CHAPTER HISTORY
Romance Writers of America/New York City, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Nora Siri Bock, Regency author Theresa Grazia, glitz author Sarah Gallick, and children's author Kathryn Hayes with the advice and financial support of the Hudson Valley chapter.
In the beginning, RWA/NYC met at the NBC building in the Upper West Side in the cafeteria. As the chapter membership grew, the meeting location changed several times to meet the chapter's needs. During the pandemic, the chapter hosted virtual meetings, which allowed us to reach a larger audience and attract speakers who are outside the city.
Being in the heart of the Romance industry, RWA/NYC has been fortunate enough to get front-line editors, publishers, agents, and industry professionals to come speak at chapter meetings, a tradition begun by our founding mothers.
Over the years, chapter members have been Golden Heart finalists and winners, RITA finalists and winners, National Regional Service winners and Regional Directors (Maria Ferrer and Ursula Renée). We have also had members Shirley Hailstock and Dee Davis serve as RWA National President. Today, RWA/NYC welcomes members who are published, pre-published and aspiring authors.
Ursula Renée
Past President, RWA/NYC
In the beginning, RWA/NYC met at the NBC building in the Upper West Side in the cafeteria. As the chapter membership grew, the meeting location changed several times to meet the chapter's needs. During the pandemic, the chapter hosted virtual meetings, which allowed us to reach a larger audience and attract speakers who are outside the city.
Being in the heart of the Romance industry, RWA/NYC has been fortunate enough to get front-line editors, publishers, agents, and industry professionals to come speak at chapter meetings, a tradition begun by our founding mothers.
Over the years, chapter members have been Golden Heart finalists and winners, RITA finalists and winners, National Regional Service winners and Regional Directors (Maria Ferrer and Ursula Renée). We have also had members Shirley Hailstock and Dee Davis serve as RWA National President. Today, RWA/NYC welcomes members who are published, pre-published and aspiring authors.
Ursula Renée
Past President, RWA/NYC