Romance Writers of America
Contents
About
Romance Writers of America (RWA) was founded in Houston, Texas, in 1980 by 37 charter members. The purpose of the organization was to organize writing conferences and to create a network to provide information and support for romance writers and other professionals. RWA now has over 9,500-member members worldwide; with 1,600 members published in book-length romance fiction. It is the largest fiction writing group devoted to a single genre. Unlike many writers' organizations, the RWA is open to both published and unpublished authors. RWA has more than 140 chapters throughout the world, with chapters in almost every state in the U.S. Some individual cities have multiple chapters--such as the three chapters in Houston, Texas.
The RWA Annual Conference is held during the summer. It is an important meeting for the romance industry, including a literary book signing and the giving of the various awards and contest winners. Among the committees that promote the goals of the RWA is the RWA Published Authors Network (PAN) which serves the needs of the group's published authors by providing supported and specialized conference programming. The RWA also offers an annual Academic Research Grant.
- Romance Writers of America Presidents - Members who have served as President of the RWA
- RWA Controversy - A look at the various controversies and scandals that have rocked the Romance Writers of America over the years.
On The Web
The Romance Writers of America
Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the RWA Annual Conference honors an author's entire body of work.
- Emma Merritt Service Award
- RWA Service Award
- Industry Award
- Bookseller Of The Year Award
- Librarian Of The Year Award
- Veritas Award
- PRO Mentor of the Year
- Centennial Award
In addition to these major annual awards, RWA also honors members who have published 100 or more books with a Centennial Award.
Contests
Chapters
U.S.Chapters
Alaska
- Alaska Chapter of RWA
Arizona
- Saguaro Romance Writers (RWA - Tuscon)
- Valley of the Sun Romance Writers of America
Arkansas
- Diamond State Romance Authors
California
Colorado
Connecticut
- Connecticut Romance Writers
Delaware
Florida
- Central Florida Romance Writers
- First Coast Romance Writers
- Florida Romance Writers
- Southwest Florida Romance Writers
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
- Coeur du Bois Chapter (Boise, ID)
Illinois
- Heart & Scroll RWA
- Windy City RWA
Indiana
- Indiana Romance Writers
Iowa
Kansas
- Mid-America Romance Authors (MARA)
Kentucky
Louisiana
- SOLA (Southern Louisiana)
Maine
Maryland
- Maryland Romance Writers
Massachusetts
Michigan
- Mid-Michigan RWA
Minnesota
- Midwest Fiction Writers (MFW) MFW website
- Northern Lights Writers
Mississippi
Missouri
- Mid-America Romance Authors (MARA)
- Missouri RWA MORWA website
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Romance Writers of America
New Jersey
New Mexico
- Land of Enchantment Romance Authors (LERA)
New York
- Central New York Romance Writers
- Hudson Valley RWA
- Long Island Romance Writers
- RWA New York City
- Saratoga Romance Writers
- Southern Tier Authors of Romance
- Western New York Romance Writers
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
- Rose City Romance Writers
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Romance Writers
- Three Rivers Romance Writers
- Valley Forge Romance Writers
Rhode Island
South Carolina
- Lowcountry RWA
South Dakota
Tennessee
- Music City Romance Writers (Nashville)
Texas
- Austin RWA Chapter
- Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA)
- Heart of Texas
- Houston Bay Area
- North Texas RWA
- San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
- Chesapeake Romance Writers
- Virginia Romance Writers
Washington
- Evergreen RWA
Washington, D.C.
- Washington DC Romance Writers
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Wisconsin RWA
Wyoming
International Chapters
- Calgary RWA
Online Chapters
- Aged To Perfection Seasoned Romance Writers
- Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest Chapter
- From The Heart Romance Writers
- Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal
- Golden Network Chapter
- Hearts Through History Romance Writers
- RWA Romantic Suspense/Mystery Chapter #144 (Kiss Of Death)
- Outreach International Romance Writers
- Rainbow Romance Writers
- Romantic Women's Fiction
- RWA Online
- Young Adult Chapter
