SEPTEMBER RELEASES

September brings a fruitful harvest of members’ new publications. Thank you to Sheila Riley for collating this amazing list of books.

                   

TRADITIONAL PUBLICATIONS

ANNA JACOBS

Saffron Lane

Hardback and E-book

Family/relationship fiction

Allison & Busby

21st September

Nell has come to feel very at home in her beautiful corner of Wiltshire with her partner Angus. What she could do with, however, is a challenge, and the prospect of bringing life back to an abandoned row of 1930s houses in Saffron Lane is just what she's looking for. Formerly used by the Government during WW2 and not returned till long after the war ended, they haven’t been touched since except to keep them weatherproof. She decides to start an artists’ colony with a gallery/café in one house to attract customers and bring in money to do the maintenance on their listed home.

One of the first artists to gain a residency is Stacy, lost and alone after a divorce she didn't see coming and trying her best to start over. The other is Elsa who is 76 and is battling her nieces who would force her into residential care. She needs to sell her large family home and longs for a new one where she can get back to her new career as an artist, with her paintings just beginning to sell.

When all their paths cross, the future starts to look brighter although not all goes according to plan. There is a big surprise waiting for them in one house and there are people in town who would rather knock down the old houses and put up a modern development.

KATHERINE GARBERA

Summer In Manhattan

Contemporary

E-Book and Paperback

HarperImpulse

21st September

When Cici Johnson falls for the charms of American big shot Rich Maguire, their drunken one night stand results in an unexpected pregnancy. Rich wants nothing to do with the baby or Cici, but she's determined to give their child the love of two parents on her own. Jason Hooper's spent his whole life wondering what family really means. In and out of the foster care system, he never gets too close to anyone; just in case they walk away. But then he meets Cici and he feels as if he's finally home. For both of them, the summer they share in Manhattan couldn't be sweeter. If only he'll let his guard down, Hoop's own happy-ever-after might not be make-believe anymore

ANNIE BURROWS

The Major Meets His Match

Romance

Paperback and E-book

Harlequin/Mills & Boon

September 

Wastrel, rebel, layabout…just a few of the names Lord Becconsall has hidden his quick intellect and sharp wit behind over the years. Recently titled, ex-military and required to wed, Jack views ton ladies with a cynical eye… Until he falls upon–quite literally–Lady Harriet Inskip.

  

ZARA STONELEY

Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage

E-book and paperback

Harper Collins, HarperImpulse

22nd September

As the lazy days of summer ebb away and the hedgerows fill with rich, plump blackberries, Lucy Jacobs couldn't be happier.  She's feeling more and more at home in the small village of Langtry Meadows and has fallen in love with idyllic Jasmine cottage - not to mention gorgeous vet Charlie. But just as Lucy is thinking about putting down roots like the blackberries that grow in her garden, Charlie's ex returns and threatens to put a thorn in their perfect life...

SARAH MALLORY

Pursued for the Viscount's Vengeance

Paperback & E-book      

Mills & Boon

17th August

Viscount Gilmore believes ruining Deb Meltham is the only way to be revenged upon her brother. Not seducing her beyond repair, of course, he is not lost to all sense of honour. However, Gil hasn't counted on his feelings for Deb changing - nor her reaction when she realises he has been deceiving her from the start. Instead of shaming Deb, he finds himself risking his own life to save her.

KATHLEEN MCGURL

The Girl from Ballymor

Dual timeline/timeslip

Paperback and E-book

HQ

7th September

What would you sacrifice for your children?

Ballymor, Ireland, 1847

As famine grips the country Kitty McCarthy is left widowed and alone. Fighting to keep her two remaining children alive against all odds, Kitty must decide how far she will go to save her family.

Present day

Arriving in Ballymor, Maria is researching her ancestor, Victorian artist Michael McCarthy – and his beloved mother, the mysterious Kitty who disappeared without a trace. Running from her future, it’s not only answers about the past that Maria hopes to find in Ireland. As her search brings her closer to the truth about Kitty’s fate, Maria must make the biggest decision of her life.

