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After a few fledgling attempts, the Prairieland Romance Writers officially
came into being on September 27, 1992. That’s when its first meeting was
held at the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Although only a handful of individuals attended, their enthusiasm
and interest was enough to convince the group’s founder, Sherry Siwinski,
a.k.a. Sherry James,
that PRW was here to stay. Sherry,
a bookseller by trade—but a book writer at heart—was determined to see
the small group flourish.
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Out going PRW President,
Julie Miller, passes the gavel to new President, Sue Baumann. |
And
flourish it did. In October
of 1995, the Prairieland Romance Writers became a Chapter of Romance
Writers of America. And
although its numbers still remain relatively small today, there is among
it a vast pool of talent. Fifteen years after its inception, PRW can boast of
having eight published authors as well as a plethora of creative and
contest-winning achievers among its membership.
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Julie Miller, one of the group’s founding members, was the first to get
published. Her book, Immortal Heart,
a paranormal romance about a computer genius and a hero suffering from an
ancient curse, was published by Leisure Books in 1997. Since then, Julie has
written and sold thirty books for Harlequin and Leisure
including her very popular Taylor Clan, and Precinct series. In addition to being a
Golden Heart finalist, Julie was also the recipient of the prestigious
Daphne Du Maurier award for best romantic suspense, a National Readers'
Choice Award Winner, and a finalist for the Romantic Times BOOKreviews
Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Suspense. |
PRW IT (Incentive Tool)
Winners for 2005. (l-r) Julie Miller, Sherry James, Noelle
Ptomey and Heidi Aken.
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PRW's 2005 Christmas
Party. (l-r) Kathleen Pieper, Sherry James, Julie Miller, Kristin Gabriel/Eckhardt, Sue Lessor, Sue Baumann and Brenda
Gale.
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Also in 1997, another one of PRW’s members, Kristin Eckhardt, who
writes as Kristin Gabriel, sold her first book Bullets
Over Boise, to Harlequin. The story was later sold and made
into a Cinemax movie entitled Recipe
for Revenge. Since
then, Kris has sold twenty-eight books and has twice been
awarded the RITA® for Best Traditional novel, one of the highest awards
given to romance writers. |
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PRW
is proud to have six other published writers among its ranks. Founding
member Kathleen Pieper has written four Young Adult romances for Avalon books
and has brought to the group the first-hand knowledge of selling to a New York
based publishing house.
Sherry James, also a founding member and PRW's first President, sold her
first book in June of 2006 after pursing her goal of publication for 19
years. Studs for Hire: Woman on Top sold to Black
Velvet Seductions and was released in October of 2006. Just four
months after selling that first book, James sold her second book to
Ellora's Cave.
Cowboy Fling will be released in 2007.
Cynthia Rutledge/Cindy
Kirk, who writes for Silhouette, Love Inspired, and Avon, has sold more than
15 books, including The
Marrying Kind, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and Wedding
Bell Blues, a Romantic
Times BOOKclub Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best Love Inspired 2002.
She writes primarily under the name Cindy Kirk these days and her first
book for Avon, When She Was Bad, is a July 2007 release.
Pam
Crooks found early success with her first novel, Wyoming
Wildflower, when the book was
selected as an Affaire de Coeur 2001 Reader Poll finalist. And Pam's April 2002
release, Hannah's Vow, was a Romantic
Times BOOKclub Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best Western Historical
Romance. These days she continues to write Western Historicals for
Harlequin Books.
One
of our newer members, Robin L. Rotham, sold her first book in 2006 to
Ellora's Cave as a result of a contest. Alien Overnight
will be published in 2007.
Elizabeth Parker sold her first book, Gilded Splendor, to
Leisure Books. She is currently pursuing further publication.
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Although
there are many benefits to belonging to a writer’s group, one of PRW’s
greatest strengths is the support and encouragement each of its members
shows for the other. Said Ms.
James, “The talent within PRW is immense. It’s because of that
talent and the support we give each other that so many members have gone
on to know such great success.” She
noted that whether a writer has met success or is still in search of that
mark, they are equally encouraged to write the story that’s inside of
them.
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Kristin Gabriel/Eckhardt and Julie
Miller celebrate Kristin's second RITA® win for Best Traditional Romance,
July 2000, in Washington D.C. |
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It
is said that writing is an isolating business. For members of the
Prairieland Romance Writers, many of who live miles apart, the
brainstorming, critiquing and networking they enjoy at their monthly
meetings offer a land bridge that lessens that isolation. As the years
unfold and the group evolves, one thing remains certain. The Prairieland
Romance Writers can certainly be proud of the strong spirit and creative
gift that has made this small but mighty Chapter shine.
Here's to another great 15 Years! |
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Over the past fifteen years
PRW authors have accomplished much as a collective whole. This Small
but Mighty chapter is proud of these milestone achievements and hope
for many more during the next fifteen years!
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 PRW
authors have been finalists in 53 contests.
PRW
authors have won 19 contests.
PRW
authors have written 150 novels.
PRW
authors have sold 96 novels.
One
PRW author has won the RITA ® Award twice.
One
PRW author has been a finalist for the National Readers' Choice
Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, Romantic Times BOOKreviews
Award, PRISM Award, Golden Quill Award, and the Write Touch
Readers Award more than once.
One
PRW author had their first book made in to a movie for
television.
Two
PRW authors have more than 1 Million copies of their books in
print!
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"PRW has
helped bring writing as a profession within reach."---Robin L.
Rotham |
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Featured
Books of the Month!
A Wing and a
Prayer by Kristin Eckhardt.
At Your
Command by Julie Miller.
In the market for
a good book? Shop Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com directly
from this site! |
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