Why RWA?
We've asked a few of our members to tell us what makes RWA so special to them. Here's what they had to say:

 

Joining RWA in 2002 was the single best thing I did as a wannabe romance writer. I attended my first conference the same year and was immediately exposed to a brain expanding wealth of information, support and friendship which resulted in my first sale to Avalon Books in 2006.
Elisabeth Rose
http://www.elisabethrose.com.au

Why join the Romance Writers of Australia? Well, apart from the obvious - that the RWA offers the most fantastic support to all its members which includes up-to-date industry info, a network of wonderful writers - both published and yet-to-be-published - annual conferences which international authors and NY agents attend (not to mention the fabulous Romance Roadshow which this year travelled to Perth and Adelaide) - where else will I find people who won't either give me freaky looks or attempt to lock me up when I tell them how much I enjoy being the goddess-of-my-own-universe? 
Christina Phillips
http://www.christinaphillips.com

RWA has given me a circle of support; a group of people who are likewise minded and willing to share all their knowledge, ups and downs as we all travel the path to publication and beyond. 
Anita Joy
http://anitajoy.blogspot.com

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be published without Romance Writers of Australia. The help, the support, the contests, the friendship, the range of knowledge that people so generously share all helped me to achieve my dream of becoming a full-time writer. Bravo, RWA!
Anna Campbell
http://www.annacampbell.info

Being part of such a wonderful online community has meant no more to Miss
Mumbles when answering the dreaded question – 'What kind of novels do
you write?' Now I shout loudly and proudly – ‘I WRITE ROMANCE NOVELS!' Jennifer McLeod

One of the best things about RWA is being with like-minded people.  Writing can be isolating so it's great to know there are people out there who 'get me'!
Nicola Marsh
http://www.nicolamarsh.com

The conferences, HeartsTalk and e-list are terrific, but for me the
best part of being an RWA member is the fellowship of belonging to a
critique group. Ours is "Hearts of Gold". Claire, Lorena, Winifred, Allen, Lisa and Vanda are the best!
Bronwyn Houldsworth      

Bootcamp, Critique Register, Roadshow... without these I would still be beavering away in isolation writing mistargeted, hybrid, wrong-length manuscripts on flimsy paperstock with irredeemable heroes and overly complicated plots. I cannot imagine a single thing on the 'must have' list that RWAus does not supply to anyone who needs it.  
Nikki Logan
http:// www.nikkilogan.com.au

Why RWA? For me that is an easy question. Before I joined I did everything wrong, wasting heaps of time and money sending raw manuscripts to the wrong publishers, in the wrong format and wondering why I got rejected time and again without editors even bothering to look at my work. Then I discovered RWA! Wow was it a big learning curve ... but the comps showed me how to hone my craft and the networking showed me how to present my work in its best light. While it took a while to receive that much-vaunted first contract, the support of the membership kept me plugging away until I succeeded. No doubt that wouldn't have happened had I remained in the wilderness.
Jennifer Brassel
http://www.jenniferbrassel.com

Joining RWA is the smartest move I've made so far in my professional writing career. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
AJ Macpherson
http://www.ajmacpherson.com

RWAustralia was with me every step of the way during my long 11 year apprenticeship before getting published. The romaus loop held my hand when the R's rolled in, provided me with contests and conferences to hone my craft and toasted me when success, in the form of contest wins or a request and ultimately a sale, finally happened.

But the best thing by far is the friends and the networks made with fellow romausers along the way, friends for life. I can't imagine how different and how much emptier a journey this would have been if I had been struggling by myself all those years. Thank you RWAustralia!
Trish Morey
http://www.trishmorey.com

I joined RWA to enter one contest expecting nothing but some judging feedback. I have found – like-minded writers, plentiful support and assistance, creative critique partners, many wonderful contests with incredible feedback, a magazine full of tips and inspiration, and a whole new world of opportunities. What a brilliant group to fall into!
Catherine Evans

I wrote a good story, but didn't become a good writer until I joined RWA. I learned more from this organisation in three months than I had in the eighteen months it took to write my first book. Thanks RWA.
Gail Symmonds
http://gailsymmonds.com

RWA members understand why you write, why you have that inner desire,
the driving force behind of what you do. There is no better
understanding than other writers to help you on your road to
publication.
Suzanne Brandyn
http://www.suzannebrandyn.com

That's easy. Without the RWA I wouldn't still be writing and nor would my work be published. RWA has given me a terrific combination of professional know how and unstinting support. Without those I fear my dream of being a writer would have shrivelled and died. So many of my close friends were introduced to me by the RWA and when I have questions as a professional writer, it's often to RWA members I turn first. Joining it has enriched my life and helped me achieve my dream.
Annie West
http://www.annie-west.com

I've been a member of RWA for the past 10 years and will continue to be so.
Why?

  • The wonderful support we give each other via the Romaus e-list. The friendships made, discussions and advice given are invaluable.
  • The annual conference – so professional and bubbling with enthusiasm.
  • Available competitions (which continue to grow and change).
  • The CP program – forming working relationships to benefit each other.
  • Bootcamps – being part of the first Bootcamp workshop was an amazing experience. I've created a great many friendships and our group is still going strong over a year later.
  • Face to face and virtual groups available (I'm part of SARA, Paranormal and Speculative, as well as the Bootcamp group).
  • Website and especially having a chat room (proud member of Web Team).
  • Roadshows – being in Adelaide , it didn't feel so much that I missed out since I wasn't going to the annual conference. What a fantastic day!
  • Hearts Talk – I am a proud member of the editorial team. Being a link to all our members everywhere. Devouring it each month.
  • Going into the future with the first virtual committee back in 2001 (very forward thinking) and the determination of members not wanting to let the organisation fold.
  • Offshoot groups forming – such as the NaNoWriMo group.
  • Supporting each other in the blogging world.
  • Most of all there's the generosity of spirit of members. There is nothing quite like it. This organisation is by writers for writers and it reflects in the enthusiasm but also the professionalism, which is even more amazing because it's run by volunteers.

RWA rocks!
Eleni Konstantine
http://www.elenikonstantine.com