About CNYRW
CNYRW is an active affiliate of Romance Writers of America, a national organization of approximately 8,000 members with chapters throughout the USA and Canada. We meet once a month at the Liverpool Public Library in Liverpool, NY to exchange thoughts and ideas on the state of the industry, share in critiquing sessions, and attend our monthly writing workshops. Founded in 1988, our group includes members from all over Central New York--Syracuse, Oswego, Canandaigua, Gloversville, Plymouth--and anywhere in between.
CNYRW members share a closeness that comes of being kindred spirits. Each of us has spent his or her time struggling through the solitary process of creation, submission, hope, and rejection. We thrill with each other's successes, cry with each other's disappointments, bolster each other's confidence, and cheer each other on. We invite you to explore our site, and see what our chapter has to offer. Feel free to send us an E-mail or a letter if you have any questions at all. We hope to meet you soon.
2010 Meeting Schedule: "The Year of the Character"
* Members and guests must be 18 years of age to attend *
(Programs subject to change. Dates will be added as available.)
January 16, 2010 - Dawn Ireland-Monsees - A Character Reference
February 6, 2010 - Ellen Hartman - Writing the Beta Man
March 6, 2010 - Maggie Shayne - Writing the Alpha Man
March 12 & 13, 2010 - It's conference time again! Click the banner below to learn about our exciting 2010 conference!
April 10, 2010 - One-Page Workshop on Writing the Alpha/Beta Hero - Write the page in the heroine's POV, as if the hero were alpha, then write it again as if he were beta!
May 8, 2010 - "My manuscript is broken, how do I fix it?" - Bring your questions for a group discussion.
June 5, 2010 - Kristan Higgins - Character Arc Meeting Plot Structure
September 11, 2010 - Jackie Kessler - Query Letters and Marketing Yourself
October 2010 - Date and Speaker TBA
November 2010 - Date and Speaker TBA
December 2010 - Rose Ceremony and Holiday Party - CDC 2010 Will Throw A Party to Be Remembered!
Meeting Itinerary
NEW MEMBERS must present their dues upon arrival to take part in members-only activities. GUESTS may stay for lunch, programs, and the social hours, but are asked to wait in the library for members-only activities. Members bringing guests, please inform the chapter officers as soon as you arrive.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break
- 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Board Meeting (members only)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Business Meeting (members only)
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Program
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Writers' Social
Amber Schalk Volunteer of the Year Award
This annual award is given in memory of Amber Schalk, a longtime CNYRW member who contributed much to our chapter. Congratulations to the following CNYRW members who were honored for service to our chapter!
- 2009: Molly Herwood
- 2008: Gayle Callen
- 2007: Barbie Jo Bogart and Kari Lee Townsend
- 2006: Bill Blodgett, Janine Giordano, Andrea Kaczor
- 2005: Susan St. Thomas
- 2004: Midge Johnson and Gayle Callen
- 2003: Carol Lombardo
- 2002: Molly Herwood and Chris Fletcher
- 2001: Nancy Lewandrowski and C.J. Barry
- 2000: Jane O'Connor, Kathy Grimes, and Theresa Kovian
- 1999: Cara Summers
- 1998: Ginny Aubertine and Patty Gannon
- 1997: Jenna Mindel
- 1996: Maggie Shayne, Chris Wenger, and Gayle Callen