It takes a special RNA member to not only enjoy our party but to go home and write about it for our blog. Thank you, Nikki Moore for your words and images.
If there is one thing I look forward to attending every year
just before Christmas, it’s the RNA Winter Party - and this one didn’t
disappoint. There may have been gusts of wind shaking the trees outside, but
inside the Royal Overseas League it was warm, lively and fun. The wine flowed
and everyone chatted, laughed and caught up with friends old and new while
staff circulated with delightful tasty mini-canapés.
 |
| Welcome! |
What made this Winter Party even better were the first
Industry Awards superbly presented by Adrienne Vaughan, accompanied by glasses
of champagne generously paid for by our lovely RNA President Katie Fforde (we
thank you Katie!)
The runner-up for Bookseller of the Year was Michael Cole,
who sadly couldn’t attend but whose bookshop always has a corner dedicated to
romantic fiction. The winner was the marvellous Matt Bates of WH Smith Travel.
What a great day Wednesday was for him! Giving a very touching speech about his
long love affair with romantic fiction, he praised the RNA for their
dedication, solidarity and passion and gave special thanks to Jenny Haddon and
his mum.
Best Adaptation of a Novel runner-up Jamie Patterson (who
directed Cally Taylor’s Home for
Christmas) gave a witty, sincere speech and explained how he fell in love
with his leading lady. The winner of the award was Debbie Horsfield for her
adaptation of the Poldark series.
Sadly she couldn’t be there due to ill health but her vibrant dialogue and
feisty heroines received praise as well as rousing applause (and cheers for the
gorgeous Aidan, star of the series).
 |
| The Romaniacs |
Katie Fforde made the exciting announcement that next year
the Romance Novel of The Year award in the RoNAs will be
sponsored by bookshop
Goldsboro Books. So thank you to them
for getting on board and providing sponsorship.
 |
| New sponsor |
 |
| Tracy & Elaine |
There wasn’t a single person I spoke to on Wednesday – be it
author, agent or editor – who wasn’t having a great time. As I walked to the
tube with aching feet from standing for hours on end and a sore throat from too
much chatter, the only thought in my head was I can’t wait for the next RNA party...
I hope you can join us!
Thank you, Nikki, for your wonderful words. We too can't wait until the next RNA event.
Would you like to write for the RNA blog? Contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com
15 comments:
I was so sorry to have had to miss the party - the TV interview had been an offer I couldn't refuse - and I've been eagerly awaiting the write-ups to fill me in on what I'd missed. This is the first I've read, and it didn't disappoint. Many thanks, Nikki, for such an interesting account of the Industry Award presentations, and thank you, too, Elaine, for not making me have to wait too long.
Sorry you couldn't attend Liz, but glad you enjoyed the post and I hope the interview went well :) Hope to see you at an RNA event soon x
Great write up, thank you Nikki! The Industry Awards were a truly feel-good event, it was a fabulous night. Anna Scamans
My thanks to everyone involved. I'm sorry I didn't see you for a catch up Nikki (and sorry to everyone else I missed). It was a fun evening. Gillix
Reading about it only reinforced what a wonderful evening it was. Thank you, Nikki. I'm still not sure how you managed to balance a glass in one hand, a canape in the other, a camera (on your nose?) and something to record your notes, but you've managed to bring the joy and excitement right into the blog.
Superb write-up, Nikki, and thank you for your kind words regarding the Romaniacs. It was a fantastic evening - really buzzing and full of energy.
May I take this opportunity to thank the RNA and the Awards organisers for our Media Star Award and for the support and friendship of this fabulous association. And thank you to Sally Quilford and her team for putting on such an excellent event. x
I was so sorry to have missed the party. Thanks for the write-up, Nikki, and congratulations to all the winners!
A lovely account of a great night. Thank you Nikki.
Congratulations to all those short listed and in receipt of awards. As must have been clear from the audience reaction, very well deserved in all cases.
Great organisation too, as you say Laura. In fact my only cavil is that I didn't talk to as many people as I wanted to. Still that's always the case and when you realise that you're falling over when you start to wave at a passing friend, it's a pretty good indicator that it's time to Go Home.
Great night Nikki! Lovely to see you again and fellow RNA members. We are so lucky!
Great night Nikki! Lovely to see you again and fellow RNA members. We are so lucky!
Thank you for this great write up, Nikki and for all the kind words. A party is only as good as the people who attend it, so thank you all for bringing your lovely smiles and enthusiasm.
Great write up! And a wonderful evening.
So glad everyone enjoyed the write-up; it really was a fantastic night and I'm still recovering!
Nikki x
Sounds a wonderful event. Thanks for sharing some highlights for those of us who weren't there!
Thank you again, Nikki, for writing this up for the blog.Much appreciated xxx
Post a Comment