  

MARGARET MOUNSDON

Island Magic

People's Friend Pocket Novel

Romantic Adventure

21st September

Vanessa Blake's sister Michelle asks her to take her place as dance hostess on a private yacht owned by the Petucci family, then promptly disappears. When an expensive ring goes missing on the yacht Vanessa realises she is high on the list of suspects. Taking refuge on the island of Santa Agathe she thinks she is safe until a valuable painting by local artist Severino, with whom Vanessa is staying, is stolen. 

Can Vanessa trust security chief Lorenzo Talbot to help prove her innocence or is he working off his own agenda?

JUNE DAVIES

As the Four Winds Blow

Paperback

Family / Romantic Suspense

F.A.Thorpe

1^st September

Isobel Blundell isn’t looking forward to her special birthday. 

Her archaeologist husband, Douglas, is in South America and she and their three children miss him sorely. On Isobel’s birthday, her mother, Ailsa, and sisters Kirsty and Dorrie travel to the Yorkshire Dales and join the family at Chimneys, their old brownstone house on the banks of Ferneys Beck. During the birthday celebrations, Ailsa presents Isobel with Douglas’s gift – an airline ticket! Overjoyed, Isobel sets off for a holiday with him at the dig. But heartache, danger, conflict and tragedy lie ahead for the whole family – Those at home, as well as Isobel and Douglas in Castildoro...

E-BOOKS

GEORGIA HILL

Christmas Weddings (Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café Book 3)

E-book

rom-com

Harper Impulse

29^th September

Cupcakes, Christmas and secret kisses. For fans of sweet romance.

JULIA IBBOTSON

The Old Rectory: Escape to a country kitchen

memoir/history food/cookery

E-Book & paperback

Endeavour Press

24^th August

"Written with her trademark wit and honesty" 

This memoir/recipe book/history of cooking documents falling in love with a house and the Victorian/post-Victorian kitchen.

SHERYL BROWNE

After She’s Gone – (Book 1 in the DI Matthew Adams thriller series)

Choc Lit (Death by Choc Lit imprint)

5th September

He’s killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do? 

There’s evil and then there’s Patrick Sullivan. A drug dealer, pimp and murderer, 

there are no depths to which Patrick would not sink, and Detective Inspector Matthew Adams has found this out in the most devastating way imaginable. When Patrick’s brother is shot dead in a drug bust gone wrong, the bitter battle between the two men intensifies, and Matthew finds it increasingly difficult to hold the moral high ground. 

All he wants is to make the pimping scum suffer the way he did … the way Lily did.

But being at war with such a depraved individual means that it’s not just Matthew who’s in danger. Patrick has taken a lot from Matthew, but he hasn’t taken everything – and now he wants everything. 

SHERYL BROWNE

Deadly Intent – (Book 3 in the DI Matthew Adams thriller series)

E-book

Choc Lit (Death by Choc Lit imprint)

5th September

What if you and your family were at the mercy of a psychopath/a man with no conscience? Just when DI Matthew Adams thinks he’s left the past behind him, it comes back to haunt him once again; this time in the form of the Conner family. 

Like Matthew, the Conners have lost a child in tragic circumstances – and they’ve also found themselves in the hands of one of the most depraved criminals to walk the streets: ‘Dead-eyed’ Charlie Roberts, a drug addicted low-life with a penchant for extreme violence. Matthew’s greatest affinity lies with Daniel Conner, the brooding father who still blames himself for his youngest child’s death. But when Daniel’s wife and daughter are tortured and tormented by Roberts, can Matthew prevent him from completely ruining his own life for an act of revenge particularly when, once upon a time, that’s exactly what Matthew would have done too?  

SILVIA FORRESTER

Your Move

Romantic comedy

Endeavour Press
September

Two women. Two dreams. One big lesson in love.

