This story has the makings of a soap opera, albeit not a romantic one.
Best selling romance novelist Courtney Milan has been suspended from the Romance Writers of America after she accused other romance novelists of racism.
According to TheWrap, Milan accused fellow authors Suzan Tisdale and Kathryn Lynn Davis of racism. One tweet called Davis’ 1999 romance novel Somewhere Lies the Moon a “f—ing racist mess.”
The RWA unanimously suspended Milan , a former board member, after Tisdale and Davis filed formal complaints. That sparked a backlash and the hashtag #IStandWithCourtney.
Some supporters of Milan went so far as to resign their memberships from the Romance Writers of America, reported the New York Post.
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“I resigned from RWA,” author Alyssa Day tweeted on Christmas Eve. “Allowing racists to weaponize RWA’s Code of Ethics against someone calling out that racism goes against everything a code of ethics stands for, and this result is appallingly and profoundly wrongheaded. I’m done.”
“I’m sure RWA thought delivering this news right before the holidays would blunt its reach and it’s like SURPRISE BITCHES WE CAN BE MAD AND WRAP, ” Alisha Rai added.
The Post is now reporting that RWA is now appearing to back off from its decision, sending this letter to Milan: “Dear Courtney, at a meeting today that identified a gap between policy and progress, RWA’s Board of Directors rescinded its vote accepting the findings of the Ethics Committee report and its consequent penalties against Courtney Milan pending a legal opinion. RWA reiterates its support for diversity, inclusivity and equity and its commitment to provide an open environment for all members.”
The decision appears to be temporary pending a legal opinion. Stand by for the next chapter into this saga.
Milan identifies as both Chinese and White. Milan is her pen name. Her real name is Heidi Bond. She is also a lawyer who has clerked for Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy.
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