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Writers' Village University Membership Information

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Margaret I. Carr

What is FREE?

There are those who say nothing is really free, there is always a cost. That cost may include money or it may not. Here is a look at the costs and benefits of some of the Writopia group.

For T-zero Xpandizine

It costs you:

• a few minutes of time to sign up for a subscription

You get:

• email notices when the new issues are up
• email notices of class start dates
• access to the archives of back issues (online)
• the new Forum where you can post letters to the editors and contributors.

You DO NOT get:

• a Password or
• membership in/access to other sections.

Additional costs: more of your time to log on and read the 'zine (Bob is working on an auto-responder for those who prefer an email version. Since many people have email that only accepts plain text the format will be simplified.)

F2K: Fiction Writing for the New Millennium (offered six times a year, when and where to register and when sessions start announced in email notices.)

It costs you:

• time
• effort
• There may also be a textbook.

You get a Password that gives you:

• access to six Lessons to help you improve your writing skills;
• an assigned Study Group;
• optional Chats twice a week;
• explanations of the Lessons and
• help finding your way around the site from a Course Guide who has taken the class;
• Peer Feedback on your lessons and
• the opportunity to learn through Giving Feedback to your peers.
• You also get to know others who have the same dreams and goals.

Note: F2K is the updated free version of Fiction 99 and is available to both non-members and WVU members. It can be taken as many times as you wish but you must re-register for each Session. Course Guides do not give Feedback.

F2K, the pay version

It costs you:

• time,
• effort,
• the fee of $22.00 and
• the cost of the textbook.

You get a Password that gives you:

• access to the same Lessons and Chats as the free version
• PLUS assignment to a small group with an experienced Mentor who will give you individual Feedback.

Fiction 401 (offered once a year, registration to be announced.)

It costs you:

• time
• effort
• the cost of the textbook.

You get a Password that gives you:

• access to Lessons;
• a "classroom" board;
• a class facilitator who will provide explanations and assistance finding your way around;
• peer Feedback; and
• the twice a week optional Chats.

Writers Village University (WVU) membership (start anytime)

It costs you:

• the annual membership fee of $59.00
• (plus a one time setup fee of $15.00 when you first join);
• as much time and effort as you can/are willing to put into it; and
• the cost of the textbooks.

You get a Password that gives you:

• access, for twelve months from the date of enrollment,
• to all of the 130 plus
  • Classes,
  • Workshops and
  • Seminars (but not to F2K);
• all of the Chatrooms;
• the WVU Library;
• Study Groups;
• special Guest and Topic Chats
• and more.