Well there was some interesting news out of National. Apparently, the RITA and GH had a bit of controversy, which had nothing to do with the actual awards. That’s a pretty impressive feat. It seems a particular political bent was presented. I received permission from Beth Harbison to pass the letter Nora Roberts penned on. Here it is in full. I have not added or deleted a thing.
OK, the details from one that knows. Here’s the statement Nora gave Tara Taylor Quinn to read the one Tara Taylor Quinn SAID she’d read, but did not (the intro paragraph was just added):
As Ms. Quinn refused to read my statement, as agreed, before the awards ceremony in Reno, then again reneged on her agreement to read it after the awards, I will write it here.
Nora Roberts declines to host tonight’s awards ceremony as she feels the content is inappropriate and believes the focus should be on the nominees and the organization.
Oddly, I wasn’t given a script by Ms. Quinn. One was provided by a member of the production team when I requested it on Friday afternoon in Reno. The only significant change I was able to implement, though I argued and debated with Ms. Quinn, Laura Hayden and Diana Pershing, was the deletion of the video containing the fall of the Twin Towers and the Oklahoma City bombing. How painful those images would have been to the many editors and agents in attendance who lived though 911.
Instead of a celebration, a night of fun and anticipation for the nominees, and an entertaining and sparkling event, the audience was treated to a three-plus hour world history lesson, heavy on disaster, death, politics, war and tragedy–in one memorable moment, Don’t Worry, Be Happy was played over those images.
I can’t comprehend how such tragic events and images had a place at a ceremony meant to showcase the nominees and the twenty-five years of the organization. Nor can I understand how it was thought proper to juxtapose those with presenters being driven on stage in a limo, walking to the podium to Joan Riveresque commentary in a format that gave more play to the presenters–through no fault of their own–than those who were privileged to take home a Golden Heart or a Rita. The emcee’s place in all this seemed to be to recite endless dry facts and figures of RWA dues, conference fees and sites over the last quarter of a century, instead of relating the heart of our organization.
It was tempting to resign my membership–I haven’t been so tempted in 25 years. But it wasn’t RWA that pushed this agenda. It was a handful of individuals. RWA has, as always, my respect, affection and gratitude. The current president has none of those.
Nora Roberts
-sent by Beth Harbison
Will probably comment eventually too, but just leaving this thought…
How arrogant (not to mention THICK) do you have to be to piss off and insult La Nora in one smooth, easy move? Not that it’s all about that, of course, since I’ve heard others voice the same complaint…
For those who’ve come to think the title ‘president’ referred to the freaking PLANET, may I suggest you run for political office, so the GENERAL population can dispose of you QUICKLY??!!
Writers have enough problems to deal with as it is, thank you.
by raine August 2nd, 2005 at 11:26 pmWow! That’s about I can say right now. Still digesting everything. I’ve been buried under at work and thought I’d make some rounds this morning when I heard this. I immediately hoped out to your blog Jordan (and a few others) because I knew you’d have the latest and most reliable info! I have several thoughts swimming around in my head now.
by Teresa August 3rd, 2005 at 3:00 amIsn’t that wonderful? Piss off the Queen of romance which during a Romance Writers of America ceremony. That’s awesome. What in hell are they on?!
by Trace August 3rd, 2005 at 7:02 amLove it Raine…keep em coming……
by CJ August 3rd, 2005 at 8:03 amI probably shouldn’t say this but I hope when a certain presidents reign of terror is over and we’re all set free, she falls off the planet. she’s done more harm for the RWA in 3 short months than the words ‘bodice ripper’ EVER did.
by Cece August 3rd, 2005 at 8:12 amI am curious as to who wrote the original script, which supposedly had 12 RWA members slaving over it after Nora said it was awful?
by robin bayne August 3rd, 2005 at 12:49 pmGuys, I’m still so floored and beyond grateful that I didn’t attend. Everything I hear just keeps getting worse and worse.
TTQ has denied having anything to do with the original script. Take it for what it’s worth, since other board members have come forward and said just the opposite.
Rumor has it the editors from one of the major publishing houses walked out in protest. I still haven’t heard if it’s true, and if so, who it was.
To make it even more fun an independent film company attended the conference to make a documentary for the Bravo network. Wow! What an impression! Let’s hope they didn’t catch the ceremony, but I’m sure that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
by Jordan August 3rd, 2005 at 3:03 pmTTQ has denied having anything to do with the original script.
like that’s a SURPRISE???
by cece August 3rd, 2005 at 4:06 pmCece, My thoughts exactly. :-/
by Jordan August 3rd, 2005 at 4:50 pmFurthermore to the current President, I stood up at the AGM meeting and asked when Erotic Romances would be a category for both Rita and Golden Heart and TTQ dismissed me like I was yesterday’s garbage. She said, “That is not a question for this board nor have we considered it.” The stunned silence that followed showed how many people were appalled by my abrupt dismissal. And afterward, I had twenty women come over to me to state how rudely I was dismissed and that I was owed an apology. TTQ should’ve been nicer and explained exactly how we could go about getting erotic romance as a category for these awards not answer me like I and all other erotic romance writers weren’t worth her time.
by Jane August 4th, 2005 at 8:13 amJane, I’m so sorry. I’d heard about that, but had no idea who it happened to. (((hugs))) You certainly deserve as much respect as everyone else.
by Jordan August 4th, 2005 at 10:51 amThank goodness we’re appalled by the “tragimentary.” I was afraid the world had become so intent on celebrating tragedy, violence, and death that even RWA, a society based on LOVE and HAPPY ENDINGS, was embracing it. Thank God most of it’s members are not. Surely RWA will never again be associated with such killing fields. I hope TTQ can apologize, pick up the pieces, and move on with her life. CC
by CC August 15th, 2005 at 9:08 pm