You're right, dhaupt, a book is a book is a book: digital, audio, print. Maybe if we start looking at the term 'book' in the same way we've branded 'kleenex,' it would be easier to make the shift in thinking as we move toward more digital publishing. Having written in digital for four years, I know it's been slow going helping folks understand, for instance, the legitimacy of Internet media and non-media bloggers. I remember holding up my cell in meetings and saying, but this is how kids are going to be reading books in a couple years; ignore at your peril. But I understood there was going to be a learning curve, and hung in. That's what we're all doing, and I think the digital authors are looking to slow down the convo at this point, and are thinking about what items they can get on the agenda, rather than how to win the war. -- And I'm looking forward to hanging w/you, too.
Thanks for the heads up, NJ. I'll be sure to look into the information you've provided for, as you say, lots of facts can get lost in the mix. I appreciate the comparison you're making about the Sci Fi/Fantasy group, but, obviously, any pro org has the right to its rules. So perhaps I could find another pro writing group w/different rules from from SFWA, and I'm not sure what that would prove. Is your point that romance authors should be happy that they're allowed into RWA with runs less than that? Maybe you could clarify, please?
I'm not just romance oriented, but romance centric and ridiculously proud to be a member of RWA. Membership has helped me immesurable and in turn I've worked to promote RWA and its author members. I think RWA works so well for the very reason that it's strong at the local level where the yet-to-be-pubbed authors work assiduously to keep the organization vibrant while honing their chops, at the same time the pubbed mentor the YTBPs. It's that very INclusivity of RWA that makes so many of us want to see the digital issue solved through hard work and open exchange of information and ideas.
At the very least, I want to see digital authors allowed to submit their books for RITA awards.There simply is no excuse for not allowing member authors' works published in digital to be considered for our prestigous awards. None whatsoever and, actually, it's kind of shameful that they're excluded. A good story is a good story is a good story.
Oh, Julie, I just wish I'd remembered my camera! Just kidding. You know, I'm with you on the traditional books. Love to hold em, caress them; they are my preciousez. But as we get greener and kids who've known nothing but digital from the womb add their voices to our lives, things necessarily will change. We gotta change w/it. But I pity the e-readers, cause they don't get the joy of the stepback. 
I definitely can do naughty scandalous and decadent -- or at least I can bring you the authors who can.
Sorry to chime in again so late, I was away from my computer.
amyskf, good points all, and Michelle, maybe it DOESN'T matter that other writer organizations are so much more strict about their minimum standards, at least to people who don't write those kinds of books. But looking at the issue globally, those organizations are denying the entire existence of these publishers, while RWA has consistently loosened their standards of recognition and right now, has extremely inclusive policies. I guess I just get peeved that RWA is made out to be EEEEE-VUL when they are the most inclusive and beneficial of any writer's organization in the country.
I am in complete agreement that there are some things RWA can improve (that's always true, of everything, really ) but I think it's really important to keep focus on fact and reality. For some reason, my brain acts like that's its job in any discussion. LOL
