tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post1817734752909654713..comments2024-03-22T14:36:03.503-04:00Comments on Tonya Kappes : Them VS Them...Romance Writers of AmericaTonya Kappeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-32531981718456982012012-07-25T21:17:27.048-04:002012-07-25T21:17:27.048-04:00I'm so glad you wrote this. I was considering ...I'm so glad you wrote this. I was considering joining the local RWA group here in Arizona, and I figured it would require me to join the national one. I also was unsure if they were okay with self published authors, which I happen to be. I was appalled they didn't even have a facebook page or a twitter account. That seems really backward to me, or maybe their website is so poor I couldn't find that information. Either way, I'll save my money and time and not bother. Thanks again.<br /><br />crystalleeauthor.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09235308293512986688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-90415743994424020792012-07-23T07:14:54.242-04:002012-07-23T07:14:54.242-04:00Hi, Cherie! Thanks for sharing. I was a member of ...Hi, Cherie! Thanks for sharing. I was a member of KYRWA and loved that group of ladies! The local chapters are great and sort of do their own thing. I know at my local chapter we celebrated every single self pubbed word!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-22532498788422942392012-07-23T07:13:57.423-04:002012-07-23T07:13:57.423-04:00Again....they are part of RWA...just a genre group...Again....they are part of RWA...just a genre group. Thanks for sharing, Todd!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-79285958004068784382012-07-23T07:12:52.113-04:002012-07-23T07:12:52.113-04:00I do love that! I love that my best sellers aren&#...I do love that! I love that my best sellers aren't recognized either. BUT their recognition doesn't matter to me. I just think it's a shame that they are the biggest writer's group and can not promote all forms of publication.<br /><br />Pre-conference...not THE conference...so sad....well, it's a start. Maybe this is a first baby step and next year you will be included in the main conference. Good luck!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-57217427323722593992012-07-23T07:10:06.212-04:002012-07-23T07:10:06.212-04:00Thanks, Maria! I know we are in the same RWA local...Thanks, Maria! I know we are in the same RWA local chapter. It's a shame I just can't be a member there so I can be with my writer friends.Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-14929600885138458752012-07-23T07:09:30.045-04:002012-07-23T07:09:30.045-04:00AWESOME, Kayelle! Thanks for sharing!AWESOME, Kayelle! Thanks for sharing!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-25714231943576657242012-07-23T07:09:13.171-04:002012-07-23T07:09:13.171-04:00Hi, JoAnn! I'm so flattered. Thank you for you...Hi, JoAnn! I'm so flattered. Thank you for you nice compliments. OH......yes, they have lost sight of their mission. Thanks for leaving a comment.Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-37756243657645584532012-07-23T07:08:30.738-04:002012-07-23T07:08:30.738-04:00LOVE it, Maria!LOVE it, Maria!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-63633150275511823852012-07-23T07:08:17.410-04:002012-07-23T07:08:17.410-04:00Good luck with your decision, Lauren. Let me know ...Good luck with your decision, Lauren. Let me know what you decide. I think you have to weigh what you want out of joining. Unfortunately at my stage of publication, my dollars are spent better elsewhere.Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-62455212251276799002012-07-23T07:07:05.007-04:002012-07-23T07:07:05.007-04:00So glad to see you here!So glad to see you here!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-42372512554167684792012-07-23T07:06:43.212-04:002012-07-23T07:06:43.212-04:00I believe that new writers should definitely join ...I believe that new writers should definitely join a writers group, even if it is RWA. I think the information they provide is very valuable. You learn the craft. You learn the in's and out's of publication. BUT when you are a little more seasoned and know your publication journey, it would be nice for them to be able to cater to those. But they don't.Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-39094724135198137542012-07-23T07:05:10.833-04:002012-07-23T07:05:10.833-04:00Nope, they sure don't. I'd LOVE to be able...Nope, they sure don't. I'd LOVE to be able to replac my full time job. That is my goal! Good for your friends and we can celebrate their accomplishments here!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-47347021737981246072012-07-23T07:04:20.841-04:002012-07-23T07:04:20.841-04:00Yes! I heard the same thing from previous members....Yes! I heard the same thing from previous members. They are a chapter of RWA....Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-51927729359243649292012-07-23T07:03:58.371-04:002012-07-23T07:03:58.371-04:00Connie, I just joined AIA. I'm hoping they are...Connie, I just joined AIA. I'm hoping they are a good fit.Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-85143872317672274322012-07-23T07:03:28.098-04:002012-07-23T07:03:28.098-04:00Thanks, LONI!! Let me know what tips and tricks yo...Thanks, LONI!! Let me know what tips and tricks you use from the toolbox!Tonya Kappeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252788425268305047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-18477011541033329382012-07-21T15:53:22.803-04:002012-07-21T15:53:22.803-04:00Wave of the future--Indie Romance Ink Yahoo group ...Wave of the future--Indie Romance Ink Yahoo group and local Indie writer groups. Our little KYRW group is still going, but a small portion of us have branched off into an indie writing group that is open to all genre. Let me just say, it is increasing with members like our KYRW group never will because we are helping each other grow in our careers. In my opinion, RWA is holding writers back until Trad pubs find a way to catch up. I'm still a member of RWA...for now. Next year, who knows?Cherie Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-15527871749385714642012-07-20T20:00:25.954-04:002012-07-20T20:00:25.954-04:00Science Fiction Writer's of America are just a...Science Fiction Writer's of America are just as biased. I hope they all pull their collective heads out before they become completely irrelevant. Great post!Todd R Moodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07833210960706853909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-14242552666098782352012-07-17T17:20:12.452-04:002012-07-17T17:20:12.452-04:00I feel your pain. I just spoke at Thrillerfest, an...I feel your pain. I just spoke at Thrillerfest, and it was the first organization (ITW) to start recognizing the contribution of indies. It floored me. I have had two #1 best-selling social media books. My books are not traditionally published--DUH--namely because publishing moves so slowly my books would be outdated before they hit shelves. Time and again, I've essentially been told that I am not a "real" writer. The times are a changing and the indies are gaining more and more traction.