With a passion for people and property, nothing gives newbie estate agent Gemma Cole more pleasure than matching buyers with their ideal homes. After a nomadic childhood with her ditzy mum, Gemma longs for nothing more than a pplace she can call her own. But with one modest income and meagre savings, will she ever be able to make her own home-owning dream come true? When Marcus, the new photographer, arrives at the estate agency, he’s the epitome of laid-back, festival chic. Sexy, laid back, festival chic. But Gemma dismisses him as another commitment-phobic, eternal student, just like her ex. However, looks can be deceptive. Marcus is reeling from a shocking family tragedy, one that’s left him as sole carer for an eight-year-old boy, as well as his scruffy dog. Will Gemma revise her opinion of Marcus, and will he trust her enough to reveal his family’s painful past? Pandora works at Perfect 10, a premier beauty and cosmetic clinic. Always effortlessly glamorous – with model-looks, bucketloads of confidence and bulging designer wardrobes – she appears to have it all. But Pan also has a spiralling spending addiction, a string of failed relationships, and still lives at home with her mum. Aged thirty-three. When her numerous credit cards are refused, Pan takes drastic action and joins dating website MillionaireMen.com. Will a super-wealthy guy be the answer to all Pan’s woes? And can she find one who’s sane, honest and not old enough to be her grandfather? Your Move is a lively romantic comedy, charting the blossoming friendship between modern heroines Gemma and Pandora, as well as the amorous entanglements that crisscross both their lives.

SUSAN WILLIS

The Girl In The Dark

Romantic suspense

E-book

Endeavour Press

30^th September 

When Kim goes to old friend, Sidney’s, photography studio to start a new food styling contract she meets his new assistant, Alex. Kim is catapulted from her mournful existence into an explosive romantic relationship with Alex. 

Sidney, however, is wary. He thinks, there’s something not quite right about Alex, and urges caution. Will Kim look back and wish she’d listened?

ELISABETH HOBBES

Redeeming the Rogue Knight

Medieval romance

E-book

Mills & Boon 

1^st September

The spy who sought refuge…

When injured spy Sir Roger Danby comes asking for shelter at her inn, Lucy Carew is wary. He may be strikingly handsome, but the disgraced single mother has learnt the hard way with men like him. Against her better judgement, she gives him refuge.

Sir Roger has never been at the mercy of a woman before, and he’s never met one as mysterious and bewitching as Lucy. He hasn't come looking for redemption, but Lucy is a woman who could reach in and touch his closely guarded heart.

Except for her infant son, Lucy has had enough of men and their sweet words, but there is something different about Roger and it might just be worth the risk to give into his love…

INDIE PUBLISHED

THE MAGNOLIA GIRLS (book 3, the Magnolia Creek Series)

Helen J Rolfe

Women's fiction

E-book

Indie published

14th September

Fall in love with Magnolia Creek, the small town that draws you in and refuses to let you go ... 

Carrie has it all: a stellar career, a gorgeous heart-surgeon boyfriend, and an apartment in the city. But when something happens that forces her to question her ability to do her job, the only way she can see through the mess is to get far away from everything. Carrie is thrust into a very different life in Magnolia Creek. She’s knee-deep in renovations at her house at the top of the hill; she’s sharing time and space with her ex, Owen; and newcomer, Noah, gets under her skin from day one. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Lachlan, is doing everything he can to convince her she belongs back in the city with him doing the job she’s worked so hard to establish. Carrie never had time for anything apart from work but in Magnolia Creek it isn’t long before she strikes up a lasting friendship with Rosie, Gemma and Bella, and when a face from the past turns up offering forgiveness, Carrie realises that everyone needs a little bit of love and friendship in their lives.

ROS RENDLE

Flowers of Resistance

Historical thriller with strong romantic element

E-book

Indie

8th September

France 1940. Delphi, Rainier and their daughter Flora, must flee the Nazi advance. 

They go to the vineyard of Flora’s step-cousin Luca, in the Vichy Zone Libre

Despite Luca’s resentment of Flora, she is attracted to him, but there is a traitor among them and he is mysteriously absent much of the time.Then there is her employer, André, mayor, sponsored by the Nazis, but he is lonely after the death of his wife and young daughter. Should she spy on his activities, betraying his trust and friendship and putting herself and her family in danger? Resistance fighter or collaborator; petulance or passion; divided loyalties and discovered love. This is a love story and a thriller set during turbulent times in France.

