 | 16 Jul 09 |
I get asked a lot about the pros and cons of joining International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. Here’s my two cents about the benefits of each organization, so you can decide which is right for you.
ITW
* Founded by published authors for published authors. They attempted to be another fan organization, but it didn’t work (IMO.) They are now expanding more into the unpublished author realm, and I think that will be far more successful. They promote the thriller genre, and specifically thriller AUTHORS.
* Approximately 1,000 members. 80+% are published authors (print published only.) Only published members can vote. The organization is controlled heavily by the board (which for this group works very well) and the by-laws both support no major upheavals/take-overs while also requiring new blood regularly via term limits. Associate members (non-voting) can be anyone from unpublished, agents, editors, publicists, reviews, fans, etc.
* Incredible debut author program for thriller writers (in any genre–mystery thriller, romantic thriller, etc.) If you are a debut author that can even remotely be classified as a “thriller” you need to join.
* Gender parity–probably 60/40 men/women . . . maybe with an edge of 65% men. This is to be expected because men write more thrillers.
* Published author focus–published authors do not pay dues, they have opportunities to be in anthologies that financially support the organization, and there are other (paying) opportunities to buy ads in their growing online newsletter The Big Thrill and join in other promotional venues.
* Conferences have 400-500 attendees.
* Not a big online chat group.
* No local chapters. The once a year conference is it.
* Volunteering matters–if you volunteer for something, opportunities generally follow (it might not be this year, but they have a long memory.)
RWA
* Founded by romance writers (published and unpublished) to promote/support romance and help romance writers learn the business.
* Over 9,000 members, of which about 20% are published. At least 95% female, if not more. Women generally write romance.
* The focus is really on unpublished authors. There is no better place to learn the business of publishing than RWA.
* RWA conferences have 2000+ attendees.
* Strong local and online chapters that provide workshops, classes, friendship, and the human connection that as women, I think we need because writing is so solitary.
* Some promotional opportunities through the RWR, a print magazine.
One key difference, which is partly because of the size of the organizations, is that at Thrillerfest, there are events where everyone mingles. The Random House Reception this year everyone was there–you had authors and agents and editors all mingling in a warm and friendly atmosphere. There wasn’t a sense of competition as there often is at RWA. It was all business, all professional. Very similar to the PASIC industry receptions we have, but on a much larger scale.
For me, I am a member of both. I joined RWA in February of 2003 after I went to my first local chapter meeting. I had an agent (not my current agent, not an agent who was able to sell me, but that’s another story.) I had two completed novels and hardly knew anything about the business. I’ve always believed that I would have been published with or without RWA; with RWA, however, I learned far more about the business of writing than I could have learned on my own, and I think I sold faster because of the information I had through the organization. With everything, you have to take advice with a grain of salt and consider the person offering the wisdom. Some things work for some people and not for others. But with RWA you get a breadth of experience and advice, can pick and choose what works for you, and make informed decisions. My caveat is that you can’t take anything you hear as gospel, whether it’s from me or Rocki or Karin or even Nora Roberts. What works for us might not work for you, BUT you can take the variety of experiences to help you carve your own path that works for you. I’ve been to every conference since Reno 2005.
I joined ITW shortly after it was formed in 2006. I went to the first ITW conference quite nervous–these were some major authors. Who was I? I was a newly published nobody in mass market, and these were mega authors. I fell in with the debut authors because I felt more comfortable with them–they were like me. Sure, they didn’t have a book out yet, but my trilogy was essentially a debut book and I still didn’t know a lot about the business or what to expect. This is where I met Toni, Robert Gregory Browne, Brett Battles, Alexandra Sokoloff, JT Ellison, and more. They were all debut authors in 2007, and I ended up sort of by chance mentoring my pal Gregg Olsen and landing in an anthology edited by Lee Child. I missed 2007 conference because it conflicted with RWA and my base is RWA, but honestly? I really missed going. I’ve been to the last two, and am definitely planning on 2009.
If RWA and ITW conflicts again, I can’t honestly tell you where I would end up. It depends on a variety of things, but I don’t want to lie: I have more fun at ITW. I’m not as stressed, I don’t have to work as hard, people tend to be less competitive and it’s not as fast-paced and busy. If I accidently ignore someone because my mind is in a million places, they don’t take offense. If I see an acquaintance talking to a mega author, they make room for me when I lurk around the side wanting to meet the individual. Authors go out of their way to introduce unpublished or new authors to editors, agents, the press, and other authors. ITW isn’t perfect, there are cliques like with every organization, but the people truly go out of their way to include.
