I’ve never been a huge fan of big organizations, and RWA (Romance Writers of America) is no different. My reasoning is because, really, they do nothing for me. Now, this could be because I live in a city with no local chapter, and the online chapter I belong to doesn’t seem to offer much that is of use to me. Sure there’s workshops and critique groups, and even a yearly contest, but these are mostlygeared toward unpublished, or newly published writers. Sure, I could get more involved, and maybe if I spoke up, more things of interest to me would be offered … but I admit, I’m just not that into it.
In defence of RWA and the online chapter, I do know many writers of all levels who enjoy and love both. I do believe you get out what you put in, and I don’t put in much.
I’ve come to the conclusion that they are just not what I need. I tend to get much more out of informative blogs like PBW and Alison Kent and free communities like Romance Diva’s.
I do enjoy the RWA conference, though I believe that’s more because I get to meet all my online friends than anything the organization actually does. Now, why am I saying all this? Because RWA has stated that they will not create an Erotic Romance category for the yearly RITA contest.
Am I surprised? No.
Am I disappointed? Yes.
Did I voice my opinion? Yes, I did.
Right now, this is still at the Proposal stage. Please, if you are an RWA member who feels that Erotic Romance deserves it’s own category in the Golden Heart / Rita contests now is the time to speak up. Go to RWA’s Website and in the top right hand corner after you sign in, you will see a Box with links to the Board Recommendations for Changes to the RITA and Golden Heart Contests You can read the changes (and there is quite a few, many not to do with Erotic Romance that might interest you as well). There is also an invitation to voice your concerns with any of the proposed changes.
I am posting part of my own letter to them as to why I feel a category is needed, in hopes that you will also speak up.
I’m writing to voice my disappointment that RWA will not be creating an Erotic Romance Category. While I do understand the reasoning that the romance is what the books are all about, not the sexual situations and that the level of sexuality should not determine a books category, I firmly believe that erotic romance still requires a category of it’s own to be judged equally.
Erotic romance novels are romance stories, but the way they are written, the tone, the voice and the language used to achieve the classification of Erotic Romance is very different from any other sub-genre of romance. As an author who started out writing traditional Erotica, and who writes in both genres, I feel I have a very good grasp of what the differences are. I fear that many authors who are not familiar with traditional erotica often are shocked, or distracted, by the frank language and sometimes envelope pushing sexual situations in erotic romance stories and that this sometimes blinds them to seeing the romance, because the romance is not always as blatant as the erotic aspects. I’m also upset that so many new writers think that an erotic romance has to have many, many sex scenes or extremely kinky sex scenes to be considered erotic. True erotic romance (as well as true erotica) is not about how many sex scenes are in a story, or how explicit or kinky they are. What makes a story erotic is the emotions involved. The overall tone of the story/book, not just the sex.
Without this support and showing of what is considered excellent erotic romance, new writers, and even experienced writers who are just new to the sub-genre, will continue to flounder. I have given workshops and taken part in many open discussions in romance communities about this sub-genre. I have judged both published and unpublished contests for Passionate Ink, the erotic chapter, and I have seen too many sub-standard stories. I see too many authors who think that adding more sex, or adding kinkier sex scenes to a romance makes it erotic. This is not true erotic romance, but without guidance from the organization and clear examples of what IS excellent erotic romance, how are they to learn? There are many voices and many authors with opinions of what is good erotic romance, I’m sure not everyone shares my own opinion. However, without a clear category, and clear examples, how is the membership to find it’s way? Who’s voice will stand out amongst all the ones that are screaming “No, this is what a good erotic romance is!”
Do I think my opinion will make a difference? Not really. But at least I know I voiced my opinion. :batman:
Well said.
I’m new to your work, having only read The Cop and Gypsy Heart. I confess I didn’t know what to think when I read the warning on the back of Gypsy Heart. I thought I’d read explicit stuff before, and I didn’t find anything shocking between the covers of Gypsy Heart. I found a good story. Sure, there were sex scenes written graphically but no more than I’d read elsewhere (I’m neither a regular romance reader nor a regular erotica reader, so maybe that’s part of it) in mainstream fiction.