Sheila Riley:

Sheila joined the RNA in 2004 as a new writer. Since then she has written best selling sagas under the name of Annie Groves for Harper Collins. A member of the Sandpipers, the North West chapter of the RNA, Sheila loves to catch up with writer friends at regular Southport lunches. Currently writing family sagas set in the immediate aftermath of WW2, Sheila explores the close-knit community of Liverpool Docklands, which hides many a family secret...

Collating the monthly publications list is another of her great pleasures, and her tottering T.B.R. list gets bigger every month! 

The new email address for Monthly Publications; releases@romanticnovelistsassociation.org 

Deadline for submission is 27th of the month, if possible

Thank you Sheila. We look forward to next month’s wonderful list.

Meet the news RNA committee!

Meet your new RNA Committee!

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of The Romantic Novelists' Association and who it is that keeps the cogs ticking over of our fabulous organisation? We take the opportunty to meet committee members and our valued helpers.

Nicola Cornick – Chairman

Historical novelist Nicola is also a historian, guide and speaker for the National Trust, and a consultant specialising in history for TV and radio. She and her husband train Guide Dog puppies too, much to the annoyance of their wonderfully patient, elderly Labrador.

”I’ve been a member of the RNA for almost 20 years and am very proud to be taking on the role of Chair. I’m aiming to increase the RNA’s visibility within the publishing industry and the wider world!”

Alison May – Vice Chairman

Alison lives in Worcester with her husband. No kids, no pets, one still un-dead cactus! She writes romantic comedy and commercial women’s fiction, and has been shortlisted in the RoNAs and Love Stories Awards. Aside from writing, Alison is a teacher and freelance trainer.

“As Vice-Chair of the RNA I want to meet as many members as possible and find out what they want from the association, and also develop links with publishers, booksellers and other writing organisations.”

Sally Calder – Hon Treasurer

Relatively new to the RNA, Sally writes gritty historical romances when she is not being an accountant in real life.

“As treasurer I’ll be overseeing how/where your money is spent. We aim to break even each year and I’d like that to continue! However, we have a healthy bank balance, giving the organisation the opportunity to consider one-off events or activities for our members and to continue to promote romantic fiction.”

Anna Scamans – Hon Deputy Treasurer

Anna Scamans writes romantic suspense as Anna Louise Lucia and her first book was published in 2008 by Medallion Press. She joined the RNA in 2002 as an NWS member and joined the Committee in 2011. She has been the Hon. Deputy Treasurer since 2012 and in between balancing writing and life with her two very young sons, she keeps an eye on the pennies at all times!

Julie Vince – Hon Secretary

Julie Vince writes as Julia Wild and joined the RNA NWS in 1993. She was first published in 1997 by Scarlet, has numerous books published and most recently has been concentrating on bringing out her backlist as eBooks. In the past Julie has worked as a legal secretary, library assistant and night club waitress, but plans to remain a full-time writer from now on. She lives with her husband in Bedfordshire and has three adult children living close by.

“I love working with this enthusiastic committee in my role as the RNA’s Hon Secretary. I deal with daily admin, meeting minutes and update documents amongst other duties. Whilst in this role I would like to complete updating the Hon-Sec Handbook!” says Julie.

Jules Wake – RNA Press Officer

Jules writes contemporary romantic fiction and to date has published seven novels. A writer and a School Business Manager, she is also a former PR Consultant and writes dazzling press releases whilst communicating effectively with the media.

“Recently we set up twelve ‘down the line’ BBC radio interviews and I spent the morning in a broom cupboard-sized studio with president Katie Fforde, who gallantly flew the flag telling listeners from Jersey to Stoke, Southampton to Carlisle all about the RNA.

“I co-ordinate the publicity for the RNA Industry Award, the RoNAs and the Joan Hessayon, working with super-organised external PR, Katrina Power. Like other committee members I’m also busy writing and juggling the day job, so life is very hectic. However, the crazy workload is worth it, I’m passionate about the RNA and particularly the NWS. Since I joined I’ve made some amazing friends, learned so much about the industry and had incredible support. It’s this generosity of spirit that makes me want to be part of the committee and ensure I play my part to do the very best for the organisation.

