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.
:mrgreen:Gee, I don’t even know what most of those are!:lol: I know about the RWA and SFFWA. I only recently learned about the Romantic Times, but I thought it was a magazine that threw a big conference for writers every year.
Better to be learning than to think I already know everything!
by Kimber An June 22nd, 2007 at 8:10 amYou’re not strange. I don’t understand what the big rush to get into PAN is about, anyway. All the really good info is in PRO. It’s just where they chuck you in RWA if you’ve published a book that meets the minimums. Only organization on earth that LIMITS your ability to be involved the more successful you are! But I digress.
Honestly, I think it’s just about soothing egos. If you’re in PAN, it means you’re “good enough.” It’s the same attitude that makes folks say “pre-published” instead of “unpublished” because “unpublished” is “negative.”
After a while, event hat will be considered negative, since it’s the actual state, not the word, that’s truly grating, and we’ll have to switch it up to something like “published-neutral.” 
Being in PAN doesn’t mean anything — not even to PAN members. I’ve seen too many writers entering PAN as a result of their RWA-recognized but micropress credits and then wonder why the NY publishing houses aren’t recognizing their pub credits — after all, it’s PAN eligible!
by Diana June 22nd, 2007 at 9:08 amNice and thoughtful post, Jordan. It’s true that it means something to reach a benchmark. It was a happy day when I qualified to apply for NINC. I’d wanted to join for years but hadn’t qualified. Weird but true: I’ve qualified for PAN for some time but never applied. This probably has something to do with living in the boonies where I never see any fellow members of my RWA chapters and I don’t attend events where there’d be PAN workshops. But my lack of PAN application didn’t stop me from selling books, getting an agent, furthering my career.
by Charlene Teglia June 22nd, 2007 at 9:29 amWe’ve been in the middle of a conversation about PAN in my RWA chapter. Right now, people are too hung up on who gets into PAN, and who doesn’t. The problem is, once you are in PAN, what does it do for you? The sad reality is that most authors I’ve talked to said, “I don’t know.” If RWA wants to take a look at PAN, they need to identify the group of authors they want to help, i.e. recently published-multi published authors, then they need to identify the needs of those members, then they need to begin to develop programs to meet the needs of those members. Develop a program before you start quibbling about who is in and who is out. If there is no point to PAN other than a label of your writing status, then people will be hurt that they don’t have that label. If it is an active and dynamic program that gives people the things they need at that point in their career, then the people who are not to that stage of their careers would look at it and say, “I’m not ready for all that yet. I should work with these other programs that give me the resources I need at my current stage in my career.”
PAN should be about resources, and sadly it is not. That is the problem. Anyone is ready for a label.
by Chessie Welker June 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 am“They do not make my career. No organization does.”
This really rang true with me. I didn’t join RWA until AFTER I sold to H/S. And I’m a member of PAN and I can say without hesitation that my local chapter is much more beneficial to me.
The truth is I took some flak for not joining rwa earlier, but I managed to make it regardless. That’s not to say it’s not a great organization…it is. But it’s not a prerequisite for getting published.
I personally found the number one resource that was most helpful during my journey was e-harlequin’s boards.
by Donna Alward June 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 amI just joined RWA in January, and so far my thought has been, “Wow, that’s the most expensive magazine subscription ever.” Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems like all the benefits come from joining a local chapter or PRO or one of the specialty chapters, and the RWA membership itself is merely a prerequisite for those.
I did have an agent tell me she could tell I was an RWA member because my query letter was so polished. Erm, actually, I looked at about a thousand successful query letters and did my best to emulate them, and nary a one came to me through RWA.
I feel like I have to do Golden Heart just to get my money’s worth.
by Kerry Allen June 22nd, 2007 at 10:27 amAs someone who doesn’t subscribe to any of the RWA lists or loops or whatever, I’m not sure what the current bruhaha is all about. Although I can guess. However, as someone who also did not join RWA until after I sold, who is a PAN member but who’s never quite figured out what that’s supposed to mean in my life, who’s only been to two Nationals in ten years and who has never belonged to a local chapter, I think it’s fairly safe to say that NONE of that means squat (really) to one’s career.
