I’ve been following discussions on multiple lists and I can’t believe all the fighting that’s taking place. I know, pretty naïve, eh? Between writers coming out for controversial causes to RWA, it’s been a free for all on the lists. I was going to talk about PAN (Published Author Network) vs PRO, but I decided instead to tell you about when I first joined the Romance Writer’s of America.
The first time I joined was in 1992…I think. I don’t feel like digging the membership card out to find out for sure. 
I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I had no idea how to get started. I received mailings from RWA and the Romantic Times. (I didn’t have a computer at the time.) I devoured all the information that they gave me. Eventually, I let my membership lapse. I wasn’t ‘ready’ to be a writer yet. I came back to the organization in the late nineties/early two-thousand. I’d taken some writing classes at college and had a better idea of what I needed to do. That was the first time I heard about PAN. Mighty PAN. It was this illustrious place where Greek gods frolicked with multi-published authors. I couldn’t wait until I’d earned the right to be there and drink nectar. *g*
I suppose looking back, PAN was my first benchmark of achievement. Joining it, meant that I’d sold something, that I’d finally ‘made’ it as a writer. (Stop rolling your eyes.)
I guess that I’m strange in that respect. I don’t look at organizations like Published Author’s Network, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s of America, the Horror Writer’s Association, Novelist Inc. or Author’s Guild as elitist organizations because they put restrictions on their membership. I look at them as benchmarks of achievement. That’s why I get so confused, when people fight over who should and should not belong. Now don’t get me wrong, I think everyone should have access to information. And they do- -on the internet. I guess I just think that some things should be earned. It makes them all the more sweeter, when you do reach that pinnacle.
Before you shred to pieces, you need to know that I don’t get a whole lot out of my PAN membership. Part of that is my fault for not applying myself more, and part of it is due to the way that PAN is organized. I can accept that. I choose to remain a member. If they decided to kick me out tomorrow because I didn’t meet their criteria, I’d be okay with that too. They do not make my career. No organization does. I think it’s easier to focus on trivial matters, than it is to apply a critical eye to your career and figure out how to get to that next step on your own.
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Ursula, Good point about validating internally first. I think a lot of people forget that.
External validation ’should’ give you more confidence in your abilities.
[...] What I think is the most shameful about this subject is that the “PTB” (authors and the RWA and sometimes readers) will work themselves into a lather over idiotic stuff like defining romance, or griping and gossiping about how the RWA and its inner entities no longer work for you, or debating the usefulness of the HEA (while simultaneously never bringing up the fact that a lot of authors new and veteran are writing on auto-pilot), anonymous commenters, et al, but the second the treatment of the genre’s black authors are exposed, lips(or fingers, for that matter) zip quicker than George Michael’s pants. [...]
You bring up two very interesting points.
Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about writers writing on auto-pilot other than watch my own writing. It’s up to each writer to take responsibility for their work.
As for disparity in the industry, I believe most ‘romance’ readers and writers know it exists. Could RWA be doing more to help with awareness? I’m sure they could. Are they the ones controlling the situation? No, they’re not. The publishers determine how books are marketed, what covers they receive, and where they’re shelved. Of course, they can’t completely control the bookstores. They will do what they want to do. In my local B & N store, ALL romances are shelved in the same place. I know that’s not the case in all stores.
There are no easy answers to this problem. There never have been. And I doubt there ever will be.:sad: