RWA President Pershing Responds

Remember Monday's fabulous post by Deidre Knight on the ESPAN blog? This one here.

Well, today RWA president Diane Pershing has responded. You can read that here.

I'm guessing a lot of people who were on the fence about leaving just got a big push off that fence.

Maybe RWA Isn't Right For Me

I'm starting to wonder. After all, President Diane Pershing says RWA's "purpose will be thoroughly diluted if members are not truly focused on writing romances as a career choice."

I'm not truly focused on writing romances and haven't been for at least a year and a half. Maybe two. Especially since my writing has gone more in the direction of urban fantasy and YA.

Does that mean I'm diluting RWA? I guess my 3 years as chapter vice president (2 different chapters), 3 years as webmaster (2 different chapters), 2 years as contest category coordinator and current status as chapter president (ESPAN) aren't worth as much as I thought.

And to think I was mulling over a run for the national board. But, ya know, I'd hate to dilute it or anything...

Nag Me, Please!

There are many things I must do today, but most important is calling RWA to renew my membership. I have to call because I'm dropping the extra $15 to have the RWR shipped first class and I can't make that change online (as they've responded to my email about doing just that.)

So, I have to make a phone call before my membership expires. Which is like any day now. So please, feel free to nag me until it's done.

Thanks. I knew I could count on you.

For A Non-Confrontational Person...

I certainly have started something. In case you haven't read about the petition I started, here's the deal in a nutshell. Just because you're a PAN member of RWA, doesn't mean you can enter your books in the RITAs. And if you're epubbed, but don't qualify for PAN, you're probably not eligible for the Golden Hearts either.

In this day and age, it seems the time is right for RWA to take a more progressive stance on epublishing, starting with a greater inclusion of those books and those authors.

In the April issue, the RWR will be publishing a shortened version of this letter I sent them (they only publish 350 words):

Recently one of my dear friends, M (as I'm going to refer to her), received a letter from RWA stating the two books she'd submitted for the RITAs had been disqualified due to them being "not mass produced by a non-Subsidy, non-Vanity publisher in print-book format." Last year, she entered the RITA without incident. Her publisher has not changed since last year. M is not the only epubbed author who has received this letter this year, either.

By RWA's definitions: "Subsidy Publisher" means any publisher that publishes books in which the author participates in the costs of production in any manner, including publisher assessment of a fee or other costs for editing and/or distribution. This definition includes publishers who withhold or seek full or partial payment or reimbursement of publication or distribution costs before paying royalties, including payment of paper, printing, binding, production, sales or marketing costs. M's publisher does not do any of this.

"Vanity Publisher" means any publisher whose authors exclusively promote and/or sell their own books and publishers whose business model and methods of publishing and distribution are primarily directed toward sales to the author, his/her relatives and/or associates. Neither does M's publisher do this.

In fact, her publisher is listed on RWA's Non-Subsidy, Non-Vanity Publisher Chart. (http://www.rwanational.org/cs/publishers_and_agents/nonsubsidy_nonvanity_publisher_chart)

So what's the sticking point? That little hyphenated phrase "mass-produced" which did not exist in last year's rules. When and where exactly was this addition announced? I tried to find it in various hot sheets and alerts, but couldnt. It seems this change merely showed up in some minutes, then in the RITA rules. RWAs take on mass-produced: The phrase mass-produced in print book format as it pertains to the RITA contest, is intended to define eligible books as those that are produced in sufficient quantity by the publisher to be offered for sale to the trade (booksellers and librarians) at standard discount rates and returnable. Yet many POD books carry these discounts and are returnable. It seems RWA doesn't know enough about the difference between mass produced and print on demand to actually clarify and enforce their own rules.

One of the greatest injustices is that M is not only a member of PAN, but due to her phenomenal sales, could be a member of PAN many times over. So she can be PAN, but not enter the RITA? Where's the equality in that? Wheres the unity so proudly lauded in the January 2009 issue of the RWR? Yes, we recognize you're a published author, but no, you cant enter our published author contest. In a recent letter from the RWA president in the RWR she talks about "If not now, when?" My thoughts exactly. This us vs. them mentality has gone on long enough. Epubs are here to stay. Treating them like a redheaded stepchild isn't going to make them go away. Why is RWA so worried about letting epubbed print books into the RITAs? Shouldn't an award for the best book be based on the writing and not the method of print production? There is already an imposed limit on RITA entries, so saying that adding epubbed print books would tax the system isnt valid.

My friend is out approx. $250 dollars (entry fees, cost of books and shipping) and so far, RWA won't even return her books. (Which she'd be willing to pay for.) M is heartbroken and I'm disappointed in RWA. This organization may claim to be the voice of romantic fiction, but on this issue, they certainly don't speak for me.

