When I was at Odyssey, I was told that it was important for writers to belong to writing organizations. Some of the reasons include:
* networking
* someone to talk to the publisher on your behalf if there were problems (like they hadn’t paid you)
* place to learn which agents to pursue
* members share up-to-date info on open anthologies
* mentor programs
After Odyssey, I set about beginning my professional writing life by joining the HWA as an affiliate member. I also wrote, revised, and submitted my stories.
The stories invariably made use of their SASEs, bringing with them some very nice rejections letters. I understood it was part of the writing life and kept going, certain that if I improved I would one day be able to make the change from affiliate to full member.
Sadly (for me), the HWA decided to change some things and announced that in order to qualify as an affiliate, one had to sell at least one story to an approved market. They gave everyone a year and a half to do it in, but as much as I tried I couldn’t do it.
Here’s a secret; it wasn’t personal, I understood that the group was trying to show a more professional face, but when I left, I felt like I’d been pushed out.
It’s a goofy little feeling. There’s no evidence to prove it, and no one ever said or did anything to give it any validity. As much as I love and respect the HWA, though, a part of me felt like they didn’t want me.
The RWA/RT thing reminded me of it.
After Jan Butler asked the RWA to officially state that romance could only happen between a man and a woman last year, many people spoke out against her. When the RWA didn’t prohibite the genre, I decided to join them.
I was nervous the first time I went to my local chapter’s meeting (will they like me? Will they think I’m a bug eyed alien with cooties?). Despite my worries, the members were very professional and welcoming. The speakers they’ve offered are fantastic and I now look forward to each gathering.
Not having gone to the RWA National, I don’t know how they would compare with RT. However, they’ve got this panel (Swimming against the stream: alternative genres in erotic romance) that I would love to sit in on.
The magazine, meanwhile, will accept our ads. They won’t review the books, for they fear their readers will freak, but they will defend our right to advertise.
At their conference, though, they will not let any of us do a panel, and they will not stand by one of their authors if their display is taken down.
The RT conference was in April. Some people will downplay what happened. Others will hold a grudge and vow never to buy the magizine or join the organization (drink the kool-aid, as a friend once called it).
Me, I think we need to break out some crazy straws.
What happened with the HWA? Not personal. They were simply restructuring the organization. What happened with RT? Its mostly about money. They lost readers when they began reviewing erotica, and they’re afraid of losing more. Carol Stacy’s letter and comments aside, they need us. They need new ideas, new voices, new stories.
And new subscribers.
So, buy RT. Oooh and ahhh the ads. Join the RWA. Or the HWA, or SFWA, or whatever group interests you. Talk to others, show them you’re cool and not a bug eyed alien with cooties.
I think it’s important to belong to a writing organization. I think it’s equally important for the organization to belong to its writers.
Written by Luisa Prieto
Dark fantasy writer by day, dark fantasy writer by night. I'm charmingly dull that way ;)
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Ally Blue wrote,
Amen, sister! RT and RWA both desperately need new blood. They’re stagnating, because they are afraid of change. Life isn’t static. In order for anything - a person, a species, an organization - to grow and live, it needs to accept change with open arms. When we allow ourselves to stagnate, we die.
That said, I’ve never once bought the RT zine because I’ve never been interested in reading ANY reviews, I’ve never bought an RT ad because obviously I don’t get my money’s worth since they refuse to review me, and I haven’t joined RWA because money’s REALLY tight and I can’t afford to spend it on what would amount, for me, to a ridiculously expensive subscription to a magazine I’d never read. The closest local chapter to me is Charlotte, which is 2 hours away. I have too many online groups as it is, plus frankly if all they have to offer is support and encouragement I already get plenty of that without paying for the privilege.
You’re absolutely right, though, the only way to change things is from the inside. Kudos to you and Laura and J.L. and everyone else who’s taken the plunge and is trying to make a difference :)
Link | June 8th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Kimber wrote,
While I agree that it’s important, especially for beginning writers, to get that support and encouragement that organizations like RWA are so adept at providing, I tend to agree with Ally that for those of us not inclined to participate in *real world* writers’ meetings, shelling out the cash to join an organization that’s main draw is its magazine and workshop schedule seems like a waste of hard earned dollars that could be better spent in other ways–like buying ink cartridges and mailing off manuscripts etc.
But like you, Luisa, I do agree that one of the best ways to gain acceptance for ourselves and our beloved genre is to work at the opposition from within. I just don’t know if I want to be part of the RWA, or any group for that matter, that doesn’t want me or what I write to be included under its precious umbrella of whatever definition is in vogue this year.
Perhaps I’m being harsh in my judgment of RWA and the like. I did belong to the organization for a while several years ago and faithfully paid my dues and read my romance writer’s report each and every month, but even then I failed to see what I was really getting in return for my money.
Okay, so I’m not a joiner by nature. So everything I said here should probably be read with that in mind. *g* But I can say that I am going to have to think long and hard about shelling out what is, at least to my mind, an exorbidant amount of money each and every year to receive a magazine published by an organization that would prefer not to recognize me or what I write.
Great topic. Very thought provoking.
Link | June 8th, 2007 at 10:47 am