I’m not a member of RWA; however, I hope enough members will express a similar opinion to yours. This is an opportunity for the organization to recognize solid writing in a growing sub-genre, which will grow whether they support it or not. I’ve heard plenty of criticism along the lines of your concerns for frequency of sex scenes or amount of kink written in, and I agree this is most likely happening because excellent examples are not held up to authors new to the sub-genre.
Thanks Jean.
I have to admit, when people say erotic romance, or even erotica, is all about the sex it hits a hot button for me. Sex and sexuality are certainly a large part of things, but they should never replace emotion, characterization, or story. The elements should all blend…IMO. 🙂
While I hate labels because they tend to limit the description of the work, I would have to agree that your work falls into the erotic romance category, with equal parts of hot sexuality and a strong romance element, and I’m disappointed as well that RWA doesn’t recognize this as a valid category. I have an issue that an organization has decided not to acknowledge this subgenre, especially since it’s about 50 percent or more of what I read and will continue to do so as long as the writing is strong and hot and empowering. And the reason why these stories work so well is the emotional connection between the characters, and that, to me, is romance.
I agree 100%, Stacy. I’m not real fond of labels either, but there are times when I do think they help instead of harm. Especially in situations like a contest.
In all honesty, all this whole thing has really done for me is cement the idea that I’m not really an “organization” fan. 😳
I voiced my opinion too, Sasha. Now we’ll see what happens.
That really gets at my disappointment with the new proposed RITA guidelines. It isn’t enough to add all heat levels within categories because writing an erotic romance is *different* than writing a romance with a sensual heat level or below. No, the story isn’t all sex, but sex takes a different weight in the story. There are different skills involved when writing a sensual romantic suspense novel and writing an erotic romantic suspense novel (I’ve written both).
If say, inspirational gets a category because it’s recognized a specific skill set goes into writing an inspirational romance, or historical or whatever, erotic needs its own category for the same reason. It’s not better or worse than any other sub genre, it’s different, significantly different enough that I think erotic romance will continue to be the loser in the categories because of those differences.
Yay Charlie. I really dfo think if we voice our concerns in a reasonable and professional manner, it increases our chances of being heard.
Lauren, I agree 100%. The overall tone and pacing of erotic romance is unique to it’s genre, as is the skill set to write it well. Erotic romance is more than just romance with hot sex scenes. *sigh* I do fear it will be a long time before the organization accepts this, but at the same time, I needed to speak. And encourage others too as well. :great:
That was very well said Sasha.
I’m not surprised RWA has taken this stance. If there is a category for Regency, and paranormal, why not erotic? It is very different from everything else out there.
I’ll admit I have a problem with RWA. I asked to be considered for PAN with the publication of my last mystery novel, HALLOWED GROUND, which does have romantic thread in it. I was immediately turned down and told just because I wrote “a book with an RWA recognized publisher” doesn’t automatically qualify me for PAN. My argument was based on the “first sales” column online where a mystery author, writing for a publisher who makes NO bones about the fact they will not, and do not publish romance, was let into PAN, when her book, didn’t have near the romantic thread mine did. If we’re comparing apples and apples, the answer the prez of RWA gave me was rotten to the core.
That said, now that Samhain is “officially” recognized as an RWA publisher, I could apply for PAN status as Lorelei James. But the stubborn, perverse part of me, wants me, Lori Armstrong, the person who’s been paying the goddamn dues for the last 7 years, recognized first.
I don’t have a local chapter, so, like Sasha, I don’t get a lot out of RWA. But I don’t put a lot into it either.
I haven’t paid my dues yet. I’m debating on whether or not I will.
That sucks Lori! ANd Like you, I’m debating if I’ll renew or not. The only reason I renewed last year was because I went to the conference and the price was cheaper for members. (By the same amount a membership cost…imagine that.) But I’m not going to the conference this year. LOL
I did something I never thought I’d do this year — I let my RWA membership lapse.
It’s only been a few weeks. I’m waiting to see if I regret the decision. So far…not so much.
I’ve no doubt that if/when I get an agent and move into the larger world of NY publishing, I’ll reconsider. But in the meantime, RWA offers me nothing I can’t find elsewhere, and frequently annoys the hell out of me in exchange for my yearly dues. The new Rita guidelines are only one example of this.
Woot! Great letter Sasha.