RWA Controversy
Like any large organization, the RWA has had its share of controversy. During the 1989 elections, half of the Board Of Directors resigned when their candidates didn't win. In 1998 - 1999, the organization started what would end up being a decade-long (and still continuing) debate about Electronic Publishing (also called e-publishing) versus traditional publishing. The controversy ignited when the Board decided to remove PAN status for a group of authors who had been allowed to the join the committee based on the results of their e-published novels.
In 2002, a so-called "brouhaha" arose relating to the leadership of President Harold Lowry. The organization was sharply divided into factions with all sides calling for increased transparency in the organization. During this period, archives for the RWA private listservs were deleted, erasing much of the internal debate for the organization. In June 2005, President Tara Taylor Quinn ignited public debate when she introduced the notion of graphical standards for romance novel cover art. The resulting controversy was arguably the first to take place almost entirely outside the auspices of the organization. Members used their blogs to discuss opposition to the proposal -- and journalists and bloggers who were previously in the dark about RWA controversy began to weigh in on the topics.
Quinn was also reportedly responsible for another RWA controversy: the 2005 Awards Ceremony show. The show, which was supposed to be hosted by Nora Roberts was roundly panned. Roberts backed out of the hosting job when she objected to the scripting and imagery being used in what was supposed to be a celebration of 25 years of the Romance Writers of America. To quote Roberts:
As Ms. Quinn refused to read my statement, as agreed, before the awards ceremony in Reno, then again reneged on her agreement to read it after the awards, I will write it here.
"Nora Roberts declines to host tonight's awards ceremony as she feels the content is inappropriate and believes the focus should be on the nominees and the organization."
Oddly, I wasn't given a script by Ms. Quinn. One was provided by a member of the production team when I requested it on Friday afternoon in Reno. The only significant change I was able to implement, though I argued and debated with Ms. Quinn, Laura Hayden and Diana Pershing, was the deletion of the video containing the fall of the Twin Towers and the Oklahoma City bombing. How painful those images would have been to the many editors in attendance who lived though 9/11.
Instead of a celebration, a night of fun and anticipation for the nominees, and an entertaining and sparkling event, the audience was treated to a three-plus hour world history lesson, heavy on disaster, death, politics, war and tragedy--in one memorable moment, Don't Worry, Be Happy was played over those images.
I can't comprehend how such tragic events and images had a place at a ceremony meant to showcase the nominees and the organization. Nor can I understand how it was thought proper to juxtapose those with presenters being driven on stage in a limo, walking to the podium to Joan Riveresque commentary in a format that gave more play to the presenters than those who were lucky enough to take home a Golden Heart or a Rita.
The emcee's place in all this seemed to be to recite endless dry facts and figures of RWA dues, conference fees and sites over the last quarter of a century, instead of relating the heart of our organization. It was tempting to resign my membership. But it wasn't RWA that pushed this agenda. It was a handful of individuals. RWA has, as always, my respect, affection and gratitude. The current president has none of those.
Nora Roberts
Later, the organization faced more heat for its programming when it became apparent that reminisces about the found of the Romance Writers of America omitted any mention of founder Vivian Stephens. Once again, the blogosphere lead the debate while RWA tried to make amends. Later, the RWA Board of Directors released a public statement (via [[Alison Kent|Alison Kent's website] apologizing for the 2005 ceremony.
