The Authors League of America (ALA) was an American professional organization dedicated to representing and defending the rights of writers and screenwriters working in a variety of industries, including television, radio, theater and literature. Although the ALA merged with the Screen Writers Guild in 1954 to form the Writers Guild of America, its history and legacy remain important to understanding the evolution of representation for writers and screenwriters in the United States. Foundation and Objectives The Authors League of America was founded in 1912 to protect and promote the interests of professional writers. The organization's goals were to protect the copyrights, improve working conditions, and promote the professional and economic interests of writers and screenwriters. The ALA consisted of several divisions, including the Dramatists Guild for playwrights, the American Fiction Guild for fiction writers, and the Radio Writers Guild for radio writers. Each division focused on the specific needs of its members and worked to promote and protect their interests. Activities and Achievements Over the years, ALA has conducted a variety of activities to support writers and screenwriters. These activities include: Negotiating standard contracts for authors and screenwriters in various industries to ensure fair compensation and protect intellectual property rights. Advocating for copyrights and intellectual property rights, working to pass laws and regulations to protect content creators. Promoting freedom of expression and fighting censorship, opposing attempts to restrict the creative freedom and free speech of authors and writers. Organizing conferences, workshops and events to help writers and screenwriters develop their skills, network and share resources and information. Merger with the Screen Writers Guild In 1954, the ALA merged with the Screen Writers Guild to form the Writers Guild of America (WGA). This merger was intended to create a unified organization capable of representing screenwriters and content creators working in a variety of media and industries, and to better serve the changing needs of its members. The merger was also influenced by the changing media landscape and the rise of new media such as television, which offered new opportunities and challenges for writers and screenwriters. By joining forces, the Screen Writers Guild and ALA were better positioned to advocate for the rights and interests of their members.