Full RWA board resigns, special election called over controversy

In the US, the entire board of Romance Writers of America (RWA) has resigned and the association has called a special election to fill the board, reports Publishers Weekly.

The news comes after the board’s president and RWA’s executive director both resigned in early January alongside the news that the annual RITA awards were cancelled this year.

The nonprofit association has been at the centre of a controversy over bias and a lack of transparency that started with the RWA’s censure of author Courtney Milan, suspension of her membership and a lifetime ban from holding a leadership position with the organisation. The removal of Milan, who was previously chairperson of the RWA’s ethics committee, triggered accusations of racism, homophobia and lack of transparency against the board, with authors including Nora Roberts voicing their support for Milan.

The six remaining board members who resigned most recently explained their decision in a joint letter of resignation that read, in part: ‘We believe that stepping down to allow for new leadership chosen by the membership is in the best interests of the association … We believe that the Board must have the trust of the membership and that this is the best way forward to achieve that. We believe RWA can and will be a place of inclusion and respect. We tender our resignations in support of the organisation and its mission.’

Category: International news