IAPWE (International Association of Professional Writers & Editors): Is It Legit or Just Another Content Writing Trap?

The world of online freelance writing is full of promise—but also full of platforms that are not what they seem. One name that often pops up in the writing community is IAPWE, short for the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors. At first glance, it presents itself as a legitimate organization offering writing jobs, helpful resources, and membership benefits. But does it truly live up to these claims?

Let’s unpack what IAPWE offers, based on real user experiences and available information.

What Is IAPWE?

IAPWE markets itself as a professional association that connects freelance writers and editors with paid work. It claims to offer members access to writing gigs, editorial opportunities, and a network of like-minded professionals. It also promotes itself as a source of tools, resources, and guidance to help writers advance their careers.

However, many people—including the speaker from the transcript—argue that IAPWE is more of a curated job board than an actual employer or client. This distinction is important.

How It Works (In Theory)

Here’s the general process of how IAPWE claims to operate:

1. You sign up for free through their website.

2. Your application is “reviewed,” and you receive an email saying you’ve been accepted.

3. You’re informed that all payments will be made through Freelancer.com, a third-party freelance marketplace.

4. You’re encouraged to explore different membership options, some of which come with additional "benefits."

5. After logging in, you're given access to a list of writing job opportunities, which are largely scraped or reposted from other publicly available sources.

While the process seems harmless, it’s riddled with red flags.

Red Flags & User Concerns

Here are the main concerns raised by users and reviewers:

1. Membership Isn’t Really Free

Despite claiming to offer a free membership tier, users report being directed to PayPal during the sign-up process to pay a fee. The moment you click “submit” on your application, you’re redirected to PayPal for payment—before seeing any job listings or details.

Some users didn’t even realize they were signing up for a recurring subscription until after the charge had gone through.

2. No Jobs Are Directly Offered

IAPWE does not own or manage writing projects. Instead, it compiles listings from external job boards and presents them as exclusive content. This means:

• You still have to apply to each individual company.

• There are no guaranteed assignments.

• The jobs listed are not exclusive and can often be found elsewhere for free (on sites like Indeed, ProBlogger, or Contena).

3. Payments Go Through Freelancer.com

Another odd aspect is that IAPWE tells users that all payments will go through Freelancer.com. But why not pay directly through their platform, if they are the ones offering the jobs?

This creates confusion. If the actual hiring and payment happens on another site, what role does IAPWE really play, besides pointing you to jobs you could have found yourself?

4. Difficult Subscription Cancellation

Once you’ve entered your PayPal information and subscribed, cancelling the membership isn't straightforward. There’s no visible cancellation option on IAPWE’s site. You have to go into your PayPal settings and manually revoke the recurring payment authorization.

Several users reported frustration and continued charges even after attempting to cancel.

Is IAPWE a Scam?

It depends on how you define a scam.

Technically, IAPWE is a legitimate registered entity, and it does give you access to writing job listings. However, its business model relies on misleading sign-up practices and monetizing freely available content, which many consider unethical at best, deceptive at worst.

They do not directly employ writers, nor do they offer guaranteed work. What they’re really doing is selling access to a curated feed of jobs—jobs you could probably find yourself on legitimate freelance websites.

Alternatives to IAPWE

If you’re looking for real freelance writing opportunities without surprise charges or questionable practices, consider these options:

• Upwork – A widely used freelance platform with verified clients.

• Fiverr – Good for building a freelance writing profile and attracting short-term gigs.

• ProBlogger Job Board – One of the best free sources for high-quality freelance writing jobs.

• FreelanceWriting.com – Offers updated job listings from across the web.

• PeoplePerHour – Offers hourly and fixed-price projects.

• Contra – A modern platform for freelance creatives with no commission on earnings.

Final Thoughts

IAPWE presents itself as a helpful hub for writers and editors, but once you dig deeper, it becomes clear that its value proposition is shaky. You're essentially paying for curated job listings, not access to direct work or exclusive clients.

If you’re a new writer eager to break into the industry, be cautious. Platforms that ask for payment before delivering value, especially when masking that request behind unclear processes, should be approached with skepticism.

Verdict

Not recommended. You're better off using trusted freelance platforms that are transparent, free to use, and pay you directly.