The RWA-Literacy Partnership

Romance Writers of America (RWA) has always had a strong interest in literacy. It's natural. Without competent readers, authors have no one with whom to connect. Add the fact that adult illiteracy in the US is a serious problem, and a partnership is born. At its national convention each year, the RWA Readers for Life literacy autographing event raises thousands of dollars for ProLiteracy Worldwide and convention city literacy organizations. RWA chapters across the country do their part with fundraising and supplying tutors for local literacy councils.

So it came to pass in the mid-1990's, that Laubach Literacy International (the forerunner of ProLiteracy Worldwide) decided to create a writing award for the best romance written for new adult readers, English-speaking adults who are just learning to read. They named the new award "The Robin" in honor of Robin Lee Hatcher, an RWA member and president whose efforts on behalf of literacy were well-known. A prominent author, Janet Dailey, had recently donated money to support publishing a romance line at New Readers Press, the publishing arm of Laubach, and the winning novel of the contest would be published as part of that line. The award was to be co-sponsored by RWA and Laubach Literacy International.

The contest was widely advertised, and the opportunity excited me. How could I not enter? I had tutored for my local literacy council and just the year before, I had published my first romance, A Private Proposal. This contest was tailored made for me.

If only I could come up with a suitable plot.