That’s not to say that writers, at whatever stage of their careers, can’t glean a lot from belonging and participating as much as they wish. The more social among us — or those with no in-home support system — probably get a great deal out of hanging out, either online or in person, with other writers. And certainly, as an information dispenser, RWA is unparalleled. But the only benchmark that mattered to me was getting that first contract — and all the contracts that have followed. Being *able* to join the other published organizations is nice, I suppose, but since I can do without the personal/negative/political (meaning within the org, not blue vs. red :wink:) clutter, I stay fairly uninvolved. I’ve even let go of one membership — and haven’t missed it a bit.
Amazingly enough, I think it’s safe to say my hermit tendencies have not hurt my career. If I’m not as far as I perhaps hoped to be after ten years, that’s due to factors that have absolutely nothing to do with my belonging to/participating in writing organizations. And it certainly has nothing to do with refusing to get sucked into the energy drains that are discussion loops. Like I need *more* stressors in my life?
So I have to wonder…what the heck is all the fuss about? Do people on the “outside” of this or that arm of an organization feel as though they’re being denied access to some font of information without which their progress is doomed? Do they really think being able to add another couple of words to their query letter is going to make any difference as to whether they sell/land an agent or not?
Are people letting the trees blind then to the forest?
Just wondering…
by Karen Templeton June 22nd, 2007 at 10:52 amMy national subscription is worth it just for my RWA Online membership. It is an online chapter, and has been priceless. I hate for this to sound like an ad, but if you are a person that can’t get to a local chapter for whatever reason, it is a great group with a ton of information, networking connections, and fun people. You can find out more about it at http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org
by Chessie Welker June 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 amNow that I don’t live near a local chapter, I find my participation in RWA very, very limited. When I first started writing romance, I found RWA amazingly helpful, mostly at the local level. Aside from craft, I went to a lot of small conferences where I met a lot of editors and agents - invaluable.
My membership in PAN has gotten me a tiny bit of exposure due to the RITA. I haven’t seen any increase in sales or recognition by being a finalist, but I’m hoping it will be a little helpful in my shift from category to single title - at least in getting my stuff read. Although having written 40+ books will help more.
I’ve tried to think of something PAN could offer me that I can’t find elsewhere, and nothing occurs. I don’t go to National very often, and therefore I don’t have access to the PAN workshops, which I think is pretty insane given that I’m a dues paying member, and that’s one of the main benefits. It makes no sense to me.
I’ll still keep my membership for the time being. If there was a concerted effort to make the RITA mean more than it does now (which is only a nice ego stroke as far as I can tell) I’d be more enthused. However, I’m not holding my breath.
As for the panic to get into PAN, I think there’s always going to be the secret hope that there’s a magic answer out there, and it’s just beyond our reach. I wish.
by Jo Leigh June 22nd, 2007 at 10:57 amYou don’t need to be a PAN member to enter the RITA, though. You don’t even need to be an RWA member. You just need to have a PAN eligible book.
by Diana June 22nd, 2007 at 11:55 amI 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.
Me too!
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.
Me too!
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 think it’s due more to the way RWA is organized. RWA’s membership is predominately unpublished (SFFWA HWA, NI, etc. are all for published authors only), and anything that is seen as benefiting only the published members causes howls and fits of spontaneous kittens (and charges of elitism). The fact is, RWA can either be a club or a professional organization, but it can’t successfully be both. The impossibility of such a balancing act is the cause of all strife.
IMO, RWA should stop trying to be an all-inclusive club and put a tiered membership in place where only published authors are full members (with a non-voting, associate membership available for aspiring authors). But that will never happen (so I’ll join Novelist Inc. just as soon as I qualify and let that be my professional organization while RWA remains my club).
by Kalen Hughes June 22nd, 2007 at 12:01 pmKimber An, The Romantic Times used to come in almost ‘flyer’ form years ago. So you’d get some loose pages and some stapled pages that gave romance information (ie book reviews, how to’s, etc.). That’s how I found out about K. Falk’s romancing writing book. It was a nice introduction to the world of romance writing for a newbie.
