Benefits of Joining P.A.S.I.C.

This is more of a post for authors, rather than readers--sorry 'bout that--but being a member of RWA's PAN group was my goal for years and now not so much. I'm a member of PAN and have been since Samhain was (briefly for several months) a RWA recognized Publisher. Okay, admittedly I sent in my application to join the night I received the news that Samhain was recognized.


I didn't join RWA's PASIC (Published Authors Special Interest Chapter) until a little over a year ago. The wonderful JoAnn Ross saw me on MySpace and encouraged me to join. Whoa! A NYT bestselling author encouraged me to join. I messaged her to see if she understood that I was small press/e-published and was assured there was room for published authors who were RWA members. JoAnn was the membership chair at the time and believe me she did a bangup job.


I already belonged to my local chapter, Kiss of Death, so another membership, another fee to join. But guess what--I joined.


PASIC differs from PAN in the fact that it functions like a chapter. Chatting is the norm, but in that chat, I find more industry info than you find anywhere else along with the nitty-gritty of behind-the-scenes. Newbies to publication are encouraged to ask questions, and the wealth of experience and generosity of spirit among the membership is AWESOME.


Not only that, but I'm told the PASIC conference held in NYC every two years is a must attend for agents and editors, and it's very releaxed, unlike Nationals. I haven't attended yet, but it sounds fantastic.


They have a great web site. They hold live industry chats periodically throughout the year with a variety of publishers, editors, and agents. The have a great bookseller database for their members, too.


But the personal interactions whether encouraging an author who has just been orphaned (editor left or line closed) or one suffering through career doubt or health issues are invaluable.


It's a MUST READ loop, unlike so many I delete unread.


Okay, off my soapbox.



Marie-Nicole
http://marienicoleryan.com/