Groups to join

LilaDubois · Sep 5, 2006

Hello all,

I was wondering what groups/organizations everone is involved in (both on-line groups/forums and professional organizations).

Now that (fingers crossed) Liquid Silver is publishing my first I figured it is time to hike up my bra straps, be a big girl, and get out there.

Stacia Kane · Sep 5, 2006

I'm a member of RWA and Passionate Ink, their online erotic romance chapter. I really need to do my PAN paperwork for RWA but haven't gotten around to it.

LilaDubois · Sep 5, 2006

DecemberQuinn said:
I really need to do my PAN paperwork for RWA but haven't gotten around to it.

PAN paperwork? :e2shrug:

dragonjax · Sep 5, 2006

RWA, local CR-RWA chapter, possibly Passionate Ink, just applied for PAN (Published Author's Network).

SWFA

HWA

Backspace

Once in a while, Writers Net

Stacia Kane · Sep 5, 2006

Sorry, Lila--as dragonjax just said, PAN is the Published Author's Network of RWA.

JanDarby · Sep 5, 2006

Ditto on belonging to RWA and Passionate Ink. I also belong to a couple local writers' groups, and RWA has in-person chapters (plus some other specialty on-line chapters like Passionate Ink, the erotic romance chapter) all over the place, and they can be invaluable for camaraderie and workshops.

But are you asking about groups to improve your craft or groups for promoting your book? RWA and Passionate Ink are great for craft. As for promotion, well, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax, and way outside my expertise.

JD

Brenda Hill · Sep 5, 2006

For those of you who are qualified to join PAN, do you know if there is a list of publishers they recognize? I've heard they recognize some POD publishers but not all.

Marlys · Sep 5, 2006

Southern Lady said:
For those of you who are qualified to join PAN, do you know if there is a list of publishers they recognize? I've heard they recognize some POD publishers but not all.

I can't link the list, because it's in the Members Only section. If you're an RWA member, go to the site and click the Industry Resources link from the Members Only menu, then on Market Update. If you're not a member, post your publisher and I'll look it up.

LilaDubois · Sep 5, 2006

dragonjax said:
SWFA

HWA

so....

Single White Female Authors

Hot Women Authors

got it... let the googleing commence!

Stacia Kane · Sep 5, 2006

Southern Lady said:
For those of you who are qualified to join PAN, do you know if there is a list of publishers they recognize? I've heard they recognize some POD publishers but not all.

I don't think they recognize any POD publishers. I could be mistaken there, but as far as I know the only two publishers they recognize who are mainly epublishers are Ellora's Cave and Triskelion, neither of which are POD.

dragonjax · Sep 5, 2006

LilaDubois said:
so....

Single White Female Authors

Hot Women Authors

got it... let the googleing commence!

Whoops. Sorry!

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

Horror Writers Association

Cathy C · Sep 5, 2006

As the others have said, these are some of the ones I belong to (click on the names to go to their sites):

Romance Writers of America (any romance writer can join--no requirement to be published)

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (must be published by print, advance paying publisher in SF/Fantasy genre to join as a full member.)

Horror Writers of America (must be published by print, advance paying Horror publisher to join as a full member)

I'm also a member of the RWAOnline chapter of RWA--this is an "all-internet" chapter with over 200 members from nine countries! It's got mega-published authors such as Sherrilyn Kenyon, Diana Gabraldon, JoAnn Ross, Claire Delacroix, among many others, as well as plenty of newbies, just getting started. Members hail from Canada, U.S., Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Barbados, England, and Sri Lanka (there might be one or two others, too. Can't remember for sure.)

Once you're multi-published, there's also Novelists, Inc., which started out to be the stomping grounds of some RWA members, but has grown to include multiple genres.

Now, the "non-paying" groups--meaning they're just forums like this one to hang out and have all sorts of different authors in various fields:

Romance Divas
Writers BBS
Writers.net

All in all, there's LOTS of places to get your "joining" feet wet, so plunge right in and have fun!

Brenda Hill · Sep 5, 2006

Thanks for your help. Another writer and I wondered if any small publishers were recognized by RWA.

dragonjax · Sep 6, 2006

Cathy C said:
I'm also a member of the RWAOnline chapter of RWA--this is an "all-internet" chapter with over 200 members from nine countries! It's got mega-published authors such as Sherrilyn Kenyon, Diana Gabraldon, JoAnn Ross, Claire Delacroix, among many others, as well as plenty of newbies, just getting started. Members hail from Canada, U.S., Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Barbados, England, and Sri Lanka (there might be one or two others, too. Can't remember for sure.)