Gill Stewart – Hon Membership Secretary

Gill Stewart, who writes as Gilly Stewart, Gill-Marie Stewart and Gillian Villiers, has been a member of the RNA since 2003. She has had two novels published by Accent Press and a number of novellas published by D C Thomson and Linford Romance Library. She lives on the west coast of Scotland with her husband and assorted cats, dogs and hens. She was Hon Treasurer of the RNA from 2013 to 2017 and has taken up this new role to help continue to support the committee and the overall organisation, which she feels gives so much to its members.

Elaine Everest – RNA Social Media Co-ordinator

Award-winning non-fiction and fiction writer, novelist, journalist and writing tutor and NWS graduate, Elaine runs Social Media for the RNA, including Twitter and Facebook accounts and the popular RNA blog. She also works with Jan Jones organising the highly prized and sought-after 1-2-1 conference appointments for delegates with industry professionals.

“During the next year I hope to increase awareness of the RNA on social media and encourage members, young and old, to make use of our busy and extremely supportive Facebook group. I also enjoy helping members with industry appointments leading up to our annual conference and that includes holding hands with the nervous first-timers and celebrating when they have good news – which happens often!” says Elaine.

Alison Knight – RoNA Scorekeeper

Alison is a professional fundraiser. She went to university aged 45 gaining a first class degree in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and an MA at Oxford Brookes University while working full-time for Christian Aid. She writes contemporary women’s fiction as Alison Rose, and young adult time-slip adventures as Alison Knight. She is scorekeeper for the RoNA Awards.

“My role on the committee is Awards Moderator for the RoNAs – checking the scores given by the readers, making sure they’re all received and recorded properly before we check everything and announce the short lists,” explains Alison.

Immi Howson – New Writers’ Scheme Organiser

The New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) is one of the most valuable services the RNA provides, giving all NWS members the opportunity for a full manuscript critique each year. Here’s organiser Immi’s take on her role.

“My role is to administer the scheme, assigning manuscripts to the most appropriate readers, forwarding reports to members, resolving any problems and giving advice to those members whose manuscripts have been judged ‘submission ready’.

”My overall aim is for the NWS to keep pace with the changing world of the publishing industry, and that every report is as useful and constructive as possible. Future plans include introducing more support for readers to access, such as the option for further training and a ‘buddy scheme’ for ongoing support.

“I also plan to include a self-editing guide in the information given to NWS members, and full instructions on how to ‘anonymize’ a Word document, for those readers who would like to include comments in the manuscript itself. This is something that was commonly done when we ran a paper-based scheme and is less easy, but still achievable, with the new online system.

“I’m open to all feedback, good and bad, so please contact me if you have any comments on the scheme!”

Anne Graham – Party Organiser

Anne Graham writes dialogue-rich historical romance as Anne Stenhouse and is published by MuseItUp, Linford Romance Library and Endeavour Press. She has worked as a civil servant and rehabilitation care worker and hopes that these roles should help create a mix of both organisational and observational skills.

Anne has the superb title of Party Organiser and explains a bit of what that involves.

“Although my email address is events@romanticnovelistsassociation.org being the RNA Party Organiser is what I actually do. This role encompasses the Awards, and ticketing some meetings, plus guest lists, name badges and general liaison with venues about facilities, refreshments and all the other little details that go into making our parties so popular.”

Adrienne Vaughan – Hon News Editor, Romance Matters

Editor of RM and RNA Industry Awards co-ordinator, Adrienne is a founder member of the indie publishing group New Romantics Press and since joining the RNA in 2011 has published three novels and a collection of short stories and poems. Her agent Lisa Eveleigh is currently marketing her latest book.

“I feel we are poised to take the RNA to the next level and have made great progress improving our industry-facing profile and communications in general. I love working with this group of talented, enthusiastic individuals who come together, not only as a cohesive team, but a force to be reckoned with!”

Jean Fullerton – Chapter Liaison

Jean joined in 2002, graduating from the NWS four years later. A member of the London & Southeast chapter, she says their support and encouragement was invaluable during that long and sometimes heart-breaking road to publication.

“I believe the local RNA chapters are the backbone of the organisation and took on the role of Chapter Liaison in 2009. Since then I’ve travelled the country meeting up with local chapters and a great number of members.

