SEMWA, the Southeast Region chapter of Mystery Writers of America, covers the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The purpose of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America is to further the writing, publishing, and marketing goals of our chapter’s members by organizing, sponsoring, and promoting activities to that end.

If you’re interested in joining us, you need to start by going to http://www.mysterywriters.org to join Mystery Writers of America. As a member of the national organization, you automatically become a member of SEMWA if you live in one of the six states listed above.

Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. We provide scholarships for writers, sponsor MWA:Reads (our youth literacy program, formerly known as Kids Love A Mystery), sponsor symposia and conferences, present the Edgar® Awards, and conduct other activities to further a better appreciation and higher regard for crime writing.

MWA also works to educate writers and those who aspire to write regarding their rights and interests, and to make writers and readers aware of matters which may affect crime writing through legislation, publishing industry practices, judicial decisions, or in other ways. Our membership includes writers of books, short stories, plays, and screenplays; publishers, editors, agents, librarians, booksellers, and other in allied fields; aspiring writers and others devoted to crime writing.

Membership is open to the public, and you need not reside in the U.S. to join. MWA is a nonprofit organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.