Romance Writers of America is the Voice of Romance
https://www.rwa.org/
Clair Brett, President
Term expiration: 08/31/2024Independent author of 7 historical romance novels, Clair has been an RWA member since 2004 when she found her local chapter in a Google search and began driving 2 hours one way to attend meetings. Clair now writes full time when she isn’t giving back to the industry. If not for RWA in her life she may never have taken the leap to see her work in print. Clair believes the romance community is strong and thriving base, because of the genuine desire from other writers to give back and help the new generations of authors.
Jacki Renée, Secretary
Term expiration: 08/31/2025I am Jacki Renée, a storyteller. Many writers search for the right words to hook the reader. I write from the heart to connect with people.
Music is my muse, sparking my inspiration to write. Reading is my passion, and I am known to curl up with a good book for hours. Writing is my pleasure, and I write romance celebrating Black and Interracial Love with a host of diverse characters.
I have two adult daughters and two grand-dogs, and enjoy cooking, sewing, and DIY projects. I am committed to volunteering, writing, and mentoring new writers.
Brooke Wills, Treasurer
Term expiration: 08/31/2024Brooke Wills was a controller, CFO and consultant, including working in Dublin, Ireland, for over three decades. Then she decided it was time to pursue her dreams of writing. After living most of her life in San Diego County, this SoCal girl left the corporate world, sold her house, packed up all her worldly goods and moved to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to live on an island in the middle of a forest.
A member of RWA since 1998, she has been treasurer for three online chapters as well as for other organizations. She enjoys writing contemporary romance and mysteries.
Directors-at-Large
Marian H. Griffin, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2024I have been writing in one medium or another most of my life. I got to focus that energy when I joined RWA in 1999. Since then, I have had eleven novellas published in multiple genres and am working on a couple of series for self-publishing.
I’ve worked in bars, restaurants, country clubs, a TV production studio, and a local TV station. I’ve enjoyed them all but was always ready to move on until I became Marian the Librarian for 32 years. I look forward to writing for many years to come.
Mary Karlik, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2025Mary Karlik is a hybrid author with 7 published novels. She has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University, is a Registered Nurse, and is finishing a degree in Scottish Gaelic from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye Scotland.
Mary has been a member of RWA since 1996. Has served nationally on the Ethics committee and the Leadership Training Task Force. On the chapter level, she has served as the VP Programs for YARWA (Young Adult Romance Authors), President of YARWA, and is the President of DARA (Dallas Area Romance Authors).
Anita Learned, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2024Anita grew up in a small town in Northeast Texas. She went to work for a major telecommunication company right after high school. After 41 plus years, she retired at age 39! (She has an active imagination.) Thirty-seven years of her career was spent as a union representative; 24 years of that 37 were spent as an elected official, representing multiple contracts. Currently mother to a 92-pound dog and 13-pound cat, she resides in Greenville, Texas, and is actively pursuing a writing career. She's been divorced once and is currently searching for her own real-life hero.
Ursula Renee, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2024Ursula Renée wrote her first book, The Day Will Come, when she was in the fourth grade. Though the story about a five-year-old did not become a bestseller, it sparked a love for writing that has lasted several decades.
Ursula has published three historical romances set in the early to mid-twentieth century, when people began to challenge society's conventions and express their individuality.
In her free time, Ursula enjoys stone carving, photography and drawing. She currently lives with her son and two cats.
Alexis Morgan Roark, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2025As a child, A.M. Roark believed she was destined to become a lawyer, yet wanted to be volunteer librarian, but life – as it sometimes does – had other plans. However, the stars finally aligned, and she eventually became a published, USA Today bestselling author!
Still an avid bibliophile, when she’s not weaving tales of filled with love, sexy times, and happily ever afters, you can find her lost in a great book, or trying out the latest in tech.
Laina Turner, Director-at-Large
Term expiration: 08/31/2025Laina has years of experience in leadership in the academic setting and has taught at the college level for the last two decades. She's been writing since she was a child and has been a published author for over ten years.
She resides in Indiana with her husband, three kids, three dogs, and a cat.
Advisors
Antonia Cyn, Chapter Advisor
Term expiration: 08/31/2024As a former travel agent, author Antonia Cyn enjoys taking readers on a journey in multiple genres.
When not traveling by air, sea or her own imagination, Antonia lives with her husband, two sons and three dogs.
Antonia believes living in the Pacific Northwest has its benefits. When it’s dreary outside, Antonia enjoys a mug of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of wine as she conjures story ideas.
Member Benefits
RWA offers access to a wide range of benefits available exclusively to members. We want you to have the most relevant, up-to-date information and resources to better inform your career decisions and increase your understanding of the industry.
RWA advocates for the best publishing practices for its members,
including fair contracts from both publishers and agents. Click to learn more
about the resources we offer to help protect our members.
RWA provides an unprecedented number of opportunities to
interact with fellow writers who are in all stages of their careers. We have
more than 100 local and online chapters, as well as robust online forums.
Members receive a discounted rate for the Annual Conference held
each summer, where they have the opportunity to hear inspiring speakers, take
in enlightening workshops, and make connections and friendships that will last
them their entire career. RWA also hosts booths at industry trade shows, and
several chapters host conferences throughout the year.
Members are eligible to enter RWA contests at a discounted
member rate and to participate in the many RWA chapter contests and conferences.
Members have access to webinars, workshops, recorded sessions,
articles, and other resources created by industry experts to help them grow in
their craft and career.
As part of the Book Industry Health Insurance Partnership
(BIHIP) powered by Lighthouse Insurance Group LLC, the Romance Writers of
America (RWA) is pleased to offer concierge service to our member companies and
their employees in need of individual, family, and business/employee health
insurance coverage options.
RWA partners with Nielsen BookScan, Publishers Alley, and Publishers
Weekly to offer members discounted subscriptions. Members can also
access subscriptions and discounts for a multitude of vendors and products to
make writing life so much easier!
