About ROSA
About
Your Creative Hub for Romance Writing Excellence
Empowering Romance Writers Across Southern Africa
The Romance Writers Organisation of South Africa (ROSA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven professional association dedicated to supporting, developing, and promoting romance writers across Southern Africa.
Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established author, ROSA provides a collaborative space to grow your craft, connect with like-minded creatives, and thrive in the publishing industry.
Our Chapters & Community
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Pretoria
All events are posted in the ROSA Announcements WhatsApp group, however, local chapters allow fellow writers to connect with each other. Should you wish to be added to a local chapter WhatsApp group, please send an email to membership@romancewriters.co.za
Our Mission
ROSA is a professional association of romance writers which aims to:
Provide support, encouragement and professional development to romance writers, especially to writers resident in Southern Africa and/or of South African descent.
Enhance and promote the diverse range of romantic fiction, and to encourage and reward good writing within the genre.
Support writers of romantic fiction, from beginners to successfully published authors, through networking, information, resources, an online community and local meetings.
Act as ambassadors for the genre of romantic fiction within Southern Africa.
Our History
ROSA is a volunteer‑run, non‑profit professional association founded in 2014, with Executive Committee members elected annually before the September AGM.
Originally created as a Yahoo group in 2010 by Romy Sommer and Mandy Verbaan, ROSA grew rapidly and formalised as an NPO to host its first conference in 2014.
Today, ROSA has active chapters in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, with members across South Africa, neighbouring countries, and abroad.
Alongside chapter meetings, we host conferences, writing retreats, awards, mentorship programmes, and maintain a vibrant online community for member connection and support.
We welcome writers at every stage—traditionally published, indie, or unpublished – across all genres.
If you’d like to volunteer with ROSA, please contact us.
What each Chapter Offers:
- ROSA operates through local chapters, providing writers with opportunities to connect in person and online.
- Regular meetings and workshops
- Guest speakers and industry insights
- Networking opportunities
- Peer support and critique groups
In addition to local chapters, ROSA maintains a strong online community, ensuring members across South Africa and abroad can stay connected.
Events | Programs | Opportunities
ROSA provides a variety of initiatives designed to support writers at every level; these opportunities are designed to foster growth..
- Conferences & Writing Retreats: Engage with industry professionals, attend workshops, and sharpen your skills in immersive environments.
- Mentorship Programs: Gain guidance from experienced authors and publishing professionals.
- Writing Awards: Celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding contributions to the romance genre.
- Online Resources & Community: Access tools, discussions, and support through our active digital platforms.
Rosa Writer Members
Chapters in S.A
Books Published
New Members per Year
Guidelines for Chapter Leaders
Only registered members of ROSA who are in good standing may lead ROSA chapters.
Chapter leader duties include:
- Maintain a contact list / mailing list of all interested writers in your region.
- Arrange regular meetings (we recommend at least 4 per year) and send out notices to all on your contact list in advance of these meetings.
- Add the event on the members’ only Facebook group Events page
- Send info on the events to admin@romancewriters.co.za to be included in ROSA newsletters.
- Balance social events with events that encourage writers to seriously pursue their writing, in line with ROSA’s goal of professional development.
- Encourage sharing of learning and information between members, also in line with ROSA’s guideline of professional development.
- Encourage membership by offering special benefits / discounts to ROSA members. Liaise with Membership Administrator if in doubt.
- Ensure that at least some events during the year are affordable for those on lower incomes, to prevent the organisation being seen as exclusive and unwelcoming.
- Celebrate publications and milestones of writers within the group.
- Encourage members to submit blog posts and articles to ROSA blog and newsletter, and encourage social media sharing of events / photos.
- Send quarterly feedback on your chapter to newsletter@romancewriters.co.za
- Manage differences of opinion within the group without (hopefully) alienating or marginalizing anyone. ROSA is accepting of all writers at all stages in their career, whether published or unpublished, traditionally published or self-published. While we know it’s impossible, try to ‘be all things to all people.
- Report possible Code of Conduct issues within your chapter to the ROSA Ethics Committee on conduct@romancewriters.co.za
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Chapters:
Cape Town | Johannesburg | PretoriaÂ
Email: admin@romancewriters.co.za
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