Like I said, it was YEARS ago.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 12:34 pmDiana, ***Only organization on earth that LIMITS your ability to be involved the more successful you are! But I digress.*** LOL!
Got to love political correctness.
You do bring up some really good points about publishers and PAN recognition. Before the big wave of erotic romances hit N.Y.’s consciousness, my publishing credits meant absolutely ‘jack’ to the N.Y. publishers. Yes, I’d been accepted into PAN (They didn’t have PRO at the time.), but the publishers didn’t care that I’d written six books. I was told that I had NO track record because all my books were for a small press pub. That’s changed a bit because so many epub authors have successfully made the leap to New York. I believe that the door is slowly closing again, now that erotic romance has peaked and so many epubs are striking deals with N.Y. publishers.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 pmThanks Charli!!! For the longest time, I didn’t know about Novelist Inc. When I did find out about the organization, I realized that I didn’t qualify for membership. It became a goal, a benchmark to achieve. I’m SOOOOOO glad that I joined. It’s been incredibly helpful.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 pmChessie, I’m sure this response is going to get me smacked down, but I think RWA (not the local chapters) is really a beginners/intermediate organization. That’s what it’s been set up to be. That’s how it’s run. And that’s okay. I got so much from it, when I was first starting out. I would’ve never published as early as I did without the info I gleaned from RWA.
Most of the published authors that I know only go to Nationals to see their editors, agents or friends. They don’t hit a lot of workshops, unless it’s something completely new or they’re teaching them. They hang out. It turns into a really expensive way to visit.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 pmDonna, I’ve heard that a lot from newly published Harlequin authors. The boards seem to be a lot of help to them. I’ve also heard a lot of authors say that if it wasn’t for their local chapters that they’d have quit RWA LONG ago. That I think is very telling.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 1:04 pmAs usual, you have that ability to sooth rather than piss off - lol - so I was glad to read your post. I’ve been a member of PAN, haven’t had my career advanced one iota because of it. Tis just the implication of kiddies in a sandbox that ticks me off. One faction raising the bar on membership when the membership rules were set in place years ago. Exclusion immanent for some. - grrr.
Thanks for being you.
by Sunny Lyn June 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 pmKerry, I’ve heard lots of great things about PRO. I wish it would’ve been around, when I actually needed it. *g* Seems like they do a really good job with helping the authors.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmI remember an editor ranting about the “pre-published” label a while back. In the professional marketplace it means nothing, but suddenly people were introducing themselves at cons as “pre-published.” She thought at first that it meant they had a book under ocntract due to come out in the near future. When she found out it meant “had a manuscript” she wanted to start screaming at every unublished writer that calling yourself “prepublished” simply announces to your professional audience that you don’t have a clue.
I’m a memer of SFWA and IAMTW (International Assoc. of Media Ti-In Writers). I joined both groups as soon as I qualified to be able to have access to and hopefully network with other professionals in the business. I learned quickly — but not quickly enough — to stay out of the internal politics of such organizations. However, I have gotten to know some very good and talented peole through these memberships.
From what I hear, RWA is as good as some and better than others in this regard. I’ve also heard that it is the most supportive of unpublished writers. I’ll find out when I join (on my “to do” list for 2008).
Qualifying to join a professional organization of any type is a milestone. It should never be a goal.
by KeVin Killiany June 22nd, 2007 at 1:10 pmBut see, Jordan, that is my point.
RWA is doing a great job for it’s unpublished members, and I think it is fantastic that they let unpublished members join as full members. If RWA has a weak link, it is in the benefits it offers its published members. They are shooting themselves in the foot in that regard.
They need to ask themselves, “What can we as an organization do for our published members?” and hop to it. They do do advocacy for writers, and that shouldn’t be ignored. Even though we don’t hear about a lot of it, RWA does hop into the fray for its published members. But they can do more than just offer workshops. Once RWA figures out what its published members would like and/or need, and start to meet those needs, then inclusion to PAN will be as simple as, “Would this person benefit from these resources at this point in their career?” If the answer is yes, then for heaven sakes let them in!
