RWA Change

***Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged***

I'm a member of the movement within RWA looking to bring change in regards to digital publishing. There are some conflicting thoughts currently being passed around considering what is being supported and what is hoped to change. A Mission Statement has been written and it has been pasted it in below. It clearly states what the movement is about and what it is looking to accomplish.

--Romance Writers for Change Mission Statement--

Romance Writers for Change was formed to help educate and create awareness about digital publishing for all RWA members. We fully support and believe in the RWA organization, and hope to partner with it in a positive, constructive way. To that end, Romance Writers for Change members support the following statements:

--RWA members should be offered educational opportunities regarding all aspects of digital publishing and rights exploration/protection.

--The creation of a new Digital Liaison seat on the RWA Board of Directors is in the best interest of all RWA members.

--RWA's Publisher Standards should incorporate publisher criteria that recognize digital and small press publishing as legitimate and valid models.

--RWA's Published Author standards should be revised according to a set of criteria that recognizes the specific digital publishing business model.

--All romance publications published by a royalty-paying, non-vanity/non-subsidy publisher should be eligible for the RITA, provided the submission meets minimum industry-standardized format requirements. Format requirements should be based on neutral criteria that endorse readability and ease of judging, and should not be based on the method of production or distribution.

(--End Mission Statement--)
Though Romance Writers for Change is 600+ members strong, Romance Writers for Change can't do this alone. If you support the push for change, if you wish to see the above changes implemented, your proxy for the AGM at Nationals '09 is needed. If you're not attending nationals, or if you're attending, but are not going to the AGM, send in your proxy so your voice can be heard.

What is a proxy? A proxy will allow you to appoint another member of good standing who will be attending the AGM to vote in your place. It is crucial to achieve as many proxies as possible to be heard at the AGM. Instructions for filling out your proxy and sending it in (hard copy or electronically) can be found here: http://www.courtneymilan.com/proxies.php