This letter was the impetus for me to create this petition: ChangeRWA. And while I realize not everyone will agree with what this petition stands for, that isn't going to stop me. I have a voice, as do those who have already signed the petition, and I intend to be heard.

Write, Right?

It's a rainy, overcast, coldish day here on the Spacecoast. Plus I'm in a mood. Makes it perfect for writing, don't you think? I mean, it's not like there's sun to be out in. And I have writing to do, tons of it. So today is one of those days where I'm giving myself a firm talking to about getting some pages done.
In other news, RWA claims its theme is "unity" this year. Huh. Really? So why is one of my critique partners, who is PAN and with her sales could qualify for PAN many times over, being told that her books are not eligible for the RITA? They were good enough last year. How is that a step towards unity? Sounds like more of the "us vs them" mentality. What a fat load of rubish.

Watch your RWR for a letter to the editor from yours truly in the near future. Don't mess with my friends. You'll get my Sicilian up. And you wouldn't like me when my Sicilian is up.

That is all. Go write before I start breaking knee caps.

Madam President, Get Real

According to several sources, like the AP and this one, RWA president Sherry Lewis doesn't think Cassie Edward's plagiarism is "clear-cut" and that concerning the whole issue about whether or not CE's plagiarism is actually plagiarism, Ms. Lewis says, "...I’m not qualified to make that assertion.”

You look like a reasonably intelligent woman. I'd bet good money you can read just as well as I can. (It might even be a prerequisite for becoming an RWA president.) Try it. Read through the various posts on this subject available all over the web. See what you think then. And please, don't let RWA come out of this looking like a group of foolish, ignorant women. Please.

I don't normally get too involved with crap like this, but this has got my Sicilian up. How hard is it to say if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck it must be a duck? There is still time to make a statement and do the right thing.

Open For Business

The RITA and Golden Heart contests are officially open for business. Any planning on entering?

RITA

Things I know about the RITA: It has the potential to make you dumber. *wink* Also, the little feather pen thing in her hand will eventually fall off. Maybe even the night you win it. Still, I covet one of my very own.

Golden Heart

Things I know about the Golden Heart: Wearing the award isn't recommended for daily use. It can turn your neck green. True story. Can't reveal sources though...

So, who's entering? Not sure if I am. I'd really love to be ineligible.

Nag Me. You Have My Permission.

For the first time in my history of attending RWA National Conferences, I am bringing work out clothes that I intend to use. The hotel has an exercise room and I plan on getting my butt into it. My fabulous roomie, Jax, will be joining me. We are determined to work out. Therefore, if/when you see me, you have my permission to ask me if I've worked out that day. (Jax hasn't given her permission to be nagged, but I say what the heck, have at it.)


See, I've been doing so well with my diet and exercise program (15 pounds gone now!) that I'm a little afraid of going to conference and blowing all my hard work. I figure this way, y'all can help keep me honest. Deal? Deal.

RWA Nationals

13 days to go!

Are you ready? I'm not - I'm close, but there is still a lot to do. I have appts. to make (hair, nails, spray tan), outfits to plan, 20 pounds to lose (kidding! I'm doing okay in that area), must confirm with the cat sitter as Hotrod will be traveling a few of the same days, must confirm with the restaurant for the Diva Dinner...what else? I know I'm forgetting something.

What's on your to-do list? Are you excited? I can't wait to see everyone!

Monday Update

* My "So You're Going To Conference" article in this month's RWR is getting some great responses. If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? It's my pick for article of the year. *grin*

* I've lost a total of six pounds so far on my quest to tighten-n-tone in time for Nationals. 38 days and counting! And if I keep up this pace of losing (doubtful - I know a plateau is in my future), I'll be looking better than ever in Dallas!

* If you haven't heard about it yet, Samhain has announced some really interesting info! Congrats to them! Also, they're running a first line contest on their blog.

* Not going to RWA's National Conference this year? There's a new reason not to feel left out! Romance Divas will be running an online conference for those "left behind." If you're an author and would like to get in on this by offering a workshop, doing a chat or Q&A, email me for more info.

Tomorrow's The Day!

Please help spread the word by passing this on to any relevant loops you're on:

Once again, Melynda Beth Skinner will be hosting her Unofficial List of Golden Heart® and RITA® Award Finalists at http://www.melyndabethskinner.com/finalists.htm on notification day, March 25th, 2007. She updates the list every few minutes throughout the day. There's also a bulletinboard/chat room, and great fun is had by all. If you'd like to help, send names of finalists, their entries' titles, & the category(ies) entered to melynda (at) melyndabethskinner.com.

Permission is hereby granted by Melynda Beth Skinner to forward this paragraph.