Romance Writers of America, Incorporated

Overview

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1980 by Vivian Stephens, one of the few Black editors in the publishing industry at that time. Initially, RWA aimed to elevate the status and quality of romance writing across the United States. The organization has played a significant role in supporting romance writers, advocating for better contracts, and addressing issues such as copyright and plagiarism.

Founding and Early Years

RWA was established in response to a lack of recognition for romance writers within the broader literary community. The first meeting took place on December 15, 1980, in Houston, Texas, with Rita Clay Estrada elected as the organization's first president. Over the years, RWA grew to become the largest non-profit genre organization specializing in romance fiction, boasting over 9,000 members worldwide and more than 140 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Australia[1][2].

Activities and Advocacy

RWA's efforts have included:

• Networking and Education: Providing members with networking opportunities, workshops, and educational resources to enhance their writing careers.
• Contract and Rights Advocacy: RWA has been involved in negotiating better contracts for writers and advocating for copyright protection, including battles against plagiarism and unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
• Literacy Support: RWA has contributed significantly to literacy programs, raising nearly $410,000 for national and local initiatives[1].

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its success, RWA faced significant challenges, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion. In 2018, the hashtag #RitaSoWhite highlighted racial disparities in romance publishing, including the RWA's prestigious RITA awards, which had historically excluded authors of color. Following internal conflicts, including the suspension of a diversity advocate in 2019, RWA experienced a dramatic decline in membership and is currently facing financial difficulties[2][3].

Current Status

As of 2024, RWA has filed for bankruptcy due to financial obligations, including substantial hotel commitments for conferences. Despite this, the organization continues to operate smaller programs and is exploring new directions, such as launching new awards and advocating for policies related to artificial intelligence and authors' rights[2][3].