CWILA launches membership drive to promote gender equality in Canadian writing!

Canadian Women in the Literary Arts (CWILA) wants to connect with supporters of women's writing across the country.

The organisation is launching a membership drive to expand their reach, which has grown exponentially in the three years they've been researching and publishing information about the gender gap in Canadian book reviewing. Joining CWILA means supporting equitable critical culture in Canadian literature.

CWILA's infographic-based, carefully distilled information has come as a surprise to some in the Canadian writing and publishing industries, while for others it confirmed biases already expected. They also recently created a unique critic-in-residence position, which is currently occupied by Halifax-based writer and critic Shannon Webb-Campbell. For critics interested in working with CWILA, the deadline for the 2015 critic-in-residence position is today, Monday November 10th, 2014.

According to data collected by CWILA in 2013, only 37% of Canadian book review space goes to books written by women, while 57% goes to books written by men. In response to these startling statistics, CWILA and its supporters advocate for gender equity and positive community in the literary arts.

The membership drive will run until December 15, 2014. Membership dues are $25 annually and support CWILA's two main programs, the annual count of book reviews by gender, and the Critic-in-Residence program. Consider visiting the CWILA website and joining up to promote women's voices in literature!