Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) is an informal but actively working organization of North Carolina-based freelance writers.
The organization was founded in 2003 by veteran freelancer Donald Vaughan of Raleigh as a way to stay in touch with individuals who had taken his class on freelance writing through Wake Technical Community College. Don’s philosophy was that beginning freelancers would benefit from ongoing support and encouragement, and that his mentoring would help guide them toward their goal of getting published.
In 2004, Don, fellow freelancer Mark Cantrell of Wake Forest and a handful of Don’s students decided to take the organization public in the belief that other area freelancers would enjoy meeting on a regular basis to network and discuss topics of interest to professional writers. Today, TAF has nearly 60 active members and continues to grow.
Though informal, TAF maintains a professional attitude toward freelance writing. The organization’s approach has always been to write toward publication, and that writers should be paid appropriately for their work. In 2008, TAF hosted its first annual one-day nonfiction writing symposium at the North Campus of Wake Technical Community College. The event, called Write Now!, was a tremendous success, drawing nearly 60 novice and experienced freelance writers from throughout the state. Write Now! 2012 is currently scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at the North Campus of Wake Technical Community College.
The markets in which TAF members have been published are as diverse as the group itself, and include regional newspapers, national health and medical publications, national pet and animal publications, regional and national gardening publications, national humor publications, national military publications and much, much more. Many TAF members are also published book authors. Visit the TAF Membership Page for a more comprehensive listing of members’ publishing credits.
A core philosophy within TAF is that writing is an ongoing educational experience. With that in mind, the organization has hosted an eclectic array of talented guest speakers at its monthly meetings, including:
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Nick Meglin, former editor of Mad Magazine. |
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John Boni, award-winning television screenwriter. |
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Paul Gilster, nationally published author and technology columnist for the Raleigh News & |
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John Kessel, award-winning science fiction writer and creative writing instructor at North |
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Lewis Shiner, nationally renowned science fiction writer and essayist. |
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Cynthia Barnett, former Executive Director, NC Writers’ Network. |
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Laura Poole, professional editor/proofreader |
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Amanda Lamb, crime reporter for Raleigh’s CBS affiliate, WRAL, and the author of several NC-based true-crime books. |
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Jay Price, military correspondent for the Raleigh News & Observer |
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Randy and Leanne Bernard, screenwriters/filmmakers |
Donald Vaughan |
Writing can be a lonely profession. TAF is proof it doesn’t have to be.