Please tell us a little bit about your career as a writer.
I've been a member of RWA for 11 years and was first published traditionally in 2015 writing contemporary romance. Since then, I've also published with a book club publisher in women't fiction. Currently, I am indie publishing, as it fits my life better at the moment, in romantic suspense. All three have been great paths, teaching me so much about the writing industry. I've written/published 8 full-length romances, 3 romance novellas, and 4 women's fiction with hopefully a lot more to come.
Please share your involvement and experience as a member of RWA.
In 2010, I joined RWA and Connecticut RWA after attending a reader convention and talking to several authors. I knew I wanted to write, had started a book, but had no clue where to go from there. I'm so thankful those amazing authors steered me to RWA as I've learned more than I could ever imagine and met the best people. I wouldn't be published without RWA and members, which is why I have gotten involved both on the chapter and national level from the start...to pay it all back. To show my thanks. On the chapter level, I've been involved with our critique group and mentorship programs, first as a member, then as the "chair." I've also served as the chapter conference chair, helped with our chapter "college", and served on the board as VP of Programming and two years as President. Currently, I'm the chapter Member- at-Large. On the national level, I started with my first conference (having been a member for a whopping 2 months) as a workshop moderator, and book signing volunteer. I've continued to do that every year adding a few more roles. I've also served on an ad-hoc committee dealing with the website revamp, and for the past two years have served as your conference (and retreat) workshop chair.
Please share any additional outside experience that you might bring to the RWA Board.
Over the past XX (too many to admit) years, I've worked a variety of jobs from retail to executive secretary to travel agent and debt collector to an online repository for academic research. I've worked for the lowest job on the list to management and the one thing I know for sure is there is no "small" job. Everyone contributes. Everyone matters. I also spent over 25 years as a Navy wife managing the home, finances, moves (domestically and internationally) and family. This role taught me how to be flexible and to roll with the punches, as well as pivot on a dime when needed. All great skills that I feel will benefit the RWA board.
What is your vision for the romance industry?
Ideally, I’d love to see Romance get an equal seat at the table with other genres in the terms of respect. Romance writers work hard to create their stories, constantly improving their craft, as well as mastering other aspects of the publishing industry and we deserve to be treated as professionals.
What is your vision for RWA?
For writers and industry professionals to see us as an inclusive, professional organization that fights for and stands up for its members, while offering educational and networking opportunities. To bring our authors together as one community so that we can be a powerhouse standing behind the romance writer.
How do you see yourself helping to implement these ideas and changes?
In order to get respect from others, we must first give respect to each other. We do that by supporting each other, by standing up for each other and by being kind. I will lead by example. On social media, I will continue to support my fellow romance authors. I will look to see how we can educate non-romance readers and authors as to what romance books are really about — yes, love, but also building relationships, overcoming obstacles, and learning and growing from past mistakes (possibly through outreach to university creative writing programs, and various media outlets, as well as seeing how we can work with other writing organizations). Some programs might already be in motion that I’m not aware of. If they are, I will fully support them. For RWA, I will continue to support our efforts to educate our members on the importance of inclusivity. I welcome all writers who want to pursue this crazy career regardless of sex, race, religion, or other. I welcome writers of all levels from the brand new to the experiences, as we all have something to contribute and are all of value. I’d love to see what kind of programs we currently have going to expand our membership (both through the National level and local levels) and then brainstorm with others how we can improve on those programs. If you have ideas, I’d love to hear them because the board alone can not think of everything.
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