I don’t mean to diss RWA, and I’m not. There organization is huge–ten times larger than ITW. They have a different purpose and mission. And the opportunities to hear a diverse and fascinating group of authors is incredible. RWA has networking opportunities that you can’ believe, and you make friends that last a lifetime. Or should. As a woman, you have people who understand what it’s like to write with a husband who thinks you’re ignore him, or juggle the kids’ schedule with your, and RWA members are much more willing to share heartbreak and the downside of the business. We share success and failure, and when you have a group of friends in RWA, there is NO ONE more supportive of you and your career. As a woman, I need that emotional connection with people who understand what I’m going through without the need to explain it. Because writing is so solitary, RWA provides the online and in person venue (though local meetings–which usually rock) to connect with like-minded humans. ITW doesn’t have that sort of emotional connection and they don’t have local chapters–and they shouldn’t, because that’s not the purpose.
There is no reason why you can’t join both if your write romantic suspense. In fact, you should. But you should know the benefit of each and accept that they are different organizations with different purposes and try to love each one for what they are. Check out the offerings at each conference. Thrillerfest is more expensive than RWA, but on the flip side you can only pay for the days you want to go. So if you just want to go to Craftfest (geared toward unpublished authors) you can. PASIC, the published author chapter of RWA, is similar experience for me as Thrillerfest on a much smaller scale. We have a bi-annual conference with industry professionals and gear everything toward the professional romance writer.
Next year, I am thrilled that there is a week break between the two conferences. I don’t think I can do a back-to-back conference again.
If you’ve been to both, what’s your experience?
© 2009 Allison Brennan. All rights reserved.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award winning author Allison Brennan has published fourteen romantic thrillers with Ballantine, plus a novella and four short stories. She lives near Sacramento, California with her husband and five children. Recently, RT Book Reviews said, “A master of suspense, Brennan does another outstanding job uniting horrifying action, procedural drama and the birth of a romance — a prime example of why she’s tops in the genre.” For fun Allison enjoys wine tasting, swimming, playing video games, and—of course–reading. Her most recent release is CARNAL SIN, the second book in the Seven Deadly Sins supernatural romantic suspense series. Her Lucy Kincaid series will launch in January, 2011 with LOVE ME TO DEATH.
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Hi Allison,
by Toni Hingleton July 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pmI hope your having a great time in DC. I have not been to both but have a unpublished writer friend who has. She writes more Mystery/Thriller with Romantic elements so she leans more towards ITW. Personally I would really miss the interaction/help/support and networking of RWA if I had to choose…We are such a loving bunch and most of us really go out of our way to help each other…
I am looking forward to Nationals in Nashville next year and hope to see ya there…
~toni
I remember that first Thrillerfest quite well, sitting in a lunch booth with Allison, talking about the business. And I was amazed at how much knowledge she had been able to pack into her brain in such a short amount of time. Although Allison’s first books were coming out, she made me feel as if I was in the company of a seasoned pro who was happy to share.
I went to RWA a year or so later and have to say that I pretty much agree with Allison’s assessment of the two organizations. I’m a member of both and enjoyed both conferences, but there’s an intimacy at ITW that really makes it special.
by Robert Gregory Browne July 16th, 2009 at 3:08 pmWhen I think of the greatest things that have happened to me in my career, I put having Allison as my mentor (through ITW and the Killer Year antho) close to the top. So kind, smart and classy. I know that I speak for everyone who’s had the chance to meet her. The best in the business, that’s Allison.
by Gregg Olsen July 16th, 2009 at 5:51 pmGregg, don’t make me choke up. Thanks
. . . and you rock, too. I wouldn’t have mentored you if I didn’t like and admire you! I really hope you can make it to Thrillerfest next year. I know we’d have lots of fun!
by Allison Brennan July 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pmSo, did you ever get a definition of where “supsense” crosses the line and becomes “thriller.”
From what I’m seeing, publishers are slapping “thriller” on books right and left.
I never thought of my own books as “thrillers” but now I’m thinking I might have missed something.
However, if my book had “thriller” on the cover, and I’d read it with my expectations of a thriller, I’d have been disappointed. Not with the book, of course, but with the label.
I doubt anyone here has read When Danger Calls, to give me an outside opinion. But I’m curious.
by Terry Odell July 17th, 2009 at 6:02 amI would have loved to go to the ITW conference, but the timing with RWA right behind it made it impossible. Next year, though, I’m going to make a concerted effort.
I’m also curious about what Terry mentioned above, re: the line between thriller and r.s. I’m very happy with how my first dark suspense is being received, but there have been a few readers who have been horrified that it was labeled a romantic suspense as they think it is far too violent. Allison, have you had this problem with r.s. readers? I adore your books and fiind them “just right” for me, but wonder if other r.s. readers have given you grief about the darker content.
