Bronwyn Parry

Yesterday I wrote to the President of the Romance Writers of America to express my dismay at the awarding of a VIVIAN™ award to an intensely problematic book in the Religious/Spiritual Elements category, and at the RWA’s response to it.

Earlier yesterday, the president, LaQuette, released a statement, which, although expressing remorse for any hurt caused and advising that processes would be reviewed, was significantly inadequate and even insulting both to readers and authors who write romances in which faith is an integral part by stating that only a very specific sub-set of Christian belief is relevant to that category, which is in fact contrary to the judging guidelines for that category.

I am a secular humanist and a historian as well as a novelist. I am willing to accept that it might be possible (in theory a least) for a person who has been an active participant in genocide to earn, through a lifetime of service, some kind of forgiveness or redemption – although that would take an exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and sensitive author to write, and is unlikely to be possible within a romance framework, despite the genre’s love of redeeming bad boys.

However, in my view, in this particular book that idea of redemption is extreme, is presented within a clearly racist perspective, and without any comprehension of or sensitivity to the perspectives of indigenous people. In its opening pages the book relates an event in history that has created ongoing trauma for generations, and it does so without regard for historical accuracy or complexity, in order to center a white man’s story and his religion at the expense of indigenous people.

As authors, we have a responsibility to respect our readers and our communities. As authors of historical fiction, we must recognise that history is complex and layered with multiple perspectives, and that the dominant white perspectives of colonialism have been intensely problematic and must be interrogated.

I believe that particular book did neither, and it should not have finaled, let alone won a VIVIAN™ award. That it did so brings the RWA and the genre into disrepute. That the award has now been rescinded does not undo that damage.

I had high hopes for the VIVIAN™ award and the strategies for cultural change that the RWA Board have put in place over the past two years. I was pleased when my judging packets contained more diverse books than in the past, as evidence that authors of color and from diverse backgrounds were entering the contest. I did my best to judge all the books objectively and fairly, on their merits with regard to writing, characterisation, story-telling etc. My packet included several excellent books with diverse characters.

I had concerns when all four finalists in the long historical romance category (including my book) were white women writing heterosexual characters. The other finalists are skilled writers and authors I respect, but where were the great books by authors of colour? Where were the great books with diverse characters, settings, perspectives?

Now, given the awarding of the VIVIAN™ in the religious elements category to such a problematic book, I no longer have any faith that the judging process was fair and equitable across the historical categories either, and I fear that books from diverse authors or featuring diverse characters were not assessed without prejudice.

I acknowledge the hard work and commitment that the RWA Board members have put into rebuilding the organisation, and I recognise that the systemic issues that plague the RWA are a microcosm of the issues plaguing the USA – and I acknowledge that my own country, Australia, suffers similar issues. There are no easy answers, but I strongly feel that the VIVIAN™ award for that particular book was a major error on the part of the organisation, and points to the likelihood of continued systemic bias and racism across other categories as well.

I am saddened to say that I now regret entering the VIVIAN™ awards and I cannot feel that it is an honour to be a finalist this year. I will not be entering again in the future, unless or until characters of colour and diversity and their authors are recognised and celebrated fully and equally.

Although there is little to be done now about my entry, I have asked the President to ensure that my book and name are removed from the list of finalists on the RWA website. I will be deleting social media posts about being a finalist and will not reference it again with regard to my book.

I sincerely hope that these issues can be resolved and that the VIVIAN™ award can evolve to truly honour the influence of Vivian Stephens on the genre, and to represent and celebrate the diversity of romance fiction, and of its authors and readers.

I’ve (finally!) set up a bookstore for my print books: https://bronwyn-parry-bookstore.square.site/

Postage is to Australian addresses only. You can use the coupon code XMAS10 for 10% off until this Friday, 18th December. Please note that as I’m in rural NSW, add an extra couple of days for postage times – so if you’d like to order a book to arrive in time for Christmas, please order by Wednesday 16th for the best chance. I’ll also be away from 21st December until around the 6th January.

Apologies to my international readers – unfortunately overseas postage is way too expensive to offer. However, you can purchase my books through Book Depository, Amazon, and other online booksellers. And the good news is there will be US editions of the Dungirri and Goodabri books available early next year.