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.
Featured Speaker
Roundtable Discussion: Social Media for Writers
As an author, your options for an online presence are no longer limited just to personal websites. In this informative group discussion, you'll learn from experienced authors which social media tools you can use to broaden your readership and industry connections. We will discuss social networking sites like Blogger, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as video-sharing sites such as YouTube, and many more. Come and participate as we help you expand your potential online!
Join Us!
Online Membership Renewal
NEW! Now you can renew your CNYRW membership online! Just fill out the form below, and click the PayPal button. Your purchase will be completed securely through PayPal. (NEW MEMBERS: please join by filling out the Membership Application under "Joining CNYRW" below.)
Joining CNYRW? Prefer Using Mail?
You also have the option of mailing in your membership request or renewal. Please click here for a printable .PDF application form to join CNYRW. (If you can't read the file, you may download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.)
For a mailed information packet, you may write to us at:
CNY Romance Writers
P.O. Box 521
Liverpool, NY 13088
or you may E-mail our chapter president (see CNYRW Officers).
Meeting Schedule
* Members and guests must be 18 years of age to attend. Programs and speakers are subject to change without notice. Please check here for current information. *
January 7, 2012 - Jennifer Talty - Digital Publishing
February 4, 2012 - Roundtable Discussion: Social Media for Writers
March 3, 2012 - Nicki Greenwood - The Standout Scribbler: Catching an Editor's Eye
March 9 & 10, 2012 - It's conference time again! Click here to learn about our exciting 2012 conference!
April 21, 2012 - Genreflecting: What's Hot, What's Not
May 12, 2012 - Cassandra Carr - Author Branding and Marketing
June 9, 2012 - Speaker TBA - "Help, My Manuscript Is Broken! (Part Two)"
September 2012 - Date TBA - Maggie Shayne - Topic TBA
October 2012 - Date TBA - Glen Stone, A Real Life Hero!
November 2012 - Date TBA - Cara Summers - Topic TBA
December 2012 - Rose Ceremony 2012 - We celebrate our year-long achievements with a party!
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!
- 2011: Nona Raines
- 2010: Nicki Greenwood
- 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