FOCUS ON: The South and West Wales Chapter

It's a great pleasure to welcome the South and West Wales Chapter today. Michaela Weaver has very kindly dropped in to speak to Jean Fullerton about their meetings.

Welcome, Kaela! 

How long has your chapter been running, Kaela?

It's been running in different formats for over fifteen years!

How often do you meet?

Currently we have monthly meetings scheduled, but we may revise this to quarterly.

Where is your regular meeting place?

We meet in Cardiff and Swansea

How many members attend your meetings?

We are expanding our group. We have 19 members in our Facebook Group. Meetings are normally attended by 5-10 members.

Do your meetings include a meal?

As people are travelling a distance, meetings are held with an optional lunch. The Swansea meeting is at Morgan's Hotel and includes a two-course lunch

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

We are open to established authors who are non-RNA members, and those considering the NWS are welcome to attend a taster meeting

How long are your meetings?

They typically last from 12-2.30 or 3pm

Can you give an outline of speakers/guests you've had in the past year?

I have just taken over as lead for this Chapter. Hazel Cushion is running a workshop/talk in March on Author Marketing. We hope to have regular speakers from now on.

What do you have planned for 2017?

We have monthly meetings scheduled right through the year. These can be found on our Facebook Group. Anyone in the RNA is welcome to join the group.

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special?

As we are a Welsh Chapter I have to say, the 'hwyl' which is Welsh for fun!

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?

We have a Facebook Goup

Who is the contact for new members?

I'm the contact, and new members can contact me at kaela_weaver@btopenworld.com

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RNASWWales/

Thanks so much for joining us, Kaela. Wishing you and your members much 'hwyl' at the next meeting!

About Jean:

Jean was born in East End of London and spent all her career as a district nurse in East London but is now a full-time writer. Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie, is her current release. Her next novel Pocketful of Dreams, set in the turbulent years of WW2, is due for release in June 2017 and is the first in next East London series.

Her first series with Orion Fiction was set in the Victorian period after which she jumped forward to post-war East London.

She is a proud graduate from the NWS and passionate about the local chapters, which is why she has taken on the role of Chapters Liaison. 

This blog was prepared by blog team member, Helena Fairfax

FOCUS ON: Reading Chapter

We welcome Jean Fullerton with this month's focus on RNA Chapters

Today I'm talking to Julie Roberts of the Reading Chapter.

How long has your chapter been running, Julie?

I do not know. I took over as co-ordinator in March 2014 from Julie Cohen

How often do you meet?

3^rd Wednesday of each month. We do not meet July and August.  

Where is your regular meeting place?

Great Expectations pub, 33, London Street, Reading, RG1 4PS  

How many members attend your meetings?

On average 8 – 10. Although if all members came is could be 16. And I am happy to say we are increasing our membership each year

Do your meetings include a meal?

Yes. The menu caters from a filled sandwich or roll to a full plated lunch.

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

Yes. Providing they are writing within the RNA genre

How long are your meetings?

We start at 12.30. There is no set finishing time.

Can you give an outline of speakers/guests you’ve had in the past year?

We have had no speakers/guests. However, each month a topic of writing interest is scheduled into the meeting. Eg:  middle novel blues, the power of settings.

What do you have planned for 2017?

Valentine’s Day writing workshop, continue our monthly sessions.

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special?

Great Expectations’ is within easy walking distance of the railway station, buses and the Queens Road or Oracle car parks. We use the Library Room at GE which has a setting ideal for writers. The food is good and reasonably priced. We have a camaraderie that has built over time and will continue so into the future. Reading Chapter encourages members of the RNA - NWS to join us. This also includes non-members interested in writing romantic novels. We are a group of individuals who have become friends.

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?

No.

Who is the contact for new members?

Julie Roberts. Email: jurb839@aol.com

Thanks so much for joining us, Julie!

About Jean:

Jean was born in East End of London and spent all her career as a district nurse in East London but is now a full-time writer. Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie, is her current release. Her next novel Pocketful of Dreams, set in the turbulent years of WW2, is due for release in June 2017 and is the first in next East London series. 

Her first series with Orion Fiction was set in the Victorian period after which she jumped forward to post-war East London.

She is a proud graduate from the NWS and passionate about the local chapters, which is why she has taken on the role of Chapters Liaison. 

This blog was prepared by blog team member, Helena Fairfax