RWA is doing great for its unpubs, time to focus on the published members now, and give them what they need.
(I’d make suggestions about what published members could use, but I’m not published, so I don’t know, but you pubbed members of RWA, start thinking about it, and maybe write a letter or two about things you think the organization can do for you.)
Chessie
by Chessie Welker June 22nd, 2007 at 1:29 pmKaren, I think some people believe that they’re missing out on information. I think others believe that they’re missing out on the secret handshake. My point in the blog is to say that the information can be found everywhere on the internet now. You don’t need to have an organization ‘give’ it to you. Also, there is NO secret handshake. *ggg*
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmJo, I think RWA is extremely helpful, when you’re just starting out. As for later, not as much.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 2:07 pmKalen, ***I think it’s due more to the way RWA is organized. RWA’s membership is predominately unpublished (SFFWA HWA, NI, etc. are all for published authors only), and anything that is seen as benefiting only the published members causes howls and fits of spontaneous kittens (and charges of elitism). The fact is, RWA can either be a club or a professional organization, but it can’t successfully be both. The impossibility of such a balancing act is the cause of all strife.***
I think you’re absolutely right. It’s impossible to be all things to everyone. At this point, I think it’s too late to create a tiered membership, since the majority of the members are pre-published.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pmYou’re welcome, Sunny.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 2:21 pmKeVin, RWA definitely has some good networking opportunities. I’d say that the smaller chapters have even better ones due to the difference in numbers. I’m sure the editor did freak out. *ggg*
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 2:23 pmCount me among those who have posted here who published before joining RWA.
RWA didn’t help me get published but for me - the membership is important to keep me connected. I don’t do the local chapter scene. I believe writing is an individual sport - not a group effort. But going to National once a year reminds me that I’m part of a community of writers - specifically romance writers.
I really like that.
The PAN thing doesn’t really change any of that. I attend some workshops but sometimes there are better offerings in the normal track.
I will say when I went to one conference - I was at an H/S cocktail event - and people stared at me like I had two heads. Finally someone asked… “Where is your pink ribbon?!” I thought I had committed a major faux pas… so next year I joined and got the ribbon.
Not much changed. And now there’s no pretty ribbon.
by Stephanie Doyle June 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pmI saw all this bruhaha on the org list and I really couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. I’m currently unpublished I don’t have a problem with PAN having restriction but really that $2k is a pitiful amount. I’m sorry I don’t mean to offend anyone. I think they should change PAN so its for published authors who are earning a living because if all you’re earning is $2k then writing is just a hobby that pays. If you are truly looking at this as career then you need to be earning more. I’d set the bar at around the $10k mark on total earnings not just the one book. I’d also allow PAN members to get access to PRO as well.
by rae June 22nd, 2007 at 2:29 pmJordan, I truly appreciate this post! So true! Equal opportunity is one thing - but all always being equal? Hmmm…wondering if these people have ever read “Harrison Bergeron” - a short story by Kurt Vonnegut that starts with the line, “The year was 2081, and everyone was finally equal.” If not, they should. Anyway, thanks for giving a shout out to reason. I’m thinking all the fussers and squabblers need to get another hobby than cyber mud-slinging. I hear knitting is a good choice.
by Eve Jameson June 22nd, 2007 at 2:37 pmChessie, I agree completely. I’ve already written my letter concerning the changes proposed.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pmStephanie, LOL on the ribbon. *g* Most people get a lot out of their local chapters, if they live close enough to attend the meetings.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:02 pm“I think they should change PAN so its for published authors who are earning a living …”
Yes, but that wouldn’t leave anyone else in the group for Nora to talk to.
Kidding - obiously there is more than 1 earning a living via writing. There’s at least 10.
by Stephanie Doyle June 22nd, 2007 at 3:04 pmRae, I’m sure that would cause a riot. *ggg* I do hear you on the 2K though. I said it on my blog and I’ll say it again, I think the concern should be on the fact that so many authors would lose their PAN membership beause they don’t make that minimum amount. Why? And how can we help them reach that small level.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:05 pmEve, LOL! I’d better stay away from the needles.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:06 pmStephanie, You do have a good point. Not many authors make a living from writing. It would be a pretty empty room. LOL!
