Update on the new erotic romance authors group: there are more than 100 members already, the request for RWA approval is in process, and all the various business items related for forming a new chapter, incorporating, etc., are underway. The big question right now is which way the wind in RWA is blowing because the membership will be voting on two proposed mission statements that will determine the future course of the organization. Get out and vote, members.
What you give; what you get. Somebody in this newly formed group asked what was the point of joining RWA. Good question and one I struggle with every year when renewal time comes up. There are two sides to this coin. One is what you give. The other is what you get.
What you get: the RWR, a monthly publication filled with industry news, market updates, first sales information, craft and business articles. RWA e-notes, a monthly online newsletter filled with more of the same and 2nd book sales information, also very useful to those wondering which publishers are building ongoing relationships with new authors. Access to the Member’s Only section of the RWA website, full of useful information, including RWA approved agents. That in itself is a very useful resource when you’re beginning the agent quest. Networking opportunities. Opportunities to learn from other members. Editor and agent appointment availability at local, regional and national conferences, along with educational and networking opportunities at those same conferences. And of course the chance to make and maintain friendships in the business. I’ve made some terrific friends in RWA over the years.
What you give: this is the one that probably gets overlooked. Certainly I have overlooked it in the past. One huge thing we as a group have to give is education about our subgenre and the realities of our part of the romance industry. The vast majority of RWA members who are struggling to master craft, learn the business, and get published have no idea of the opportunities available in erotic romance. For instance, Amber Quill Press and eXtasy ebooks are now at the same sales level that gave Ellora’s Cave their initial RWA publisher recognition status. The rules got changed in the last month and now they don’t qualify. (EC still does.) But this is a little-known fact and members do not know that these publishers are good ones to deal with.
Published members are also very much in the dark about this subgenre. There’s a lot of confusion over the difference between erotic romance and erotica, about sales figures, about why this is both legitimate romance and legitimate publishing experience.
As I see it, RWA as an organization and our fledgling group as a chapter have a great deal to offer each other. We are a large part of the romance industry and we deserve to have a voice in our national organization. Likewise, RWA deserves to have our expertise, our knowledge, our inside experience to support, educate and assist writers in the road to publication and beyond (where it gets more complicated and support and education are still needed).
Recent Comments