Professional Outdoor Writers

                                              POMA

  Over five years ago some members of the OWA Outdoor Writer’s Association broke away due to some disagreements creating POMA, Professional Outdoor Media Association. From the start it was established that it would be for hook and bullet writers as opposed to other outdoor activities such as hiking and bicycling that the older OWA covers besides hook and bullet issues. One of the purposes of POMA is to get writers and editors together in order give writers a chance to generate income by writing more stories. The editors can let the writers know what they are looking for. With the sponsers present they can show new products and give writers a chance to examine them and write articles about whats new in the shooting and fishing world. For more info on POMA go to http://professionaloutdoormedia.org/ 

 POMA has a conference every year in a different city and for our 5’Th anniversy we went to La Port Indiana which is near Lake Michigan. The turnout was great with plenty of sponsers, writers, editors, and other related people and guests. Next year it will be in OgdenUtah which will be a little different then previous meeting place which has been in the mid west. Instead of the trees common in the Midwest you might get treated to some desert scenery.  The gatherings are like one big family.

 For someone who is getting started in writing hook and bullet articles and books POMA can be a big help in furthering your career. They have seminars and workshops to give the writer info on how to make money and expand your opportunities at their annual conference. Speakers are brought in who are successful in their fields and are more then willing to enhance a writer’s success. Also many of the senior writers will pass on tips to make you more successful. Writers have an opportunity to talk to editors to see what material they are looking for. You will get an opportunity to see how the market is moving including online magazines. Also many of the sponsers bring products for the writers to review and pick up story ideas. They have some excellent oppertunities to test and write about some of the products. Products include but are not limited to guns, ammo, scopes, knives and other shooting and fishing accessories.   Other events include fine dining put on by some of the sponsors. By the way the food is always good. POMA also has a money line list that comes out quite often. It has adds put in their from various magazines and other media sources that are looking for writers and photographers. This list is available to any POMA member and in itself can be worth the dues.  Other benefits include a photo gallery and tips on how to increase your income. There are also teleconferences and mediation services available. POMA along with the NRA one of our sponsors are also fighting for our rights to hunt and fish in the future. With all of the anti gun and hunting organizations afoot we need all the help we can get. They also stick up for our first amendment rights which are very important for us writers and photographers. 

 Another benefit of POMA is you get to shoot some of the new guns brought in by our sponsers including CVA, Remington, Winchester and Browning. Scopes and other shooting assesories are available for examination and trial. Trap shooting, a yearly event,  is a very popular event at the POMA giving everyone a chance to show off their skills. A writer has an opportunity to hook up with a manufacturer to get a loaner gun and ammo for testing and review. I can’t imagine having any more fun then shooting at a POMA convention. Fishing is usually available for those of us who like to drop in a line occasionally. You can try out some of the new fishing gear that is being introduced and see how you like it. There is new clothing, cooking gear and other camping related items to look over also. Archery products are also available for examination.  All in all POMA is an excellent way to further your career in hook and bullet writing.