As many of you already know, I am an associate member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA, link). Obviously, I am a fan of romance novels ... and I found it inspiring, stimulating, and engaging to surround myself with creative forces. Being a member of RWA offers a balance to life as a military spouse and community volunteer. I attend local meetings of the Washington Romance Writers (WRW, link) and the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW, link).
I also travel each year to the RWA Annual Conference. In 2015 in New York, Kim Rocha and I presented a workshop, A Tale of Two Bloggers. In 2016 in San Diego, I coordinated two workshops - The Joy of Writing and Reporting for Duty. For 2017, I submitted two more workshops - cross your fingers that they are accepted!
In 2012, my kids came with me from Hawaii to Anaheim -
hubby was moving to Korea! Kids volunteered in
Aloha shirts at the publishers' book signings.
RWA heads to Orlando for the 2017 Annual Conference at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel. The RWA Board recently announced the new schedule (link), including a focus on librarians, bloggers, and readers on Saturday, July 29:
Librarians Day Event 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Workshops 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Chapter Leadership Breakfast and Town Hall TBA
Blogger Event (separate, ticketed event) 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Librarian Luncheon (ticketed event) 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Librarian Luncheon (ticketed event) 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
"Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The Librarian Day and book signing previously kicked off the conference on Wednesday. The move to Saturday, plus the addition of the Blogger Event, expands RWA's reach to consumers - a critical component of a writing career. I believe librarians, bloggers, and readers are more likely to attend an event on Saturday, especially with the conference in an isolated location such as Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
The Librarian Day and book signing previously kicked off the conference on Wednesday. The move to Saturday, plus the addition of the Blogger Event, expands RWA's reach to consumers - a critical component of a writing career. I believe librarians, bloggers, and readers are more likely to attend an event on Saturday, especially with the conference in an isolated location such as Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
Many authors have expressed concern about other changes on Thursday:
PRO Retreat TBA
Workshops 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Golden Heart (Unpublished) Awards Luncheon with Special Guest Emcee 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.
RITA Awards (Published) Ceremony with Special Guest Emcee 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Previous conferences ended with a combined Gold Heart and RITA Awards Ceremony on Saturday night with the glamor of the Oscars. The RWA Board offered an explanation (link),
We want to give more attention to finalists and winners and provide them with more professional opportunities throughout the conference. Rather than merge both ceremonies, the Board felt this was a way to focus on the accomplishments of unpublished and published finalists.
Numerous authors have expressed concerns on Facebook that splitting the ceremonies devalues the Golden Heart; the finalists who do not win will feel awkward for the rest of the conference; and the Board did not coordinate these changes with the members. Some also question the value of RWA.
Barbara Samuels' six RITAs
Creative Commons (link)
As an associate member, I don't have a horse in this race. But I still have an opinion which I share with you.
- The combined awards ceremony on Saturday night was too long. It ran late. I have not stayed for any post ceremony party because I had an early flight the next day to get back to reality.
- Those who believe conference goers will not attend the Golden Heart Luncheon because of competing meetings need to lead by example - support your unpublished sisters. The Golden Heart nominees can live their "princess moment" at the luncheon by dressing up - it's Disney after all!
- Finalists are still "winners" - they are announced long before the conference. They reference themselves as "finalists" in marketing material even after the conference. Do not let the date of the ceremony diminish their accomplishments. Again, if we lead by example by congratulating all finalists throughout the conference, then we embrace our industry's excellence.
And the value of RWA? As a military veteran, military spouses, community volunteer, and minute taker for a benefits association board, I have seen nothing like RWA. It empowers independent entrepreneurs who seek to balance the creative process with business success. RWA is what you make of it - the more you contribute, the more you gain from the experience. We can all learn from each other no matter where you are in your publishing career.
Authors have long advocated for RWA to embrace changes in the publishing industry. Now the board is promoting a change to improve the conference experience. I encourage authors to give it a try.
And the value of RWA? As a military veteran, military spouses, community volunteer, and minute taker for a benefits association board, I have seen nothing like RWA. It empowers independent entrepreneurs who seek to balance the creative process with business success. RWA is what you make of it - the more you contribute, the more you gain from the experience. We can all learn from each other no matter where you are in your publishing career.
Authors have long advocated for RWA to embrace changes in the publishing industry. Now the board is promoting a change to improve the conference experience. I encourage authors to give it a try.
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| Walt Disney World |
Finally, let's look at Wednesday, July 26:
Level Up: In-depth workshops specific to taking your career to the next level, 1:00 - 5:30 pm:
Indie Track
Emerging Author Track
Master Classes
First Timers' Orientation 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tours - TBA.
Tours. I love tours! Last year, I coordinated the tour of the Navy Base Coronado in San Diego. And I know a thing or two about Florida ... I grew up in Miami, attended high school in Clearwater, and graduated from the University of Tampa. Author Elle Mason has published an awesome planning guide for staying (and playing) on Walt Disney World on her blog (link). However, I will be pitching several tours outside WDW - stay tuned next week for things to do beyond Mickey!
Lucky guards the convention stash ...
Let's giveaway a book from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,
1. What do you know (or love) about Orlando, Walt Disney World, or Florida?
2. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US residents (and those with an APO address). But I welcome comments from all readers and authors!
3. Comments for the giveaway is open through Sunday, November 27, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, November 28.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Here's what I know about Walt Disney World - the Shades of Green (link) began as Disney's Golf Resort across from the Polynesian Hotel. It was then sold to become an Armed Forces Recreation Center. Any ID card holder - military or civilian, active or retired - can make a reservation and use its facilities. My family has stayed several times at the Shades of Green!
Shades of Green