I wish mine had just been marked “Romantic Thriller” on the spine–problem solved!
by Leslie Kelly-Parrish July 18th, 2009 at 4:49 pmI was at a MWA meeting today, and author Martha Powers spoke about creating suspense. She said she doesn’t consider the books she writes ‘thrillers’ but said the publishers seem to be splashing that on all the covers as a marketing ploy.
by Terry Odell July 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pmInteresting, Terry! I have read Martha’s books–she’s great. I’d probably consider them a cross between mystery/thriller, with romantic elements. But how on earth does a publisher tag that? lol!
by Leslie Kelly-Parrish July 18th, 2009 at 5:24 pmThank you for your illuminating post. It’s interesting that I’ve noted some of those same differences between MWA and RWA. I consider myself a romance writer first, even though the bulk of my work is in the mystery genre. I feel closer to my romance colleagues for the emotional connection. That’s what keeps me going through the highs and lows of this career.
by Nancy Cohen July 19th, 2009 at 2:56 amNancy, you’re right on the money about RWA providing an emotional connection. I think as women we need that give and take in interpersonal relationships, which I also think benefits us when we write outside or on the edge of the romance genre. Readers connect with characters first, cool plot and high stakes notwithstanding.
by Allison Brennan July 19th, 2009 at 12:44 pmSorry it took me so long to post! It’s been a busy couple days . . . a busy two weeks, honestly!
Toni, we missed you, but hopefully we’ll see each other again soon. If your friend is unpublished, honestly, though Thrillerfest would be a must (IMO), she’ll learn more throughout the year from RWA through the local and online chapters. ITW doesn’t have an active message board, and while people are helpful between conferences, it’s usually (IMO) people that you’ve met at a conference, bonded with, and you communicate with outside of the organization because of it.
Robert, I’m amazed at how much I DIDN’T know then that I know now, which tells me in three years, I’ll be reflecting on how much I didn’t know now . . . Toni and I were just talking about that conference, specifically the great restaurant and kalamata olive dip . . .
by Allison Brennan July 19th, 2009 at 3:55 amTerry, ITW doesn’t have a definition of thriller on their website, and I’m glad. A thriller is hard to define. What would be a thriller to me might not be to someone else. For example, I loved one book in an ITW contest that I thought was a perfect example of a thriller, and another person on my panel didn’t.
To me, a thriller is about pacing and stakes. They are page-turners in the truest sense, not just because it’s a good story and you want to get to the end, but because you HAVE to find out what happens. The stakes are high–meaning, something important to the characters or the world is a stake IMMEDIATELY. There is little to no “down time” in terms of reflection by the characters, the description is generally relevant to the plot and not simply prose to set the stage or the the tone of the book. They have a faster “feeling” to them. Though I don’t particularly like thrillers with NO lulls–I need my adrenaline to slow for awhile before it spikes!
BUT, ultimately, you’re right in your comment to Leslie that publishers are using “thriller” more for marketing than anything else. Thrillers CAN be a romantic thriller (and I do think I write romantic thrillers, though I’m sure some would disagree) or a medical thriller or a crime thriller or a legal thriller, etc. Also, you’ll find that more male author get labeled as thriller and more female authors get labeled as romantic suspense or mystery. The female “thriller” label is relatively new in the marketplace.
by Allison Brennan July 19th, 2009 at 4:02 amAllison, what you said about thrillers revolving around “high stakes” agrees with everything I’d heard. Somewhere, there’s a line between ‘suspense’ and ‘thriller’ — I don’t remember my algebra (or was it geometry) — but it seems to me that ‘all thrillers are suspense, but not all suspense are thrillers’
(Unless you’re the publisher out to make sales!)
by Terry Odell July 19th, 2009 at 6:23 amLeslie, since RWA is in Nashville next year I’ve been told by many that they are going because it’s cheaper for them to get there. And because the two conferences aren’t back-to-back, it’s going to be easier for people to go to both. NYC is expensive, but if you room with someone it’s not too bad.
NOW your comment about dark RS. Yes, I get some criticism from some readers who feel that my books are suspense and not romantic suspense. That’s fine. It’s their opinion. i’m labelled romantic suspense because I write romantic suspense–there is a hero, heroine, relationship, and happily ever after. Yes, I write dark suspense stories over that relationship (as opposed to being a backdrop to the relationship) but the wonderful thing about RS is that it’s a broad and thriving genre where you can have sexy, romance driven RS like the FABULOUS Roxanne St. Claire writes, and dark, scary, suspense driven RS like what I write.
You can not please all the readers all the time. The important thing is to please YOUR readers, and build from there. I think readers get more upset if you start writing like Rocki and then get darker and darker and end up writing like me. I don’t think the tone of my books has changed in the 12 that I have written.
I’d love to be a romantic thriller–but there is no designation in the computer. It needs to be conveyed in the back cover copy as well as the cover that the book is more a “thriller” than a traditional RS. But as long as you keep the story promise of a h/h moving to the next level in their relationship where the reader can buy that they can and will be together beyond the end of the book, I see it as an rs. (But, honestly, it’s so driven by the market.)
by Allison Brennan July 19th, 2009 at 4:10 amThanks Allison–I totally agree! I think there’s room for both kinds of RS and I love and read both. Don’t necessarily think that just because the suspense storyline is darker in one vs. the other that it means it’s not still a romance at the core.
Have a safe trip home from DC!
by Leslie Kelly-Parrish July 19th, 2009 at 8:32 am