Mission & Goals
To address, educate, coordinate, and support writing that acknowledges and documents the recognition of women and girls and their contribution to the history, culture and growth of the American West; to preserve the historical importance through writing and other literary skills available through publishing and the use of seminars, meetings, newsletters, conventions, competitions, and other communications tools.

Apply for Membership or Renew Your Membership

Questions? Please contact WWW Administrator, Alice Trego, admin@womenwritingthewest.org.

News from Women Writing the West:

WWW is honored to be awarded the Colorado Creative Industries Colorado Creates Grant which supports our programs, services, and activities.

WWW is pleased to announce
The WILLA Literary Awards,
The DOWNING Journalism Awards and The LAURA Short Fiction Award finalists.

The Winners and Finalists will be honored at the 2023 Virtual Conference on October 13, 2023.

The WILLA Literary Award Winners and Finalists
The DOWNING Award Finalists
The LAURA Short Fiction Award Finalists

29th Annual WWW Virtual Conference
October 12 – 14, 2023

For complete information and to register, visit the Conference page.

The Women Writing the West High School Writing Contest

Check out the WWW logo-branded Tee Shirts, Mugs, Notebooks and More!
All Funds go to support the WWW High School Writing Contest.


Periodically, WWW sends all-member emails that are filled with noteworthy information. Since WWW communicates with its members exclusively through email, please add web@womenwritingthewest.org to your contacts/safe-sender/whitelist, or whatever method you use to ensure inbox delivery of WWW emails. Additionally, for your convenience these emails may be accessed on the WomenWritingtheWest.org Members Only page by clicking on “Recent WWW Member Emails.”

WWW is a supportive and welcoming community of writers and other writing professionals who share a passion for the stories of the Women’s West, and will happily answer questions, lend their expertise, and will sympathize, motivate and celebrate with you on your writing journey.

An annual conference featuring respected writers, agents, publishers and other book professionals, plus camaraderie and just plain fun. Past locations include Albuquerque, Denver, Seattle and Tucson.

The annual WILLA Literary Awards (open to anyone), the DOWNING Journalism Award (open to anyone) and the LAURA Short Fiction Awards (open to members only) and LAURA Journal.

A way to connect with other writers of the Women’s West through our active online community, including the WWW email group, Facebook page, Twitter feed, and blog. Get answers to questions about research, writing, promotion, marketing, and giving talks and presentations.

Learn how other writers work and keep up with publishing industry news. Find support, encouragement and inspiration in a welcoming setting.

Links to members’ websites, a blog featuring writing by members on the Women’s West, along with monthly member email newsletters.

2023 President’s Message – Lynn Downey

Why Women Writing the West?

Join Us!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Featuring respected writers, agents, publishers and other book professionals, plus camaraderie and just plain fun. Past locations include Albuquerque, Denver, Seattle and Tucson.

EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS

Conference discounts, Members Only section includes Member Directory, link to your website, and more. Also, Social Media links and email group.

APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP, OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP, ONLINE

Memberships run on a one-year basis.

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR WWW MEMBERSHIP

Women Writing the West Logo without text

• Participate in the online community: JOIN the private member-only email group, SHARE your writing news through the Facebook page, and the WWW Blog, CONTRIBUTE to other WWW Social Media via TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST.
• Attend the annual conference to meet face to face, talk with agents and publishers, and be inspired by speakers and panels.

• Enter your books in The WILLA Literary Awards, your short stories in The LAURA Short Fiction Awards and your nonfiction published articles in The DOWNING Journalism Awards.
• Share a link to your website.
• Join other members in your area for organized gatherings or simply meet for coffee.
• Volunteer to help—learn new skills and make friends.
• And have fun!