RNA Conference 13; Here are a few of my favourite things …
1.
Arrival
AKA
shooting out of the car after a clammy journey (detouring through Mansfield and
Chesterfield to avoid the nightmare that was the M1, ably chauffeured by author
Sue Moorcroft) in search of a cold shower and a colder drink.
 |
| Jan Jones and Christina Courtenay |
2.
Sheffield Uni Rocks!
… Apart from the broken air con during one of the most scorching weekends
of the year. But it was also modern and spacious, with helpful staff and lovely
student digs to sleep/shower/sing in!
3.
Romantic Novelists Rally (no, not a new F1 team)
So
it was hot, and everyone was melting … but the first day kicked off to a great
start anyway with an opening speech by new Chairman Pia Fenton aka Christina
Courtenay and news of contracts and other reasons to celebrate. This was
followed by wine - mostly consumed outside - and writing pals having a good old
gossip. (For the record I really did intend to be sensible and have one drink,
go to bed early and pace myself. Is it my fault The Romaniacs plied me with
wine and let me sing?)
4. The Usual Suspects
As I was expecting, the weekend
was choc full of:-
A)
Great shoes (I’m almost certain pictures will be
on the blog already)
B)
Bottles of wine
(red, white, rose, whatever)
C)
Lovely outfits (check out the dresses at the
Gala dinner, darling)
D) Fantastic
chat (yes, we write but we can also really
talk)
E)
Loads of laughter (goes without saying)
F)
Sharing of tips/markets/opportunities (we were
there for work after all, and publishing is going through some seismic changes
at the moment so there was lots to confab over)
G) Informative
talks/panels/workshops (where to start? Julie Cohen’s workshop on theme? Janet
Gover’s interactive media session? Carole Blake’s talk about her 50 years in
publishing? I learnt so much).
H) Awards
and contracts (the Elizabeth Goudge went to Choc Lit author Kate Johnson, two
new authors announced as signed to Choc Lit publishing, a new series of short
stories acquired by Harper Impulse … the list goes on)
I)
Helpful 1:1 editor appointments (I wasn’t a
conference virgin as I was at Penrith last year but I still felt pretty nervous
at the prospect of these, but felt suitably rewarded with some lovely, positive
feedback)
J)
Support from all sides (sincere, shared
happiness in each other’s recent writing achievements; urging the unpublished
writers to just keep going; profuse thanks and applause for everyone who
did panels and talks)
- Inspiration, inspiration,
inspiration
Though sad to say goodbye to
everyone and leave (personally I could’ve stayed a week) I was also excited to
get back home and return to the WIP and some submissions. I always feel
re-energised and refocused by the conference … and as I sit here, slightly hung
over, hoarse from talking and very tired from the late nights, I’m already
looking forward to RNAconf14.
 |
| Laura James and Nikki Goodman |
By Nikki Goodman, NWS (4th
year)
4 comments:
Excellent summary, Nikki. It was absolutely fabulous, and great fun :-) xx
Thanks Laura, the conference was brilliant wasn't it?
Still on a high - and writing loads!
Nikki x
Now the chances of me ever making it to an RNA conference are minuscule. I get the feeling it might be like being beaten to death with a feather - BUT - I have enjoyed all the reports you ladies have made, and the photos! You DO seem to have an inordinate interest in a. Shoes and b. Wine. I can certainly go with B.
And most of all, you seem to have an amazing capacity for your subject and for enjoying every facet of it. Good on you all.
JAB - thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment.
It's always a lovely social event and we do love our shoes and wine... However, the business of writing and the publishing industry are always at the heart of what we do so the workshops are always top notch, current and relevant.
Do try and pop along at some point -I promise that if you're a writer you'll get loads out of it.
Nikki :)
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