RNA Conference; Alex Gray New Cover

Last week, Joan Fleming, postal member Jenny Harper and I attended the Romantic Novelists' Association weekend conference at the Harper Adams University campus near Telford in Shropshire. What a fabulous time was had by all. From interesting speakers to networking and making new friends, it was so full on that most of us have taken nearly a week to recover! I was fortunate enough to take part in a pre-conference historical authors event at the Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge on the Friday morning where several of us dressed in some kind of costume appropriate to the period in which we write. We certainly attracted lots of attention from visitors and it was good to explore the wonderful Victorian Town.

Dentist's Chair!

Draper's Shop

At the conference itself, it was all go from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. Among some of the more memorable talks I attended were those given by Australian author Janet Gover on 'Location, location', Kate Long on 'Characterisation' and entertaining London author Jean Fullerton on 'Don't Lose the Plot'. But the whole weekend was packed full of such gems and authors had the opportunity for a pre-booked 1-1 with several publishers and one agent. Matt Bates from WH Smith and Richard Lee, representing a branch of Waterstones, gave an overview of getting books onto the shelves, while a panel of professional authors and representatives of the RNA and Australian Writers Association looked at 'The Future of Romantic Fiction' which seems very healthy and popular indeed.

The most exciting news over the weekend was that Jenny Harper was offered a four book deal by Hazel Cushion of Accent Press! Many congratulations to Jenny.

Roll on next year when the conference takes place in London!

Rosemary

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As we approach the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, setting for Alex Gray's latest book, The Bird That Did Not Sing, which was released earlier in the year, here's a preview of the lovely new cover for the paperback which is due out in September!