<br /><br />Everyone is having to reinvent, and the writing organizations are not immune. I've actually gotten a rather warm reception from RWA this year, and am even the keynote for the pre-conference in Anaheim. So we just hope. They need to retool because traditional publishing is contracting by the day.<br /><br />Great post!<br /><br />Kristen LambAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08332108784136166027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-72105422457206703072012-07-17T16:54:19.193-04:002012-07-17T16:54:19.193-04:00Great food for thought that really puts things in ...Great food for thought that really puts things in perspective! BTW, recently finished The Tricked Out Toolbox--seriously the best book I've ever read on marketing and promotion!<br /><br />Speaking of free info, I just created a "Help For Writers" page on my blog. Links are included to your blog, as well as The Toolbox;)!Maria McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15138614172014005449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-49377142478024365942012-07-17T15:45:27.425-04:002012-07-17T15:45:27.425-04:00There are many places to get good info. Marketing ...There are many places to get good info. Marketing for Romance Writers is a Yahoo group that's dedicated to sharing knowledge among writers. We just held a two-day online conference with 14 presentations, plus handouts, giveaways, and all sorts of discounts. Cost: $0.00<br />Congratulations on seeing the truth.Kayelle Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833531229634787728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-54616620793641266432012-07-17T10:46:50.717-04:002012-07-17T10:46:50.717-04:00Hi Tonya, This is a great blog post. I visit your ...Hi Tonya, This is a great blog post. I visit your site a lot because A) you tweet a lot, and B) your blog posts are good--honest, insightful, no BS. I left RWA a few years ago after I got b*tch-slapped for writing a mainstream romance in first-person (it was the one that one first place in a chapter--not mine--contest). As a marketing whiz, I'm sure you know the old marketing 101 story about why the railroads failed--they lost sight of their mission. I think the same is true with RWA.JoAnn Bassetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043784194314976637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-36316941475485823522012-07-16T20:23:51.763-04:002012-07-16T20:23:51.763-04:00I left RWA a couple of years ago. I wish they coul...I left RWA a couple of years ago. I wish they could've changed with the times--and not been so expensive. They really didn't give much for the 'pleasure' of their company.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-89629277155529491392012-07-16T19:43:28.075-04:002012-07-16T19:43:28.075-04:00Tonya ~ I was just debating over joining RWA, as m...Tonya ~ I was just debating over joining RWA, as many of my author friends are members, but the timing of your post was really amazing. I appreciate your candor and will have to really think about membership.<br /><br />All the best, LaurenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-72567428779911403402012-07-16T12:09:46.860-04:002012-07-16T12:09:46.860-04:00Hi, Tonya. Great blog, BTW.
I left RWA five? six...Hi, Tonya. Great blog, BTW. <br /><br />I left RWA five? six? years ago. Ironic, because the longer I've been away and indie publishing, the more romance I write! LOL<br /><br />I received a similar renewal letter recently from MWA, the mystery writers' organization. I eagerly read through the letter where they talked about how much they wanted me to rejoin. They missed me! Awww. Touched, I scanned the materials for some sign of recognition for those who are indie published and working hard at actually earning income from their books. But not. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Only traditionally published authors were eligible for "real" membership. I tossed it! Nothing there for me.<br /><br />I am only in my second year and building my titles list, so no big money numbers yet. But I'm making a lot more from my writing than I made during the thirty years I pursued the traditional route! LOL<br /><br />Thanks for your honesty and your information.Regina Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508428878365831932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443047332769568071.post-34498268519666646752012-07-16T11:23:37.808-04:002012-07-16T11:23:37.808-04:00Great post (I found this from the #myWANA tag on t...Great post (I found this from the #myWANA tag on twitter). I just joined RWA a few months ago because of attending a local conference, which really impressed me. The new member letter advised me to check out the online forums, and being somewhat of a longtime web forum junkie, I was excited! What I found was a lot of tumbleweed and one or two very heated topic threads about RWA refusing to acknowledge the success of self-pubbed authors. I'm a lurker and an information gatherer, so I read and took lots of mental notes.<br /><br />Prior to joining RWA (and earlier this year SCBWI - the children's book society), I admit I had a negative view of self publishing. Then I met authors who are using self-pub in a professional way; they attend (and even teach!) writing workshops, work with editors and hire professional graphic artists so their covers don't look like Windows 95 Paint projects. I read a self-pubbed YA that was better than some of the big HarperTeen titles. I understand RWA's hesitation to change, but it only took me a few months of knowing published writers to get it, why can't one of the industry leaders recognize this as well? The RWA forum commenters made good points -- establish criteria for a self-pubbed writer to become part of the published network. I really hope they get with it.<br /><br />As for anyone considering joining, I think it heavily depends on your local chapter. I have 2 available and I first attended a conference, which I loved, then visited the closest local group twice before committing. I already feel it was worth it. However, maybe a new writer can glean everything she needs in a year or two of membership, then move on. I can't comment on long-term membership since I'm so new myself. But I've found my local chapter to be wonderfully helpful.<br /><br />I view it kind of like Weight Watchers -- of course you can lose weight on your own with the help of websites and apps and good old determination. But weighing in during the meetings is what motivates people. Regularly connecting with a group of writers serious enough to invest time and money is something I personally needed. It works for me now. I hope RWA embraces the changing industry so I can stick with them.Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.com