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EnglishWhat Educational Programs and Events Does RWA Organize for Romance Writers?
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Romance Writers of America (RWA) runs two main kinds of programming: ongoing education through RWA University and its workshops, and in-person events anchored by the RWA Annual Conference plus chapter and author-weekend gatherings. The education side is open-ended and submission-driven; the events side follows a published calendar, with the next Annual Conference announced for Portland in July 2027. What follows covers what each program is, who it suits, and how to take part.
Education: RWA University and Workshops
RWA University is the association's education hub. It is built partly on contributions from members: the site invites writers to submit "Author Survival Guides, Writing for Writers Guides," and tip, guide, or workshop ideas for other romance writers. That means the catalog grows from the community rather than from a fixed curriculum.
- Author Survival Guides and Writing for Writers Guides — practical, peer-written material aimed at the business and craft side of a romance career.
- Workshops — listed as a distinct education category alongside RWA University, and also something members can propose.
- About Romance Fiction — a reference section on the genre itself, useful for writers positioning their work or explaining the market.
If you want to contribute rather than consume, the path is a submission: send a guide or workshop proposal through the channels listed under RWA University. If you want to learn, browse the education section and the publications area, which also accepts articles for the RWA magazine (RWR) and offers advertising options.
Who the education track fits
This suits career-focused writers who want low-commitment, self-paced material and are willing to learn from peers. It is less suited to someone seeking a structured, credentialed course sequence — the site describes resources and workshops, not a graded program.
Events: Annual Conference, Chapter Events, and Author Weekends
RWA's event calendar lists several distinct formats, each with a different purpose:
| Event | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RWA Annual Conference | The national gathering; the 2027 edition is set for Portland | Writers wanting the full industry experience — networking, sessions, market exposure |
| Chapter Events | Local and regional events run by RWA chapters | Writers who want nearby, lower-cost connection |
| Indie Author Weekend | A focused weekend for independent publishing paths | Self-publishing romance authors |
| Traditional Author Weekend | A focused weekend for traditional publishing paths | Authors pursuing or under contract with publishers |
| Romance Awareness Month | A public-facing awareness push for the genre | Authors and readers promoting romance visibility |
| Trade Shows | Industry-facing appearances | Writers and publishers focused on business relationships |
The split between Indie and Traditional Author Weekends is the most useful signal for choosing: pick the one matching your publishing model rather than attending both.
The Annual Conference timing
The site states the 2027 Annual Conference is "headed to the beautiful Pacific Northwest" and landing in Portland in July 2027, with details to follow. Because specifics are still pending, the practical move is to watch the events calendar and plan travel only once registration and programming are published. The site itself frames it as "never too early to start planning your trip."
How to Participate
- Check the events calendar for dates on chapter events, author weekends, and the national conference.
- Join or renew membership — the Join/Renew and Gift a Membership links sit alongside member benefits, and member status is the normal route into chapter communities and volunteer opportunities.
- Pick your community — PAN/PRO communities and Chapters connect you to writers at your career stage or in your region.
- Submit to RWA University if you have a guide or workshop to share, or submit articles for RWR.
- Watch for conference details as Portland 2027 programming is announced.
Common Stumbling Points
- Assuming education is a formal course. RWA University is largely contributor-driven; expect guides and workshops, not a syllabus.
- Attending the wrong author weekend. Match Indie or Traditional to your actual publishing path.
- Planning conference travel too early. Dates and logistics for 2027 are still "stay tuned" — confirm before booking.
- Overlooking the awards and scholarships. Diamond Heart, Golden Heart, Lifetime Achievement, and other RWA awards, plus scholarships and grants, sit in the same ecosystem and are worth checking against your goals.
For a writer deciding where to start: use RWA University and the workshops for immediate, low-cost learning, then choose a chapter event or author weekend based on your publishing model, and treat the Portland 2027 conference as the longer-range anchor once details are released.