“Because I’ve gained so much from the RNA I always promised myself that I would stand for the committee when I waved goodbye to the day-job and last year I did. I hope to encourage more local chapter-led events such as study days, writing retreats, regional socials.” Since Jean took over the role new chapters have launched in new areas and even two new countries – Scotland and Ireland – she’s happy to report.

Katherine (Kathy) Garbera – Libraries Liaison

Kathy is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than 90 books, her publishers include Harlequin (Mills&Boon), HarperImpulse, and Tule Publishing. She’s a veteran author with a career spanning more than 20 years.

Being Libraries Liaison is a natural fit for Kathy, who is passionate about reading. She hopes to get localised lists of members matched to libraries in their area creating a synergy between authors, libraries and readers. She also is working – with Elaine Everest and Nicola Cornick – on an initiative to recognise librarians who are romantic fiction friendly and help support our genre, sub-genres and our members, possibly creating a Librarian/Library of the Year Award.

Celia Anderson – RoNA Organiser

Celia is a recently retired and much missed schoolteacher and the award-winning author of four novels plus numerous short stories. She is a founder member of a wonderfully supportive group of writers, The Romaniacs.

“During my time on the committee, I’ll be working towards further developing the existing – and excellent – RoNA awards scheme and promoting the RNA through its flagship awards event each March. Which will all help to raise our profile as we head towards our magnificent sixty year Diamond Anniversary celebrations in 2020,” says Celia.

Non-Committee roles:

Jan Jones, Conference Organiser

Kate Johnson, ROMNA Moderator

Janet Gover, Webmistress/Presentations

Janice Preston, NWS Admin

Evelyn Ryle, Sub-Committee (Membership & Constitution advice)

Melanie Hilton, Sub-Committee (Membership & Constitution advice)

Julie Stock, Deputy Editor Romance Matters

FOCUS ON: Nottingham Chapter

It isn't often we have the opportunity of welcoming an entirely new Chapter to the Blog but Clare Harvey and Katie Ellisdon have got together and will be holding their first meeting on 15th September. If you're local why not go along and support them. Clare tells us here how it all came about.

It’s really exciting that you’re starting a new RNA Chapter in Nottingham. Are you and Katie Ellisdon long-standing friends or is it just a lucky accident and what prompted you to take this step?

Katie and I have known each other for ages, although we only discovered we were both closet writers a couple of years ago.

We used to live opposite each other on Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham back in 2007, when our

Katie Ellisdon and Clare Harvey

children were toddlers (Katie has two daughters, and I have a son and twin girls – all our children are now at secondary school). Those were manic days when both our soldier husbands were being sent all over the place (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kenya, etc. etc.) as they were both technical engineering officers. Being de facto single parents, living opposite each other with kids the same age, we were in and out of each other’s houses all the time. Then my family were posted to Nepal, and hers to Northern Ireland, and we didn’t see each other for a few years, until we both ended up posted back to Chetwynd Barracks, and living on the same street yet again.

Neither of us realised that in the interim we had both been busily scribbling away, and dreaming of becoming authors.

I took an MA in creative writing at the University of Nottingham in 2011/12 and Katie was a huge help with after-school childcare on the afternoons when I couldn’t make it home from uni in time to meet the kids from school, but she was very secretive about her own writing, and didn’t tell me until I was lucky enough to get a publishing deal in 2014. I think my response was something along the lines of ‘I always knew there was a reason why I liked you so much, it’s because you’re a writer too!’ Katie is now a member of the New Writers Scheme.

Have you planned a regular meeting place yet and do you mean to have lunch, high tea or just morning coffee? We’d love to hear about where and how often you hope to meet.

Lady Jayne's Vintage Tea Room

Our group started as an excuse for Katie and I to get together (as neither of us live on the army camp any more, we hardly ever see each other), but we’ve also just discovered that the RNA’s lovely Imogen Howsen is local, too, so there’ll be three of us.

The meetings are on the third Friday of the month at 2pm at Lady Jayne’s vintage tea room at the Toton Lane tram stop in Nottingham. It’s a sweet little tea room where everything is homemade and yummy. From Nottingham city, you just need to hop on a tram and go to the end of the line at Toton Lane. From outside the city, it’s just off the A52 by the Bardill’s roundabout and follow signs to tram stop – there’s loads of free parking.

