Monday 25 May 2015

The Joan Hessayon Award and Romantic Novelists' Association

Colour Clash!
Hopefully every day of one’s life has some special element about it but for me last Thursday was way up there.

By now there have been many posts, pictures and comments on the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Summer Party but I’d like to give you my take on it. The build up to this particular event has been long – and I’m not referring to all the hard work put in by the organisers. I won’t mention names here as I’m bound to leave someone out and I don’t want to upset anybody.

RNA parties are always great! Always! Well, the five I’ve been to anyway. The Royal Over-Seas League, London is a fantastic venue and the atmosphere ever electric. This time was different though. This time I was a contender for the coveted Joan Hessayon Award, so kindly sponsored every year by Dr David Hessayon in memory of his wife Joan.

Class of 2015
There were fourteen of what should have been fifteeen in the line-up this year (sadly Heather Rosser was absent due to ill health) and we’d all known for some time that we would be on the list. The competition is for members of the New Writers' Scheme who graduate with a novel that went through the scheme to publication. Having one’s first book published is monumental and I don’t imagine any writer would deny the magnitude of the thrill of knowing your work has been recognised. To stand in a large reception room with the other graduates in a space that was filled with our peers, some published, some yet to be, as well as agents and editors, all happy for our success, was an experience I will never forget.

The photo shoot (I believe that’s what it’s called) was an experience in itself as the contenders gathered before the event for individual and group pictures. Some of the authors I had met before, some I hadn’t, but the bonding that took place in that short time was tangible and it was a thrill to be in the company of such lovely people. The photographer, and I’ve seen her at previous parties, is amazing. A lovely personality and so good at her job.

With my agent, Lisa Eveleigh
of the Richford Becklow Literary Agency
We moved into the reception to mingle with the more than two hundred people attending. There are a few prerequisites to attending an RNA party. One needs to be able to hold a glass in one hand and a canapĂ© in the other; have a keen eye or the ability to ask people their name without embarrassment - even if you have met them several time before - if you are unable to read it on their badge. I know this will touch a chord with others as I am aware I’m not the only one who can’t put names to faces. Nobody is offended. It is also sometimes necessary to get close up and personal as it’s almost impossible to hear oneself speak, never mind the man or woman who is talking to you.

Little groups of friends often form themselves naturally but past attendees were on the lookout for name tags with a gold sticker attached. These indicated first timers and organiser Sally Quilford (okay, so I have mentioned a name after all) had thoughtfully asked us to be aware and make welcome anyone who might be on their own and a little bit anxious. What a thoughtful thing to do.

With my certificate
Proud or What!
In due course the contenders for the award were called to the front of the room and assembled before a large white board. Fourteen glammed up ladies in a row, everyone a winner just for being there, each stepping forward one pace as new Chair, Eileen Ramsey, read a short blurb about their book, the cover of which was flashed up onto the screen together with an image of the author. My own book, Safe Harbour,can be seen here in the right hand banner.


Brigid Coady
Winner - Joan Hessayon Award 2015



Then Eileen announced the overall winner, a delighted and emotional Brigid Coady, for No One Wants to be Miss Havisham – how fantastic a title is that. I wish her every luck and success in the future.





It’s very difficult to put into words – and me a writer – the pride I felt at being part of this wonderful annual event. It felt like an American-style graduation, standing up there with the rest. Hell, it was a graduation! If we’d been wearing mortar boards we would have flung them into the air. Well done everyone in the Class of 2015.

My thanks to the RNA, Elaine Everest and Vivien Hampshire who supplied images for me. I didn’t take a single one myself. 

Finally, were you there? I'd love you to share your own experience. You weren't? Then I hope to see you next year or perhaps at the Winter Party on 18th November. I can promise you a great time.

Natalie Kleinman

17 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed this week Natalie. I felt I was with you at this wonderful event and what a great achievement to be shortlisted. Congratulations to you and all the other contenders in this prestigious event.

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    1. Thank you, Rhona. The support has been overwhelming and the fun has been way off the scale.

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  2. Great post, Natalie! Sorry I didn't get much chance to chat with you this time. I love the dress you were wearing, by the way. Congrats on being a finalist in the award. It was a lovely party as always!

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  3. Thank you, Kath. Our meeting was fleeting wasn't it. The RNA certainly knows how to throw a good party. I'm hoping to catch up at the Conference with some of the people I didn't get to talk to. Hope to see you there.

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  4. I was there and like Kath I thought your dress was lovely. Great night, anne stenhouse

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    1. Thank you, Anne. It was good to meet you. Maybe we'll meet up again at the Conference if you're going. At least there's a bit more time to catch up with people there

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    2. Brilliant! I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks then. It's getting close, isn't it.

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  5. In the words of Young Mr. Grace "You've all done very well!". All of the finalists certainly scrubbed up like a display of birds of paradise.
    Of course, you are all where we (or certainly I) hope to be eventually.

    It was impossible to get round everyone and chat and congratulate - so many people, and so little time. It was an excellent party though, and congratulations.

    See you at Conference,
    John

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    1. Thank you, John. Lovely to hear from you. I did see you across a crowded room on Thursday - you're not an easy man to miss - but yes, it will be easier with more time to get together at the Conference. I look forward to it.

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  6. It sounds like a wonderful occasion, made even more special for being a contender for the award. Were you nervous? I wish I could have been there but I shall make sure I go to the winter party again this year.

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    1. It was one of the best night's of my life. No, not nervous at all. I had no expectation of winning so I was just there to have a really good time and believe me I did.
      You're forgiven for not being there. I've read your wonderful blog today and you have a pretty good excuse. It will be lovely if you can make the winter party but in any case I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Conference.

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  7. You've summed up my feelings of the evening perfectly. Standing in the line-up with all the other contenders was such special moment. Good luck with Safe Harbour!

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    1. Thank you, Gwyneth. It was a pleasure to meet you and be part of such a wonderful evening

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    2. Gwyneth Williams31 May 2015 at 20:51

      And you Natalie :-)

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  8. Natalie, your post describes exactly how I feel about the evening. It was very special, a never-to-be-repeated experience. Meeting the other finalists was so interesting - it's good to know at least some will be at the Conference.

    Well done to everyone involved in the arrangements for the evening, and I echo your appreciation of Dr David Hessayon's sponsorship.

    Congratulations once again to Brigid Coady on winning the Award.

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    1. We're so lucky too to have pictorial memories, Joan. Just looking at the photos brings it all rushing back.
      I'm delighted you'll be at the Conference and look forward to seeing you again there. Perhaps we'll have more opportunity for a proper conversation

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