A Statement Regarding RWA
12/28/19
Dear Members,
As you may have heard, there have been resignations from the RWA national board in the past few days. We're saddened and frustrated by the news of this turmoil.
At New Jersey Romance Writers, our policy—and our passion— is to support diverse and marginalized authors, both published and pre-published, and we will continue to do so.
Our thanks to all of you for your current and future membership in NJRW.
Dear Members,
As you may have heard, there have been resignations from the RWA national board in the past few days. We're saddened and frustrated by the news of this turmoil.
At New Jersey Romance Writers, our policy—and our passion— is to support diverse and marginalized authors, both published and pre-published, and we will continue to do so.
Our thanks to all of you for your current and future membership in NJRW.
Updated NJRW Statements
1/5/20
The NJRW Board has delayed commenting on the issues with RWA and the censuring of Courtney Milan while we awaited an official response from the national board, with accountability for the action and apologies included. We have not received this. Our primary concern is the wellbeing of our members, and many of them have expressed to us their shock and hurt at the decision RWA made to punish Courtney for her review of a book. We agree with our members that the punishment was entirely inappropriate and that in fact, given the express exclusion of social media from RWA’s purview, the complaint should never have been heard.
As a board we are now in the difficult position of trying to convince our members that we are indeed there for them. This is especially true for the marginalized writers, who are trying to make themselves heard in this cacophony and now feel that once again they are being told to sit down and talk ‘nicely’ before anyone will listen. We urge the national board to do everything possible to reinstate the trust that we have so carefully built over the last few years.
As we said before, NJ Romance Writers are here to promote the careers of ALL our members. We welcome fresh voices from any background. We will not allow people who try to make another feel “less” for any reason disrupt the good work that so many members of RWA are doing.
The NJRW Board has delayed commenting on the issues with RWA and the censuring of Courtney Milan while we awaited an official response from the national board, with accountability for the action and apologies included. We have not received this. Our primary concern is the wellbeing of our members, and many of them have expressed to us their shock and hurt at the decision RWA made to punish Courtney for her review of a book. We agree with our members that the punishment was entirely inappropriate and that in fact, given the express exclusion of social media from RWA’s purview, the complaint should never have been heard.
As a board we are now in the difficult position of trying to convince our members that we are indeed there for them. This is especially true for the marginalized writers, who are trying to make themselves heard in this cacophony and now feel that once again they are being told to sit down and talk ‘nicely’ before anyone will listen. We urge the national board to do everything possible to reinstate the trust that we have so carefully built over the last few years.
As we said before, NJ Romance Writers are here to promote the careers of ALL our members. We welcome fresh voices from any background. We will not allow people who try to make another feel “less” for any reason disrupt the good work that so many members of RWA are doing.
1/8/20
A letter from New Jersey Romance Writers to RWA National Leadership:
Throughout the shocking and disturbing news that continues to come out of the national RWA offices, NJRW has tried to base our statements on what can be verified. The latest letter from previous presidents and officers of RWA gives information that shows that Damon Suede, current president, and Carol Ritter, current Executive Director, have not acted in the best interests of RWA and its members. The handling of the Courtney Milan complaint shows that they are not following the stated aim of RWA to welcome and encourage writers from marginalized backgrounds. RWA's failure to provide any form of advocacy, assistance or guidance to members who are owed royalties by Dreamspinner Press shows that they are being selective in their advocacy, in conflict with the stated promise of RWA to support its authors against publishers. The handling of Damon’s eligibility for president shows that they will distort RWA bylaws for their own benefit.
NJRW has no faith in Damon or Carol to conduct business in the best interests of RWA. For the welfare of RWA, therefore, and to regain the trust of our members, we demand that Damon Suede and Carol Ritter step down from their posts immediately. We would then like to see the election of a diverse leadership that will truly represent the stated aims of the organization.
Again, New Jersey Romance Writers is a group that seeks to be a space for *all* authors and aspiring authors. We will continue to listen to our marginalized members and will strive to improve wherever we fall short.
The NJRW Board and Membership
A letter from New Jersey Romance Writers to RWA National Leadership:
Throughout the shocking and disturbing news that continues to come out of the national RWA offices, NJRW has tried to base our statements on what can be verified. The latest letter from previous presidents and officers of RWA gives information that shows that Damon Suede, current president, and Carol Ritter, current Executive Director, have not acted in the best interests of RWA and its members. The handling of the Courtney Milan complaint shows that they are not following the stated aim of RWA to welcome and encourage writers from marginalized backgrounds. RWA's failure to provide any form of advocacy, assistance or guidance to members who are owed royalties by Dreamspinner Press shows that they are being selective in their advocacy, in conflict with the stated promise of RWA to support its authors against publishers. The handling of Damon’s eligibility for president shows that they will distort RWA bylaws for their own benefit.
NJRW has no faith in Damon or Carol to conduct business in the best interests of RWA. For the welfare of RWA, therefore, and to regain the trust of our members, we demand that Damon Suede and Carol Ritter step down from their posts immediately. We would then like to see the election of a diverse leadership that will truly represent the stated aims of the organization.
Again, New Jersey Romance Writers is a group that seeks to be a space for *all* authors and aspiring authors. We will continue to listen to our marginalized members and will strive to improve wherever we fall short.
The NJRW Board and Membership
New Jersey Romance Writers Mission Statement
New Jersey Romance Writers Inc was chartered as a state chapter (#34) of the Romance Writers of America in 1984 to serve as a nonprofit trade association for romance writers. The mission of NJRW is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers by providing support, educational information, and resources to both published and unpublished authors.
Although the association is called NJRW, membership is not limited to individuals living in the state of New Jersey. NJRW fosters connections between its members through the NJRW website, www.njromancewriters.org, a private Groups.io loop, and a membership newsletter, and provides opportunities for members to come together to discuss the industry and build connections with fellow romance writers.
NJRW hosts one of the largest regional conferences that provides the perfect opportunity for authors to increase their knowledge of the business and network with industry professionals and fellow writers. The conference offers dozens of workshops with topics ranging from beginning writing skills, to the business side of writing. Romance fiction editors and literary agents search for new talent in scheduled one-on-one interviews, give workshops, and network with attendees.
NJRW also sponsors the romance publishing industry’s prestigious awards for published and unpublished romance writers—the Golden Leaf and the Put Your Heart In A Book contests. These awards recognize excellence in romance fiction.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this diverse and growing community, visit the Join Us section for more information.
Although the association is called NJRW, membership is not limited to individuals living in the state of New Jersey. NJRW fosters connections between its members through the NJRW website, www.njromancewriters.org, a private Groups.io loop, and a membership newsletter, and provides opportunities for members to come together to discuss the industry and build connections with fellow romance writers.
NJRW hosts one of the largest regional conferences that provides the perfect opportunity for authors to increase their knowledge of the business and network with industry professionals and fellow writers. The conference offers dozens of workshops with topics ranging from beginning writing skills, to the business side of writing. Romance fiction editors and literary agents search for new talent in scheduled one-on-one interviews, give workshops, and network with attendees.
NJRW also sponsors the romance publishing industry’s prestigious awards for published and unpublished romance writers—the Golden Leaf and the Put Your Heart In A Book contests. These awards recognize excellence in romance fiction.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this diverse and growing community, visit the Join Us section for more information.