Do you anticipate your chapter will be open to non-members of the RNA?

To begin with the group is just for RNA members, but that could change, depending on what the group feels will work best.

Do you have any particular aims in mind?

The aim of the group is really just to meet up informally with other like-minded writers for a cuppa and a chat (and possibly a nice slice of homemade cake…).

Are you planning to have a Nottingham Chapter website or Twitter account, and can you please give our readers a link to your Facebook page.
I will add new members to a dedicated WhatsApp group, but have no plans to develop a website or social media presence at the moment, as we’re starting so small.

Who is the contact for new members?
Clare Harvey clareharvey13@aol.com or call me on 07751546954 or tweet/DM @ClareHarveyauth

And then there were three! Lovely that Immi is joining up. We all look forward to seeing how your group develops and wish you the very best of success with your new venture. Thanks so much for joining us.

About Natalie:

Natalie Kleinman writes contemporary and historical romantic novels. Her latest Escape to the Cotswolds, is set in the beautiful English countryside and was published by HarperCollins HQ Digital in June 2017.

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Festivals and Workshops: Dorchester Literary Festival

Welcome to Elaine Roberts with another in her interesting series about literary festival and workshops. This month Elaine interviews Janet Gleeson from the Dorchester Literary Festival.

Welcome to the RNA blog Janet. Can you tell us something about your festival, how it came about and how long its been running?

The Dorchester Literary Festival started three years ago after a chance conversation with a friend and

fellow writer, with whom I work on Antiques Roadshow. We wondered why it was that Dorchester, a county town rich in literary legacy, and the birthplace of Thomas Hardy, didn’t have a literary festival. We chatted to the manager of the local Waterstones, to the County Museum, Tourist Information Centre and Library Service, as well as to local writers such as Tracy Chevalier, Minette Walters and Julian Fellowes, and decided there would plenty of support so off we went.

Who are your main speakers this year?

This year we have around 24 events, with speakers including Tracy Chevalier, Thomasina Miers, Val McDermid, Henry Blofeld, Fergal Keane, Penny Junor, A N Wilson, Adam Nicolson, Alastair Sawday, Amanda Craig, Jane Corry, Marianen Kavanagh and Katie Hickman.

As our blog is for writers can you tell me how your festival would benefit our members?

The festival provides a wonderful opportunity for would be writers to hear and meet some of the nations most successful and creative authors talk about their books, to discover how they work and how their ideas evolve. Many venues are relatively small so the events tend to have a very personal and informal atmosphere, and there is always time to ask questions.

Is there anything to enter (maybe a writing competition), if so could details be provided?

We are launching a new writing competition at this year’s festival. More details will be announced nearer the time in our brochure and on our website www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com

How about staying over for the whole event. Where can people stay?

There are lots of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation nearby, if you stay for a few days you will be able to soak up the wonderful Dorset scenery as well as attend the talks.

What does it cost to attend?

Most adult events cost £10, but there are tempting discounts for those who spend more than £30.

Do workshops/talks fill up quickly?

Talks for popular events can sell out quickly although we do sell tickets on the door if there are any still available.

How much time does it take to organise the festival?

Almost as soon as the festival closes we start preparation for next year, contacting publishers to find

out what will be coming out and deciding who we’d like to invite. Organisation is time consuming but it is hugely worthwhile to bring so many great writers to such a great county town.

This year’s festival will take place 18-22 October.

Website: www.dorchesterliterayfestival.com

Email: janet@dorchesterliteraryfestival.com

Thank you for taking the time to talk to visit the RNA blog, Janet and we wish the festival every success.

About Elaine:

Elaine is a member of the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and is currently working on a family saga. She has sold short stories worldwide and enjoys attending RNA events such as the London chapter and our annual conference. Elaine is a great fan of writing retreats either week long by the sea with friends or one-day retreats with fellow writers in her hometown of Dartford. Elaine runs a writing blog along with writer, Francesca Capaldi Burgess called WriteMindWritePlace.