Have your say!
Welcome to the 2022 RWA Member Survey! Thank you so much for giving us your valuable feedback. Your answers will help develop an exciting and member-focused future for RWA. You can choose to remain anonymous or you can provide your name and email address to be in the running for our prize draw. Our prizes include one (1) free membership with RWA for 12 months, three (3) free passes for RWA Academy courses to be used in 2023, and three (3) $20 Booktopia gift cards. A report on this survey will be available to members in early 2023. (NOTE: This survey should take around 15 minutes to complete).
Information for prize draw
Please provide this information if you wish to be considered for the prize draw.
Name
First Name
Last Name
Email
example@example.com
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Personal information
These questions are aimed at helping us understand the unique circumstances and diversity of our membership and are not compulsory. All answers in this section remain strictly confidential, even if you choose to provide your name and email address to enter the prize draw. Answers from this section will not be provided in the report to the general membership. Questions in this section were developed in partnership with the RWA Diversity Committee. (NOTE: If you do not know how to answer a question at any stage, please feel free to leave it blank).
What is your age range?
18-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66+
Prefer not to answer
How do you identify in terms of:
Gender and sexuality:
Faith:
Ethnicity and/or race:
Ability (physical/mental etc.):
Other:
In what ways do you feel that the organisation, its publications, courses, and events are inaccessible to you?
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Membership
These questions will help us understand the industry information across the organisation's membership.
How long have you been a member of RWA?
*
Less than 1 year
1-2 years
2-5 years
5-10 years
10+ years
Which of these statements best describes you?
*
Unpublished author - pursuing traditional publication
Unpublished author - pursuing indie publication
Unpublished author - pursuing hybrid publication
Published author - pursuing traditional publication
Published author - pursuing indie publication
Published author - pursuing hybrid publication
Other
Which genre/s do you write or think you will write in future? Select all that apply.
*
Young Adult
New Adult
Inspirational
Rural or Small Town
Romantic Suspense
Romantic Comedy
Contemporary
Historical
Paranormal
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Own Voices
Erotica
Romantic Elements
Non-Fiction
Other
What types of characters do you write or think you will writing in the future? Select all that apply.
LGBTQIA+
People of Colour
Seasoned (mature aged) characters
Differently abled characters
Other
All of our members are at different places in their author careers and across a wide range of genres and publishing journeys. What services would you like RWA to provide to assist you with reaching your author goals?
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Contests
Have you ever entered an RWA contest?
*
Yes
No
How recently have you entered?
This year
Last year
Every year I've been a member
Several years ago
Why not?
My work isn't ready to be judged
None of the contests are right for me
I think the entry fees are too expensive
I don't see the value in entering
I've heard the judging is harsh
Other
If you have entered contests in the past but have stopped, why?
I never seemed to advance in the contest rounds
I found the judging to be unfair and/or harsh
I can't afford to enter
I don't see the contests advertised and usually miss the cut-off dates
I don't feel like I would benefit from them
I just don't have time
Other
Have you ever judged a contest?
*
Yes
No
Which contests do you feel are relevant to you? Select all that apply.
*
First Kiss - First Kiss gives you the opportunity to showcase that romantic tension. Enter a 1500-word scene involving your protagonists’ first kiss, plus a half-page set-up.
Ripping Start - Ripping Start is for the first 1,500 words of your romance or romantic elements novel or novella. A great way to hone your hook.
Emerald - The Emerald Award is our major contest for unpublished writers, offering a unique opportunity to have your full manuscript judged if you make the second round. Initial entry is the first 10,000 words of your manuscript.
Sapphire - The Sapphire Award is an opportunity for published authors to have an unpublished manuscript judged by readers before the final three go to a publisher for final judging. The first round is for the first 10,000 words, second and final rounds are for the full manuscript.
Ruby - The Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY) is our contest for published novels and novellas by Australian or New Zealand authors. It includes sections for Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Romantic Elements and Novella.