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:07 pmJordan, I know there’s no way to change RWA to a tiered membership, so I’ve just accepted that RWA is my writers club. Membership is worth it to me for the networking I get with other writers (both on-line and in my home chapter) and for access to the Beau Monde and PASIC chapters. Personally, I get a lot from those last two, and I got diddly-squat from PRO (the rancor on the PRO loops drove me away pretty quickly). The PAN loops are ok, but nowhere near as useful as the PASIC loop (PASIC is what PAN should be, IMO).
by Kalen Hughes June 22nd, 2007 at 3:29 pmKaren, I’ve heard that about PASIC from a few people. I think I’m going to join and see for myself. I also heard about PRO squabbling, but I never really heard what it was about. Like I said, it didn’t exist, when I needed it most.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:38 pmForgive me, Kalen. Didn’t mean to slip up on your name.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 3:38 pmLots of people call me “Karen”. LOL! No biggie. I love love love PASIC. The loop is very chatty, and people are really generous with advice and information (when someone like JoAnn Ross talks, I listen!). And I hear the conference they have in NY every other year is fab. I couldn’t go this year, but I’m soooooo going in 2009!
by Kalen Hughes June 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pmKalen, I still hate it when I do that. *g* I’ll definitely check PASIC out.
by Jordan June 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 pmI joined RWA earlier this year, and am a PRO member. I really thought I was going to get something other than a tie pin out of it. I mainly lurk, but I haven’t seen anything yet from the PRO members themselves or the PRO information that isn’t readily available for free on the Internet. Shoot, every pub’d and “pre-pub’d” author in the world has a blog about writing and publishing. If a PRO or PAN member can’t find the answer to an industry question by googling, then a fellow member is not likely to have the answer either.
I’m in a rural area, so haven’t joined a chapter, but I haven’t been inclined to do so, either. I’m actually about 1.5 hours out of Dallas, and could easily attend National, but honestly everything is SO conference-centered or contest-centered in RWA, it just raises the scam-o-meter hackles on my neck. Good intentions may be there, but the promise seems far better than the reality. If RWA were run more like SFWA (to which I once belonged), and focused money on legal matters, group health plans, and other things only a PAC can accomplish, I would be happy to pay minimal dues and read my RWR is silence. I already turn a deaf ear to the internal politics of both organizations.
by phoenix June 22nd, 2007 at 10:29 pmPhoenix, I do believe that you get out what you put into most organizations. That obviously changes with skill level and experience. Sorry to hear that PRO hasn’t worked out for you. The contests are money raising events for the chapters, so that they can continue to operate. Most people don’t mind contributing to the local chapters in that way. Contests in general are subjective. I think if you going in knowing that it’s a crap-shoot, it’s easier to enjoy the whole process.
by Jordan June 23rd, 2007 at 2:36 amI’m another one that finds no purpose to PAN. I’ve even dropped all the PAN loops in favor of more professional loops. The pan loops seem to worry more about too much mail landing in a mail box.
I think back in the day–and yes, I do remember the day:roll:– before there was the internet, PAN was a viable source of information and networking, but RWA was very hesitant and slow about recognizing the importance of the internet and lost ground. People/authors started forming their own groups and setting up their own information exchanges and sub chapters.
When PAN and RWA did come to the game, their loops were so stifled with rules about what post could go where and people stressing that they’d have too much mail in their mail boxes (something I’ve never understood as there is an option to just read what you want off the net and not receive any mail at all) those loops never got off the ground. Pretty much, PAN lost it’s purpose in the eyes of authors. I don’t think it’s regained it, and I don’t think it’s going to under it’s current theme of “we know what’s best for you”. In every other area authors are on their own, independently creating, negotiating, etc. It’s not realistic to expect them to suddenly accept judgement on their decisions from an organization they pay to join but which has nothing to offer them besides three letters beside their name.
