are defrayed in whole or in part by the author.

Section 2.
It shall be required that the publication, publisher, or other entity making payment as described in Section 1 shall be one that pays the same qualifying rate to at least 90% of its contributors. This is necessary to avoid having members attain Affiliate status through "traded" or other irregular sales at artificial rates.

Section 3.
Since there is no reliable way of determining who contributed what to a collaborative work, every writer whose name appears as author of any qualifying work shall be permitted to claim that work as fully his own for the purpose of Affiliate membership, so long as no more than three names are listed as author. No collaboration listing four or more authors shall be accepted as a membership credential. Up to three authors may be admitted to Affiliate membership for the same qualifying work.

Section 4.
Affiliate members are encouraged to submit recommendations for the preliminary ballot of the Bram Stoker Awards during the course of each year. However, Affiliates are not enfranchised to vote on the preliminary or final ballots of the Bram Stoker Awards, nor may they vote in the election of the organization's officers and trustees or the amendment of its Bylaws. Affiliates shall not be excluded from any business meeting, social function, or other event that HWA may be responsible for; under no circumstance shall any gathering of HWA's membership be open only to Active members.

ARTICLE V.
Associate Membership

Section 1.
Persons working as professionals other than writers in the field of horror, occult, or dark fantasy (including, but not limited to, editors, illustrators, literary agents, booksellers, institutions with a legitimate interest in the horror genre, such as high schools, colleges, universities, libraries, broadcasting organizations, film producers, publishers, or an individual associated with such an institution) may join the organization as Associates. Professionals are defined in this case as individuals or institutions able to demonstrate earned income from nonwriting activities associated with horror, occult, or dark fantasy. Individual Associates shall pay the same dues as Active members, and shall receive the same publications and services as Active members, but lack certain rights available to Active members. Associates joining as corporations shall pay dues and receive publications as stipulated in Article VII, Section 1.2 below.

Section 2.
Associate members are encouraged to submit recommendations for the preliminary ballot of the Bram Stoker Awards during the course of each year. However, Associates are not enfranchised to vote on the preliminary or final ballots of the Bram Stoker Awards, nor may they vote in the election of the organization's officers and trustees or the amendment of its Bylaws. Associates shall not be excluded from any business meeting, social function, or other event that HWA may be responsible for; under no circumstance shall any gathering of HWA's membership be open only to Active members.

ARTICLE VI.
Maintaining Active Membership

Section 1.
At this time the state of the marketplace is such that any form of requalification of membership is deemed unfeasible by the Membership Committee. The Committee does reserve the right, as given by the Bylaws, to re-evaluate this position at some future point in order to ensure that the organization maintains a professional stature and composition.

ARTICLE VII.
Dues

Section 1.
HWA offers three types of memberships:

1. Individual Memberships: Dues for individual Affiliate, Associate, and Active members are $65.00 per year.


2. Corporate Memberships: Corporate memberships are available only to corporate entities who can show legally recognized business status and can demonstrate earned income substantial enough to qualify at the Associate level. Corporate members receive access to HWA's private web site for up to five people, all of whom must be bona fide employees of the corporation, and one annually updated hard copy of the Directory. Mailed materials are sent to a single address. Corporate members receive one listing (as "Associate") in the Directory. Nothing in this rule or in HWA membership relieves corporate members from compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and similar laws or regulations governing commercial communications with HWA members. Corporate dues are $110.00 per year.


3. Family Memberships: Family membership holders (up to three members of a family, whose status will vary according to their individual qualifications, each with separate listings in the Directory) share one annually updated copy of the Directory but have individual access to the members only web site. All mailed materials are sent to a single address. Dues for families are $85.00 per year.

Section 2.
Any new individual member joining HWA between April 1 and June 30 shall pay $50 in dues for the remainder of that calendar year. Individual members joining between July 1 and September 30 shall pay $35 in dues for the remainder of that calendar year. And individual members joining between October 1 and November 30 shall pay $20 in dues for the remainder of that calendar year. Individual members joining during the month of December shall pay $65, which will cover their membership through the end of the next calendar year. This applies only to persons, businesses, and families who have not been members of HWA at any time in the past two years.

Section 3:
Individuals who are provisional Affiliate members as of January 31, 2006 may purchase a 2006 membership at the special rate of $50 until August 1, 2006.

Return to "Join HWA"