Romance Writers of America

Romance Writers of America (RWA ) is a writers' association, which was founded in 1980 in Houston, Texas, initially with 37 members. The nonprofit organization operates nationally and currently (2006) approximately 9,500 members worldwide ( mainly from the USA and Canada). The goal is to support romances writers and exchange of information between them. The members include doctors, engineers, scientists or teachers, and to a large extent in the more than 140 local groups active.

Once a year in summer, there is a conference in different cities of the United States. The more than 100 workshops cover topics such as writing style, use of pseudonyms, contract law or cover design. Publishers and editors to take the opportunity to search for new talent.

The Association awarded each year in a ceremony two prices: the RITA Award for the most outstanding published romance, named after the first President Rita Clay Estrada Association. And the Golden Heart Award for best unpublished manuscript.

The Association issues monthly a magazine, the Romance Writers Report.