CHARTER OAK ROMANCE WRITERS (CORW)
RWA CHAPTER #194

Website: www.charteroakromancewriters.org
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

WHO WE ARE:
The Charter Oak Romance Writers is an area-wide chapter of the Romance Writers of America, a non-profit, national organization of over 8,000 published and aspiring romance writers. Membership in CORW is open to anyone who is at least 18 years old. Although many of our members write in genres other than romance, such mysteries, non-fiction, children's books, musicals, etc., CORW is first and foremost a romance writers' group dedicated to providing information and support to fellow romance writers through a variety of programs.

OUR MEMBERS:
RWA members range from aspiring writers working on their first romance to multi-published veterans who also teach writing at local colleges and conferences. They come from a wide variety of professions, such as teaching, engineering, public relations, journalism, secretarial, medical and many more. Some still practice their professions, while others are full-time homemakers or retirees. Whatever the background, all share a respect for the romance genre, a love of and commitment to writing, and the desire to be published.

HOW TO JOIN:
Anyone interested in joining CORW may attend two trial meetings before joining. Members pay yearly dues of $20 and are required to join the national organization within two months. RWA yearly dues are $75, with an additional start-up fee. RWA requires each chapter to regularly submit a list of their active members to ensure that each chapter member is also a member in good national standing. Those CORW members who do not comply will be required to relinquish their chapter membership.

OUR MEETINGS:
CORW meets regularly on the first Saturday of every month (except July and August) at South Glastonbury Public Library, 80 High Street, South Glastonbury, CT. It is fifteen minutes south of Hartford.

The business meeting, open to members only, begins at 10:00 a.m. with the monthly program, which is open to the general public at no charge, starting at 11:00 a.m. Beverages will be available during meetings.

In case of inclement weather, members are asked to check the CORW loop for information regarding cancellation. A message would be posted by 8:00 a.m. of the meeting day.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:
Members have access to the CORW Yahoo loop which enables members to post questions of other writers or to share news about their writing. Members who have also joined national RWA will also receive The Romance Writers Report, a monthly magazine with writing articles and publishing information.

Members may attend, for a reduced rate, RWA's annual national conference which is held in various locations across the U.S. and excellent regional conferences such as the New England "Let Your Imagination Take Flight" and New Jersey's "Put Your Heart in a Book". Attendees benefit from wonderful workshops, networking opportunities and the chance to meet with an editor or agent.

CORW boasts many published writers who willingly offer their expertise to other writers as guest speakers at our monthly meetings, through workshops and on the CORW loop. Published authors are not required to act as mentors, critique manuscripts or make referrals to their editors or agents.

OUR PROGRAMS:
Our monthly programs are geared for both published and non-published romance authors. Guest speakers will include multi-published romance authors, e-published romance authors, and subject to availability, editors or agents. The programs will cover a wide range of topics from the state of the industry to practical "how-to" writing instruction.

CORW does not offer mentoring or critique services, however, whenever possible we do offer two hour critique sessions following the monthly meeting. Members are encouraged to form critique groups with like-minded members.

ON-LINE COURSES:
Members have the opportunity to participate, for a small fee, in on-line writing courses offered through CORW. These classes typically run for approximately a month and cover a wide range of topics. Check the chapter website for course offerings.

BISW (Book In Six Weeks):
This new program is open to any CORW member who is interested in challenging him/herself to complete a first draft manuscript in six weeks. Modeled after the popular BIW (Book In A Week) program, it's designed to motivate our members to complete their manuscripts to bring them closer to submission to agents and editors. Participants are encouraged to post page completion totals twice a week in order to see their own progress. This program runs from the beginning of January to the middle of February.

VOLUNTEERING:
Since CORW is composed entirely of volunteers, members are urged to contribute their time to keep our chapter running smoothly. Opportunities include running for an officer's position, handling the tape library, contest judging, publicity, programs, and membership, to name a few.