Gail Renard

"I was writing a series when, out of the blue, I was called by Richard Carpenter, a writer I respected but had never met. Kip (as he quickly became) asked if I would join him and other writers in the Guild? As we talked I realised that even though I had an agent, and a good one too, I still owed a large part of the professional fees, conditions and terms I enjoyed to the Guild. I liked the thought of the pension and perks, joined and was proud to receive my membership card.

"I poodled along happily for years when I got a call from another writer, the legendary Rosemary Anne Sisson. She asked if I would stand for the Guild's Executive Council (really, I've got to stop taking calls). There were precious few women comedy writers and Romy (as she quickly became) thought I had something to contribute. Since then I've been Television Chair, Deputy Chair, Chair and now Treasurer. I've seen at close hand how the Guild has helped members with problems and the Guild's also resolved a few of mine. Companies rarely give writers better pay and conditions out of the goodness of their hearts. I'd hate to think where we'd all be without the Guild."