RWA/NYC PAST PRESIDENT DIES
March 26, 2008 (New York, NY) -- Michael J. Powazinik, 48, a life-long resident of
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, died on Saturday, March 22. Michael was President of the
Romance Writers of America / New York City chapter from 2000-2004. Before
that, he worked at Romantic Times magazine and at Berkley as a publicist,
before founding his own magazine, Romance Forever. Unfortunately the
magazine folded a few years after its launch due to money constraints.
Michael will best be remembered for his exuberance, his great love of European
and British Royalty, and a deep fascination with Princess Diana, Jackie O and
most of the First Ladies. He was a mentor, a friend, a colleague, a brother. After
his parents died, Michael regarded the members of RWA/NYC as his family. His
enthusiasm showed in the joyous manner he greeted members and the many
funny stories he told at the meetings and in his articles.
“Michael is partly the reason I am Chapter President today,” said Elizabeth K.
Mahon, who served as Vice President under Michael. “He pushed and prodded
and encouraged me to run, telling me that no one else could take over his
crown and scepter after him. He was one of my first friends in RWA/NYC.”
Michael is survived by many friends, colleagues and a brother.
Remembering Florence Hershman (aka Diana Haviland, Diana Browning)
Florence began her writing career in 1977 with “The Passionate Pretenders,”
which hit the New York Times’ Bestseller’s List. She would go on to write 15
more historical sagas under the names of Diana Haviland and Diana Browning.
She would receive “Romantic Times” award for “Best Historical Saga” and the
West Coast Review of Books “porgie.” Florence was a charter member of the
RWA/NYC. She lived in New York City with her writer husband and their two
cats. Her last book, Death in the Ladies Mile, was released in March 2006 from
Five Star Press.
March 26, 2008 (New York, NY) -- Michael J. Powazinik, 48, a life-long resident of
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, died on Saturday, March 22. Michael was President of the
Romance Writers of America / New York City chapter from 2000-2004. Before
that, he worked at Romantic Times magazine and at Berkley as a publicist,
before founding his own magazine, Romance Forever. Unfortunately the
magazine folded a few years after its launch due to money constraints.
Michael will best be remembered for his exuberance, his great love of European
and British Royalty, and a deep fascination with Princess Diana, Jackie O and
most of the First Ladies. He was a mentor, a friend, a colleague, a brother. After
his parents died, Michael regarded the members of RWA/NYC as his family. His
enthusiasm showed in the joyous manner he greeted members and the many
funny stories he told at the meetings and in his articles.
“Michael is partly the reason I am Chapter President today,” said Elizabeth K.
Mahon, who served as Vice President under Michael. “He pushed and prodded
and encouraged me to run, telling me that no one else could take over his
crown and scepter after him. He was one of my first friends in RWA/NYC.”
Michael is survived by many friends, colleagues and a brother.
Remembering Florence Hershman (aka Diana Haviland, Diana Browning)
Florence began her writing career in 1977 with “The Passionate Pretenders,”
which hit the New York Times’ Bestseller’s List. She would go on to write 15
more historical sagas under the names of Diana Haviland and Diana Browning.
She would receive “Romantic Times” award for “Best Historical Saga” and the
West Coast Review of Books “porgie.” Florence was a charter member of the
RWA/NYC. She lived in New York City with her writer husband and their two
cats. Her last book, Death in the Ladies Mile, was released in March 2006 from
Five Star Press.
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