Specialized Professional Organizations: Writers/Editors

There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands of different writing specialties to cater to every niche under the sun. Accordingly there are professional organizations to fill the career needs of these niche writers, below is just a sampling of the different groups to join and excepts from their websites explaining their offerings.

The North American Association of Travel & Lifestyle Writers

"Membership in TravelJourno is open to working professional travel, wine and food journalists, photographers, and broadcasters. Our membership also extends to publishers and editors of consumer and trade publication, book authors and freelancers. Affiliate membership is open to public relations personnel who represent clients in the wine, food, hotel, resort, cruise and airline industries."

New York Financial Writers' Association

"The New York Financial Writers Association is the nation's oldest organization devoted to business and financial journalism. Since its founding in 1938, hundreds of journalists from news organizations in every facet of media, newspapers, magazines, television, radio, wire services, online website services, and other new media have enjoyed the benefits and camaraderie of membership."

New York State Sports Writers Association

"Founded in 1967, the New York State Sportswriters Association has long been regarded as an authoritative voice and the leading source of information about scholastic athletics. Begun by sportswriters Larry Serrell of the Schenectady Gazette and Chuck Korbar of the Buffalo Evening News, NYSSWA membership grew from a mere 12 in 1967 to 246 in 1971. Larry died in 1983 and Chuck passed away in 1998, but they built the foundation of an organization that includes more than 300 reporters, coaches, administrators and assorted fanatics who receive 50 annual issues of the newsletter. Our membership includes prep writers and editors from virtually every newspaper in New York -- many of whom contribute countless hours compiling rankings information and statistics -- as well as a number of other media outlets and college coaches from across the country."

National Sportscasters & Sports Writers Association and Hall of Fame

"The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and Hall of Fame is the only organization dedicated to the crafts of sportscasting and sportswriting in the United States. Our more than 700 members are the most accomplished and talented sports media in the industry covering professional, collegiate and amateur sports both in the U.S. and abroad."

Association of Food Journalists

"The Association of Food Journalists, Inc., is a networking system especially created for journalists who devote most of their working time to planning and writing food copy for news media worldwide. AFJ's primary goal is to encourage communication among food journalists. In addition, AFJ tries to increase members' knowledge of food and to sharpen their writing, design and broadcast skills. The group also strives to foster professional standards among its members and other members of the media."

American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors

"The American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors is an organization of editors from the United States and Canada dedicated to the quality of features in newspapers and the craft of feature writing. AASFE supports its membership with an annual conference, a writing contest, an annual magazine and a Web site."