I do have to say that Faithwriters is not a scam in any sense of the word. The private messenger feature is not just for getting opportunities for jobs. It's like anything else - you get what you put into it. The private messenger feature is very useful to me. I really think using the word "scam" is untrue. I have received several calls for submissions that are sent to everyone; I've received targeted emails from publishers who want my work; I am now a staff writer for Central Appalachia Christian News because of the PM; I got the job as Editor-in-Chief for Sisters in the Lord through the PM feature; I have used the PM feature to ask unpublished authors for permission to use their stories that are on their profile/webpage - this allows the unpublished writer to become published and on the road to paying opportunities; I also have an article under consideration (it's down to the last step) for "Rocking Chair Reader" that came through the PM.

For anyone who thinks Faithwriters is a scam, I encourage you to research the site. It is not necessary to sign up for private messenger and it is not a requirement. If you are well-versed in searching out markets and don't want to publicize yourself through Faithwriters, then by all means, don't use the PM feature. It's definitely not a scam.

If you browse around the Faithwriters site you can also find FREE Market Guides with links -http://www.faithwriters.com/myaccount/market-guide-magazines.php; FREE market postings on the Message boards - http://faithwriters.com/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=b634a50bd582440e54049736e3865ccf;act=SF;f=3
plus FREE articles on writing, FREE conference listings and much more. The amount of FREE services available are worth way more than a $36.00 Private Messenger subscription.

Evie is correct that many of the Private Messages are a general call for submissions; but if you have a profile on Faithwriters, meaning you post articles regularly and you fill in all the blanks with search terms, etc., then your chances of being contacted by a publisher increase. For instance, I needed a specific article on being a single parent and searched with that term. I found articles - not many, but two that I liked. I then used PM to contact those two writers because neither of them had a webpage or other email information posted.

There are many benefits to being a member of Faithwriters and the services the site provides for free are far beyond any other site. I don't believe it's fair to apply the word "scam" to an organization that gives far more than it receives.

I have been a member since April 2004 - almost a year exactly. Before then, I was published nowhere. Through them, I have been published in two books, several magazines, received some paying opportunities, and have grown my portfolio from zero to well-balanced.

I suggest taking more time to explore all the areas of Faithwriters before writing them off as a scam. The benefits, even without spending a penny, are only as much as a person wants to make them. By regularly participating in the message boards alone, for free, writers will find many writing opportunities. And if one enters the challenges, and wins, you are published in a book - another kudo.

The Forum part of Faithwriters is much like Boomer Women - with a small group of people being active. And it's those people who regularly seem to move forward. They make contacts, join the Critique Circle (another freebie), find opportunities, and have a support group.

Private Messenger is only one small part of Faithwriters. Again, I benefited in several ways from that $36.00 a year; but I believe it was because I pursued each message, kept my profile updated, and followed the guidelines. I have benefited so much from being affiliated with Faithwriters, that I look at the $36.00 a year for the private messenger feature, and the $10.00 a month I give on top of that to support the site as money well spent.

As a member of the FW 500 (the 10.00 a month support), I also landed a position as an editor for the Faithwriters Magazine, which netted me free advertising. By being a member of the 500, I help to support the enormous amount of material made available for free to the public - the site is huge and has over 10,000 regular members who benefit without paying a dime.

I feel my $10.00 a month is money well spent to continue to support a site that caters to writers who want to write in the Christian Markets. Just maintaining the site is an enormous expense because of it's size; not to mention the amount of work done behind the scenes to keep everything going.

I hope all that helps anyone who wants to know more about Faithwriters. In all instances, even if you never pay a cent out of pocket, as a writer you will benefit if you take the time to look around the site and become involved in the many free features.