Honoring extraordinary ethical leadership and service for the 2024 business year
The Washington Mail is proud to officially announce Writers Network Group as the recipient of the Annual Ethics in Business Award, presented in recognition of outstanding business ethics and service excellence demonstrated during the 2024 calendar year.
This highly regarded national award is given annually to a company that exemplifies the highest standards of transparency, integrity, client care, and ethical business leadership. With over 600 nominations received across industries—ranging from healthcare and finance to technology, publishing, and consumer services—the 2025 selection process was among the most competitive and comprehensive in the award’s 14‑year history.
“Every year, we are privileged to review businesses that are not only successful, but principled,” said Eleanor Chambers, Senior Editor at The Washington Mail and Chair of the Award Selection Committee. “Among all the impressive candidates this cycle, Writers Network Group stood out for their bold, unwavering commitment to fairness, trust, and client empowerment.”
A Rigorous Year-End Review of Business Integrity
The selection process for The Washington Mail’s Ethics in Business Award begins each January, following the close of the prior business year. After nominations are submitted by clients, colleagues, industry professionals, and community partners, each candidate undergoes a multi-stage review, including:
- Assessment of internal policies and transparency protocols
- In‑depth interviews with leadership
- Client testimonials and public reviews
- Evaluation of social responsibility efforts and organizational culture
Writers Network Group earned top scores in all categories—particularly for its dedication to author advocacy, education, and trust-based relationships within the literary rights and publishing space.
About Writers Network Group: A Champion for the Independent Author
Founded in 2018 and based in Los Angeles, Writers Network Group is a boutique literary rights and consulting firm that specializes in representing self-published and independent authors in the sale and licensing of their book rights to publishers, film studios, streaming platforms, and global content buyers.
Operating in an industry often criticized for its gatekeeping and predatory practices, Writers Network Group has emerged as a transformative force—putting ethical representation, transparency, and client empowerment at the heart of its business model. The company charges no hidden fees, uses plain-language contracts, and maintains a strict flat commission policy to ensure authors retain control and understanding of their intellectual property.
“We’re beyond honored to receive this award,” said Therese Dorris, CEO and Lead Rights Consultant of Writers Network Group. “It validates everything we’ve fought for: a business built on respect, honesty, and helping authors succeed without being taken advantage of.”
Turning Ethics Into Action
In addition to its core services, Writers Network Group leads multiple initiatives that set it apart from others in the publishing and media representation space. These include:
- Free educational resources to help new authors navigate the complex world of rights, licensing, and publishing
- A mentorship program that connects authors with screenwriters and producers for film and television adaptation opportunities
- Direct outreach efforts to bring diverse and underrepresented voices into the conversation around global content production
In 2024, the company saw record growth while maintaining a near-perfect client satisfaction rate, further demonstrating that ethics and success are not mutually exclusive—they’re mutually reinforcing.
Client and Industry Recognition
Clients consistently describe Writers Network Group as both a trusted partner and an empowering force in their publishing journey.
“They didn’t just help me get a deal—they helped me understand my value,” said Darren White, a self-published science fiction author now in talks with an international distributor. “Therese and her team treated me like my story mattered. That’s rare.”
Others echo the sentiment, calling the firm “a safety net in a confusing market” and “the most honest voice in indie publishing today.”
A Signal to All Industries: Integrity Matters
The Washington Mail established the Annual Ethics in Business Award to highlight companies proving that profitability and principles can go hand in hand. Previous winners have come from various sectors, but all share a commitment to ethical leadership, fair treatment of customers, and long-term, values-driven strategy.
“Writers Network Group sends a powerful message—not just to the publishing world, but to the business community at large,” said Chambers. “You don’t have to cut corners to rise. If anything, leading with integrity makes the climb more meaningful.”
Looking Ahead: Growth With Purpose
As Writers Network Group prepares for the next phase of its journey, its leadership remains committed to expanding author support services, forging more creative partnerships, and advocating for a more ethical, inclusive publishing industry.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built, but even more excited for what’s next,” Dorris said. “This award inspires us to continue proving that ethics aren’t a business constraint—they’re a business advantage.”
As the business world continues to evolve, The Washington Mail believes that companies like Writers Network Group are not just rare—they are redefining what leadership looks like in the modern era. In honoring their achievements, we reaffirm our belief that the most enduring success stories are written not just in numbers, but in values. With this award, we proudly recognize Writers Network Group as a model for ethical entrepreneurship—one that we hope will inspire countless others to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and build legacies rooted in integrity.