Sweet Treats - Sweet Treats is for romantic short stories that use the theme as an integral part of the story that have a medium heat level with no sexually explicit scenes. Finalists will have their story published in an RWA anthology.
Spicy Bites - Spicy Bites is for erotic short stories that use the theme as an integral part of the story which have a high heat level with sexually explicit scenes. Finalists will have their story published in an RWA anthology.
Do you feel that contest entries should be limited to people who have not previously won that contest?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Would you like to be advised of contests available in other writing groups (such as RWNZ, RWA (US), State Writing Centres)?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Do you have any other suggestions for our Contests team?
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Communication
Which of the following social media platforms do you use in general? Select all that apply.
*
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Instagram
TikTok
Snapchat
Pinterest
Reddit
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reliable
I don't use social media
Other
Which of the following RWA social media platforms do you regularly engage with? Select all that apply.
*
Facebook page
Facebook community group
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Pinterest
Twitter
None of the above
Other
Where do you go for the latest news about RWA?
*
Website
Blog
Hearts Talk
Facebook page
Facebook community group
Membership specific groups (eg. Aspiring Loop)
Emails from RWA
I'm not sure where to get information from
Do you have any suggestions for the Communications team?
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Hearts Talk
Hearts Talk is the official journal of Romance Writers of Australia. It is delivered as a downloadable/printable PDF to inboxes on the first of every month aside from January. Past issues are also available from the members-only area of the RWA website.
How often do you read Hearts Talk
*
Always
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
If you always or sometimes read Hearts Talk, how do you access it?
From the email link
From the RWA website
From a link in the RWA Facebook community group
From a link in a member-specific group (eg. Aspiring Loop)
Other
If you rarely or never read Hearts Talk, why?
I don't receive it
I forget to read it
It's too long
I'm not interested in the content
I can't find it in my inbox
I don't know how to access it on the website
Which Hearts Talk content do you enjoy? Select all that apply.
Writing craft and how-to articles
Interviews with authors
Coverage of author and reader events
Publishing and other industry news
Conference lead-up coverage
Post-conference coverage
Member new releases
Which of our regular Hearts Talk columns do you enjoy? Select all that apply.
Ask the Anthologist
Editor Chat
Historical Harlots
Inspiration Jumpstart
Legal Beagle
Life in the Indie Lane
Otherworldly Bites
Tips from an Industry Insider
Contest Corner
RWA Academy Courses
President's Column
From Your Editors
Hearts Talk currently issues monthly (with no issue in January). How many issues would you like across the year?
*
I am happy with 11 monthly issues (current format)
I would be happy with a reduction to 6 issues per year (bi-monthly)
I would be happy with a reduction to 4 issues per year (quarterly)
I don't mind
Do you have any other suggestions for our Hearts Talk team?
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Fundraising
Have you ever or would you consider purchasing an RWA Sweet Treats or Spicy Bites anthology?
*
Yes
No
Maybe
Have you ever or would you consider purchasing RWA branded merchandise?
*
Yes
No
Maybe
If no, why not?
If yes, what merchandise? Select all that apply.
T-shirt, hoodie, or other apparel
Mug, travel cup, or water bottle
Notebook
Pen
Milestone pin
Other
Have you ever or would you consider donating to the following member funds?
*
Yes - Members Assistance Fund
Yes - Group Grants Scheme
No
If no, why not?
Do you have any suggestions for RWA fundraising?
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Conference and events
Thank you to those who have already completed the conference survey recently conducted. Now we have a few more general questions around our annual conference and other events we'd like to ask you about.
Which conferences have you recently attended or do you plan to attend in future? Select all that apply.
*
Sydney 2023
Fremantle 2022
Gold Coast 2021
Virtual Conference 2020
Melbourne 2019
None of the above
If you did not attend or do not plan to attend one of the above conferences, why not? Select all that apply.
