There was a mass migration of applicants to an RWA chapter of which I'm a member yesterday, and I have to tell ya, I'm thrilled to see it.
Whining about RWA's perceived snubs of the small press and e-published is one thing, and God knows I'm as guilty as any of it. But getting off our collective arses and making our voices heard through the existing framework within RWA is another, more effective method for those who disagree with RWA policies.
I'm thrilled by the number of signatures collected thus far on a petition urging RWA to reconsider the (clandestine) exclusion of certain small press and e-published authors from participating in the coveted RITA award. It tells me our numbers are growing.
Something Kristen Painter said on a loop we both belong to really hit home with me, and yes, I'm paraphrasing the bejesus out of what she said. But the gist of it was this. We, the dues paying members, are RWA. And she's right. Without us, our dues, and our support, there would be no RWA.
When it comes to the formation of the RWA board, we all have a vote, and every vote is important. If we want our plights as small press published and epublished authors to rise within the esteem of the RWA board, it is time to make ourselves an active, unified part of the change so many of us want.
There is a chapter within RWA, The Electronic and Small Press Authors Network (ESPAN) that exists "to enhance the careers of those members of RWA who are contracted with or have released books through electronic and small press publishers."
I suggest you do what so many other e-pubbed authors this week have done and join us. As per the chapter mission statement, "ESPAN will constantly strive to advocate for the good of the industry and the successful careers of its romance authors. In addition ESPAN will be an educational conduit to those who are interested in learning more about the industry and the part it plays in developing career romance authors."
Identifying the problem is easy, and thanks to Kristen Painter's efforts, that has been done.
It's up to us, as authors, to go the extra mile. Put your mouth where your money is and become part of the solution. The powers at be at RWA need to hear from us as a unified voice in an official capacity.
7 comments:
Amen, sister! We've all been fighting as individuals for recognition from RWA for far too long. We need to unite for the common goal or we'll never get that.
Exactly! Unification is the key :)
Thanks for pimping the petition. I firmly believe that as a group we can make a difference.
Yes! Well said :)
It's the beginning of a beautiful thing. And banding together is the start.
And more and more big publishers and conglomerates downsize and go out of business, the small press and e-publishers are going to become the majority. It still helps to get into the game early and learn how things work.
I have to agree with everyone's comments. I had to quit my local RWA chapter because the attitude toward epublished/small press authors is so bad.
No joke.
I had to fight to get my contracts mentioned our newsletter nor any news at all. The epublished/small press authors were not allowed to be included on the published writers page.
I found another RWA chapter that isn't like that but its an hour away, so don't get to go as often as I'd like.
Thanks to Kristen Painter for helping coordinate an effort to help our voices be heard.
Hugs,
Tambra
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