PAN is supposed to be a professional organziation for professional authors. For that to have meaning, the org will have to discuss and deal with professional issues. This would mean taking a proactive stance (as opposed to the current reactive stance) on issues like technology, contract clauses, health insurance, trends, the closing of brick and mortars, the rise of POD, the decline of advances, etc. It would mean less emphasis on policing loop etiquette and more emphais on the actual business side of writing.
The problem with that? Most members with a need or interest in truly belonging to a professional organization already have joined existing professional orgs outside of PAN and whatever time they have free has already been committed there. After all this time, and with any experience with RWA and PAN history, it’s doubtful they would feel the need to do anything with an org already known for it’s devisiveness and inability to get anything done due to that polarity.
The bottom line is however, no matter how many times PAN raises the bar for admittance to the club, it will not increase the perception of the “importance” of the membership in anyone outside the clubs eyes until the club has done something to earn respect. That being the case, there really is no reason, IMO, for PAN to be upsetting membership with exclusionary practices and ill conceived changes that retroactively expell decade long members. It makes no sense, serves no purpose, and has zero likelihood of achieving any goal. Well, beyond creating chaos and increasing/reinforcing polarity.
by Sarah McCarty June 23rd, 2007 at 7:55 amWhat Sarah said. Especially in regards to the loops where discussion is stifled before it can get off the ground. I do belong to PASIC and value the networking and free flow of information there, but right now, PASIC is the only reason I even keep my RWA membership. That loop and the Novelists, Inc. loop are what I would expect from PAN, and what I’ve never seen happen.
by Alison Kent June 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 amSarah I agree with your last and wanted to respond to Rae.
I actually think there should be no monetary limit on PAN for a couple of reasons. Unless your first contract gives you an advance over 10k(your stated limit), an author will wait a LONG time to be PAN eligible. As long as 2 years….and that’s just on a H/S contract. I sold last summer, my book was just out, and I won’t see any royalties until May as far as I know.
Also, for those starting out with royalty based publishers who do or do not pay a “token” advance…they too are excluded. And IMO the most crucial time for an author to gain information is when they are starting out, not 2 years and several contracts later.
I like the industry info I get from RWA and I do enjoy my local chapter. As far as the loops? I don’t find them particularly helpful.
by Donna Alward June 23rd, 2007 at 9:52 amSarah, I think you have some very valid points. It might very well be too late for PAN to catch up given the other options available for published authors these days.
Kalen’s observation about RWA’s focus compared to other writing groups is also spot on. I never realized that all other writer’s groups are focused on the published author. RWA is unique in that respect…thank goodness. But, and this is a big BUT, I wonder if that should become its sole focus. Instead of trying to be all things to all writers, which thus far hasn’t succeeded.:roll:
by Jordan June 23rd, 2007 at 2:03 pmAlison, Yeah, the loop situation is a tad wacky. I stopped receiving most of them in my inbox, when they shook things up the last time.
by Jordan June 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 pmDonna, I think someone mentioned 10K in total earnings as another possible option.
by Jordan June 23rd, 2007 at 2:07 pmYes, they did…it’s just that to make 10 k you’re already into royalties, you know? And as we all know it takes a while to actually GET those royalties.
I’m just not sure making it more exclusive is the answer.
But the truth is people will find information and support in all sorts of places and what works for them.
by Donna Alward June 23rd, 2007 at 9:34 pmDonna, I know. I’d have to combine two of my ebooks to reach that amount.
I don’t know what the answer is either, but fighting about it on lists doesn’t work. *g*
by Jordan June 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 pmI hear you Jordan. Fighting on list is nothing more than poor form. It doesn’t lead to constructive dialogue. And, groups have the right to set parameters, and you can use those as career benchmarks.
I think it’s important for writers to validate their own goals internally first, before seeking external validation, but I also know sometimes getting that external validation at one level helps keep you going and moves you onto that next level.
by Ursula June 25th, 2007 at 11:18 pmUrsula, Good point about validating internally first. I think a lot of people forget that.
External validation ’should’ give you more confidence in your abilities.
by Jordan June 26th, 2007 at 1:19 pm[...] 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. [...]
by Where were You? « Reading While Black July 2nd, 2007 at 1:13 pmYou 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 an