I know this won’t mean much to you not involved in the romance novel genre, but I have to vent! The company I work for, AuthorSolutions, recently struck a deal with Harlequin for a new imprint, “Harlequin Horizons,” which will allow romance authors to get editing, self-publish, and have a new venue for their books. How exciting!
But, of course, Romance Writers of America, promptly kicked out Harlequin. How unfair to kick out a whole publishing house because of one imprint. I’ve found RWA to be very frustrating and short-sighted–one reason I let my membership lapse. For example, they’ve tried, for years, to squelch erotic romance, but they haven’t been successful. It remains a lucrative and well-loved genre for many publishers, authors, and readers.
Why does RWA try to marginalize certain members? One of their big agendas is to make the general public “respect” romance novels. It’s complete hooey and a waste of time. Readers either like the genre, or they don’t. No amount of posturing about it being great literature will change anybody’s mind.
Here’s hoping the members of RWA raise a stink about this. It’s time for RWA to get with the times, and be inclusive and forward-looking.
I gave notice at Verizon Wireless. I have marked eight squares on my calendar, which I’m checking off one by one. Yep, eight more days of the “call mines,” and then I’m free! I don’t know what my next job will be, and the economy looks dire. Melodie Beattie calls this “stepping out into the great unknown.” But I don’t care. At least, I won’t be at VZW, and that is cause for celebration.