Browne Popular Culture Library

Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The records of the Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America were donated to the Browne Popular Culture Library in 1997 by Denise Koch, with additional donations made in 1998, 2000 and 2001 by Joyce Lane. The collection has no restrictions placed on its use for scholarly purposes. Researchers are responsible for securing copyright permission when using all published and unpublished works found in this collection.

This finding aid was prepared by Mary Koslovsky in February 2006.

Agency History

The Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America (MVRWA) is local chapter Number 126 of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) that meets in and around Toledo, Ohio. RWA is an international professional organization dedicated to furthering the interests of career-minded romance writers through networking and support. The benefits of membership include opportunities to attend the annual national conference, regional and local workshops, fellowship with other writers and many special interest chapters. Topics of interest to the MVRWA chapter include writing contests, locating a literary agent, submitting manuscripts to publishers, negotiating publishing contracts, and promoting sold work.

Scope and Content

The records of the Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America comprise one cubic foot and document the membership and activities of the organization from 1995-2000. Organizational files (approximately .25 cu ft.) include a few pages of meeting minutes, membership lists, agendas, and correspondence, but the amount is not significant. A more complete series is the club newsletter, "The Maumee Valley Report" which gives a better idea of club interests and activities for the years 1997-2000. The club sponsors a contest, "He Said--She Said", and documents are present from the 1998-2000 contest years.

During the years 1996-1998 and 2000, the MVRWA and Bowling Green State University's Popular Culture Library sponsored two conferences, "Re-reading the Romance" and "Romance in the New Millennium." Files (approximately .25 cu ft.) documenting this activity are especially significant since they provide insights into the development of a romance writers' archives at BGSU's Browne Popular Culture Library, during the tenure of head librarian Dr. Alison Scott.

The collection is completed by two manuscripts (.5 cu ft.) written by Adrienne de Wolfe.

Series Description

Proceedings

Minutes

1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 (scattered dates)

Arranged chronologically

May include bylaws, agendas, chapter meeting minutes, executive board minutes, and officers' meeting minutes.

Member List

1998

No arrangement

Includes list of members of Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America, Chapter #126

Correspondence

Correspondence

1997 and 2000

Arranged chronologically

Letter and emails from Denise Koch (President) to members and one email from the MVRWA moderator

Reports

Treasurer's Report

1998

Arranged chronologically

Year-end financial reports

Subject Files

Topic: Contest--He Said - She Said

1998-2000

Arranged chronologically

Includes information documenting this annual writing contest.

Topic: Popular Culture Library

1989, 1990

Articles and brochure about the Popular Culture Library.

Topic: Conference Files

1996, 2000 (scattered)

Arranged chronologically

Files can contain minutes, correspondence, fact sheets, financial documents, publicity, programs, and photographs. These materials document two conferences that were sponsored by the Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America and BGSU's Popular Culture Library entitled, "Rereading the Romance" and "Romance in the New Millennium.".

Topic: Romance Writers of America Association

1996-1998

No arrangement

Includes information about state and local chapter contests and conferences. Filed following conference information.

Topic: Publishers' catalogs, fliers

1994-1999

No arrangement

Includes booklists and promotional material. Filed following conference information.

Literary Productions

Manuscripts

1996, n.d.

Arranged chronologically

Complete manuscript for a novel, Texas Lover and portion of a novel, Texas Wildcat by Adrienne de Wolfe. Also includes a dust jacket autographed by the author. Filed following chapter records.

Printed Material

Newsletters

Maumee Valley Report

1997-2000

Arranged chronologically

Chapter newsletter of the MVRWA. Filed following reports.

Photographic Material

Photographs

1997-2000, n.d.

No arrangement

Photographs of people (unidentified) at chapter activities. Filed following subject files.

Inventory

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