My first TT since 2008! Please excuse the graphic – I haven’t made a new one yet.
- It’s official. I feel like a “real professional” knowing I have a monthly meeting to attend. (Or a recovering addict – I guess that works too.)
- Networking. No where else can you rub shoulders with sucessful career authors like Cherry Adair, Stella Cameron, and Lauren Dane.
- Making friends. People just like me, who have to make an effort to get out of their pajamas on a Saturday to make a meeting, but show up full of energy and passion for writing anyway.
- Workshops. Maybe my chapter is just blessed, but we’ve had some amazing speakers – all FREE.
- Romance Writer’s Report. I love getting this. Not only does it help me expand my TBR list every month, but it includes great articles on craft, inspriation, and the business-side of writing.
- Advice on demand. It amazed me the first time I saw published authors chiming in to answer newbie questions. This is the Holy Grail of the RWA, IMO.
- Rights of passage. Maybe it sounds silly, but when I received my feather boa at ECWC for going PRO, I really felt like I’d accomplished something and I’m looking forward to the day I can snag the brass ring of PAN status.
- Support. When you’re down and out and feel like giving up, there is always someone there to kick you in the butt, or lend a helping hand.
- Insider info. What does all this stuff with Amazon and Macmillan mean – thanks to the authors in my chapter, I think I have a better handle on it.
- Advocacy. The RWA goes to bat for its members. It only took 2 days for Harlequin Enterprises to change their self-publishing approach.
- Accountability, Encouragment, and Celebration. Fellow members are there to help you celebrate your successes and hold you accountable for acheiving your goals. The GSRWA has a “Goal Bowl” lottery that we do every month.
- Contests. You can enter these without membership, but the contest loop keeps you up to date on opportunities, and you usually get a discount for being a member. Contests are a great way to get exposure and valuable feedback.
- Conferences. Meet and pitch to editors and agents, hear inspiring speeches from best-selling authors, attend workshops, and HAVE FUN!
Speaking of conferences, if you’re in the NW, consider attending the Emerald City Writers’ Conference – it’s going to ROCK, and the best part …
You will already know someone there! 
Writers, if you’re not a member of the RWA, I strongly suggest you consider it. And if you don’t write romance, find a similar organization in your genre and join – they are worth every penny of the annual dues. You will not be sorry.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!
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You certainly make a strong case for the RWA. Perhaps you missed your calling and should be a persuasive writer.
My T13: Regrets
Hmm… you mean like writing scripts for info-mercials?
Wow, has it been that long?
It has! Aug. 6, 2008. Time flies when you’re… doing whatever I did last year. *scratches head*
Glad to hear you’re so happy with them – and now you’ll have handy resources for those times when it’s hard to stay motivated.
Yep, definitely!
Great list and I LOVE your blog design!
Thanks, Janet!
Aww, you’re making me wish I was going to the Emerald City conference! But I’m going to the Desert Dreams one in Phoenix in April…we have lots and lots of family in Phoenix anyway.
Like Janet said, your blog looks great!
Thank you, Bryn. I hope you enjoy the conference. I’d love to be in AZ in April!
I have no chapters near me, but there may be one to where I am moving. I will have to check it out.
Do. There is an online chapter, too, which could follow you everywhere you go. (And no, the RWA is not paying me to pimp them… )
Mmm. I’m going to bite my tongue on this and say only that I’m glad you are happy with them!
Thanks, Elise. Sorry if you’ve had a bad experience. I’m talking mostly about the people and not so much the board or whatever.
This was a good, sincere list. I’m a member too, and although there was a bit of a sore spot there for me for a while, they are in the middle of making some very positive changes, IMO.
By the way – your site is beautiful. Very nice!!
Thanks Tatiana. Sorry to hear you have a sore spot. My experiences with them have all been really great. Maybe I’m just lucky to have a stellar chapter?
Hope you have better luck in the future – I really do believe it’s worthwhile.
I’ve been debating this (there’s actually two chapters in my neck of the woods) and plan to be checking them out next month!
Definitely worth taking a look – the first couple of meetings are usually free. Good luck, Sasha!
It’s nice to see a positive post about RWA. I can’t say I’ve seen many. I’ve debated over and over again whether to take the plunge since I live in Canada. Maybe one day.
Happy T13!
Really? I had no idea. I’ve never heard anything bad. But then again, I’ve not been keeping up with the blog gossip. Like I said before, maybe I’m just lucky. Either way, I’ll take it!
There seem to be several Canadian organizations too. If there’s one nearby, go check it out!
The RWA really is awesome, isn’t it?
Also, I see you have threaded commenting on your blog! I am totally jealous. Do you use one of the blogging services like wordpress or is it your own software, or…?
Rose! Thanks so much for taking time out of your exciting release week to stop by! Yes, I love it – espeically our chapter.
I use Wordpress but host off of my own site. I’m pretty sure the nested comments is inherent in Wordpress but it might be an added feature of the template I’m using – not sure – I just make it look pretty!
Does it email you when someone replies to your comment, like livejournal?
Why, yes it does! At least, it emails the blog owner. I haven’t checked to see if other people can select to be notified. Good question . . . let me know if you get an email to this reply.
Great plug for RWA. If only it didn’t cost so much!
It’s a business expense! (At least, that’s what I keep telling my husband.)
An excellent and informative post on the RWA, hon! I don’t have a chapter near me (closest one is 120 miles away), but I’ve thought about joining the online chapter.
Thanks, hon. I still think you should give it a try. I have another friend in the online chapter I can connect you with. Also – Nationals are in your neck of the woods this year!