Hey, thanks for posting this, Cathy -- I just registered! :Hug2:

Cathy C · Sep 6, 2006

Southern Lady said:
Thanks for your help. Another writer and I wondered if any small publishers were recognized by RWA.

Yes, there are. When/if you join RWA, you'll have access to their "Market Update" page, where they list the publishers recognized by RWA.

But here are some of the smaller pubs that are recognized. I don't know if they're presently accepting manuscripts though. That would be something you'd need to check out. I've spotted a BUNCH that aren't on my "Where to Sell your Romance" list, so I'll start doing some research to update that list. Stay tuned!

Red Sage Publishing
Triskelion
Virgin Books
Howard Publishing
Ellora's Cave
Cook Communications Ministries
Barbour Publishing
BelleBooks
Baker House Books
Bethany House
Loveland Press
Tyndale House Publishers
Zondervan

Quite a few of these are inspirational publishers, which I didn't have a list of when I started my list. I'll also wander through the latest RT and see if I can find some others. Hopefully, this list will become the PREMIER list of publishers for romance novelists/storytellers!

Stacia Kane · Sep 6, 2006

There's also Medallion Press.

Sonarbabe · Sep 6, 2006

Currently, I'm only a member of RWA.

Brenda Hill · Sep 6, 2006

Great information. Thanks.

Does anyone know if Mundania is on RWA's acceptable list? I haven't published with them, only thinking about submitting.

For me, becoming a PAN member is now more of an ego thing. So many of my friends are members and I've always felt, well, how most of us feel when we're left behind--inferior, unworthly, untalented, etc.

I'm also anxiously waiting for an agent to read the three chapters she requested after my query. Yesterday I received the postcard stating they had opened the mailer, so now the wait begins again. Does this ever get easier?

Maybe I should add that I'm not a romance writer. Instead, my stories are about women who, through the traumas in their lives, discover their strength.

jhgregory · Sep 8, 2006

RWA also has a Mystery Suspense Online Chapter, call KOD (Kiss of Death Chapter), which currently has several Yahoo group lists running. However, they're working on setting up a message board for the new website. (I hope.)
http://rwamysterysuspense.org

Too, there is RWA's PRO organization, for those in between unpublished and published. Requirement is to have completed one full (book length?) manuscript and received at least one "rejection" for it. A rejected query to a RWA recognized publisher qualifies as rejection. Two board members of your local chapter, whether physical or online, can verify that they have seen both the manuscript and the rejection letter and handle the details, or you can submit the MS and rejection letter to RWA National directly.

This shows you have what it takes to "complete" a manuscript and submit. It also shows that you are seriously interested in pursuing a romance writing career.

-Jo

Brenda Hill · Sep 8, 2006

I didn't know that, Jo. Thanks for the wonderful information. I'll check it out.

Susan Gable · Sep 10, 2006

Southern Lady said:
Great information. Thanks.

Does anyone know if Mundania is on RWA's acceptable list? I haven't published with them, only thinking about submitting.

.

No, Mundania isn't on the list.

Susan G.

Brenda Hill · Sep 11, 2006

Thank you, Susan.

Famous1 · Sep 21, 2006

Is SWA realy for single white females only?

Kasey Mackenzie · Sep 21, 2006

Famous1 said:
Is SWA realy for single white females only?

Um...Lila Dubois was making a joke because she was trying to figure out what SFWA stood for. Well, actually she was trying to figure out what SWFA stood for but that's because someone transposed the W and F. =) SFWA stands for Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

Hope that lessens the confusion.

Brenda Hill · Sep 23, 2006

Is Champagne Books on RWA's list? I've heard good things about them as well.

Groups to join

Girl Detective

I write stuff and break boards.

Girl Detective

Diva in Training

Resist. Love. Go outside.

Girl Detective

I write stuff and break boards.

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Diva in Training

I write stuff and break boards.

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Girl Detective

Working In A Coal Mine...

Diva in Training

jhgregory

Diva in Training

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Diva in Training

One Hit Wonder?

Diva in Training