I wasn't interested in the location
The program didn't appeal to me
The tickets were too expensive
Accommodation was too expensive
Travel was too expensive
Other
Do you like the conference being held in Australian capital cities with access to other tourism options?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Would you support the conference being held in the same city and venue each year? Select all that apply.
*
Yes, if it is easier for the committee to organise
Yes, if it provides a cost saving to members
Yes, other reason
No, because it isn't fair to members in other states
No, because I prefer to travel to other states
No, other reason
Would you support the creation of a permanent conference team of 4-8 volunteers who take care of the core conference aspects each year?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Would you be interested in a payment plan for your conference ticket?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Would you be willing to pay for your own drinks at the Gala Awards Dinner if it means a reduction in ticket costs?
*
Yes
No
I don't mind
Who would you like to see present at future RWA conferences, and what would you like to see them present on?
Which agents and publishers would you like to see taking pitching appointments at conference, either in person or virtually?
Would you be interested in attending any of the following events, either online or held in person near you? Select all that apply.
*
I would attend regional events
I would attend online events
Mini conference
1 day workshop
Half-day workshop
Writing sessions
Networking sessions
Author talks with big name authors
I don't mind
Do you have any other suggestions for the Events team?
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Professional development
How important is it for you to be able to access professional development opportunities through RWA?
*
Not important
1
2
3
4
Very important
5
1 is Not important, 5 is Very important
How satisfied are you with the professional development opportunities RWA provides you?
*
Not satisfied
1
2
3
4
Very satisfied
5
1 is Not satisfied, 5 is Very satisfied
How would you rate your awareness of the RWA Academy?
*
Not aware
1
2
3
4
Very aware
5
1 is Not aware, 5 is Very aware
How many Academy courses (previously called OWLs) have you completed?
*
None
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
20+
What type of Academy courses have you participated in? Select all that apply.
Short course
Self-paced course
One-on-one course
Workshop
Webinar
How satisfied were you with the courses you have participated in?
Not satisfied
1
2
3
4
Very satisfied
5
1 is Not satisfied, 5 is Very satisfied
If you were dissatisfied, why?
If you have not participated in any Academy courses, why not?
Not interested in the topics
Not interested in the presenters
Too expensive
Other
How likely are you to participate in an Academy course in future?
*
Not likely
1
2
3
4
Very likely
5
1 is Not likely, 5 is Very likely
Which presenters and topics would you like to see available as Academy courses in future?
Critique Matchmakers
This program aims to provide members with the opportunity to enjoy virtual ‘speed dates’ with potential critique partners in order to find their perfect match.
How aware are you of the Critique Matchmakers program?
Not aware
1
2
3
4
Very aware
5
1 is Not aware, 5 is Very aware
Have you used Critique Matchmakers?
Yes, and I was successful in finding a critique partner
Yes, but I was unsuccessful in finding a critique partner
No, but I have found a critique partner via other RWA channels
No, but I have found a critique partner outside of RWA
No, and I do not currently have a critique parter
How likely are you to use the Critique Matchmakers program in the next 12 months?
Not likely
1
2
3
4
Very likely
5
1 is Not likely, 5 is Very likely
Mentoring
A suggestion has been made for the establishment of a formal one-on-one mentoring scheme to assist with craft and career development. Time commitment and content would be at the discretion of participants.
Would you be interested in participating in a mentoring program for aspiring unpublished members?
Yes, as a mentor
Yes, as a mentee
No
Would you be interested in participating in a mentoring program for emerging members?
Yes, as a mentor
Yes, as a mentee
No
Do you have any other feedback for the Professional Development team?
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Thank you!
We really do appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into answering these questions. To be entered into the prize draw, please ensure you have entered your name and email address at the beginning of the survey. Please note - this information will only be used for the prize draw and will have no bearing on the survey results. If you have any questions or comments regarding the survey, please get in touch with Louisa at marketing@romanceaustralia.com.
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