The mission of the Land of Enchantment Romance Authors (LERA) is to support the efforts of our members in their pursuit of a writing career in romance fiction. Our members include published and pre-published authors in many genres and subgenres: contemporary romance, historical romance, erotic romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and fiction containing strong romantic elements. One thing we all have in common is the desire to bring the stories stirring our imaginations into the world and to share the journey to publication with our fellow writers.
As an affiliated chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA), we subscribe and adhere to the RWA bylaws, code of ethics, and commitment to inclusivity. We are passionate about providing a welcoming and supportive space to all writers who have a desire to pursue a career in romance fiction. The recent events at the national level regarding the handling of an ethics violation complaint are so concerning that some members have expressed qualms about continuing RWA membership. We understand this disillusionment and we also understand that a decision to stay part of the national organization or not isn’t easy. We believe in LERA’s mission and will do everything we can to provide our membership with the information and the tools to empower them in pursuing their writing goals.
A petition for a recall election was sent from CIMRWA (Cultural, Interracial, Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of Romance Writers of America) and is scheduled to arrive at the RWA office Friday, January 3rd. This petition was signed by well over the requisite 10% of total RWA membership. According to the RWA bylaws, the Executive Director has 14 days to verify and certify the recall petition. The President then has another 14 days to schedule a recall election. We will communicate the status of this process as we receive information. RWA just announced the hiring of a law firm to conduct an independent audit of how the ethics complaint was handled and to make recommendations on adjustments to the ethics policy and procedures.
We’re all affected in one way or another by the dominant society we live in, so the journey towards diversity, equity, and inclusion is not an easy one. It demands a constant, concerted, and collective shift in how we think, communicate, and live in this world. This recent crisis gives us a chance to re-examine our methods and gain knowledge to continue this work. Our voices matter. We invite you to move forward with us and flourish in your creative ambitions.
Sincerely,
Shannon Moreau
LERA Chapter President