Ante-#RNAConf18

Ante-#RNAConf18

That would be ante as in before not anti as in against. Or even ante as in bet, though I’m willing to bet there will be many blog posts post-Conference. Sorry – ante, anti and ante. Posts and post. Isn’t English a wonderful language?

I sat down to work this morning but found instead that, with the excitement mounting, there was no way I could concentrate. There were several things on my mind so I thought I’d jot a few of them down here.

Messy but I'm hoping it's all there

Have I packed enough/the right clothes? Not actually packed but on the bed waiting.

Will the travel plans work out now that arrangements have been made to avoid the London Tube strike? With pre-booked tickets from Kings Cross it would be a disaster to miss the designated train.

How much I’m looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.

The wonderful Jan Jones

Will I be able to attend all the sessions that have been arranged for us without collapsing in an exhausted heap? The answer of course is no. I’ll definitely collapse in an exhausted heap, but with so much skill and knowledge made available to us I shall try very hard keep up.

Thanks as ever to Jan Jones for her behind the scenes work. This morning Jan has posted that there is an excellent range of gins. So good of her to do the research for us.

There are others of course who also worked so diligently to make the Conference seem like a well-oiled machine. Sheila Crighton who was instrumental in arranging the attendance of the Industry Professionals. Session organisers. I don't have names but I thank them sincerely.

Sterling work again this year from Elaine Everest acting as liaison between conference delegates and Industry Professionals. I never fail to get worked up over the one2ones but hey, a little dose of adrenalin is a good thing, isn’t it? I have always found the feedback we get absolutely invaluable. How lucky are we to have the opportunity to discuss our work with the professionals in such an informal and relaxed manner. Did I say relaxed?

It would be remiss of me not to mention the parties. RNA members certainly know how to party. We get a lot of practice. There’s also the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. An excuse to dress up and have another party. Who needs an excuse?

 

Not a conference photo but, with the much loved and
missed Roger Sanderson, synonymous with the
Annual Conference, I just had to include this one

What more can I say? This has been by way of a stream of consciousness. Throughout the year I attend as many writing events as I can and as my purse will allow but the RNA Annual Conference is the one that takes precedence over all the rest. I know I will enjoy it. I always do. But above all I will come away with considerably more knowledge than when I arrived, I will have met new people, and I will carry a huge amount of enthusiasm and an eagerness to get back to work. Oh, and probably a few extra pounds in weight as well. See you there.

Natalie

Natalie Kleinman in Recovery Mode

I’m still in recovery mode. Last week’s Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) Summer Party was even more special than I could have anticipated and I hope it will remain in my memory forever.

Though it was the subject of this blog last week, in particular with reference to the Joan Hessayon Award, I cannot continue without mentioning it again as it was only the beginning of yet another amazing week. And I’m posting a picture of the group of finalists again…because I like it and because I can.

Joan Hessayon Award Finalists

So what followed this amazing event?

Firstly, my missive to Writers’ Forum, written prior to the party, appeared as the lead letter on the Writers’ Circle page. And for anyone who’s read it, no, I didn’t spill wine down the front of my dress. Cue another picture (left).

On Wednesday of this week I picked up a copy of The People’s Friend containing my short story, Secrets in the Attic. It’s almost a year since this story was sold and notification of the publication date in an email a couple of weeks ago took me by surprise because, frankly, I had forgotten about it. It was the last short story I sold (or submitted) as I had by then moved full time to writing novels. It raised a question though. The thrill of buying a magazine with one of my stories in it hasn’t diminished. To know that it will be giving pleasure, even in the short time it takes to read, is actually quite humbling. So here’s another picture.

Will I go back to them? Unlikely. I am completely committed to writing novels and, much as I enjoyed my previous work, I cannot do justice to both. With the end of the week approaching I, and approximately 250 other delegates, received the pack for the RNA Conference which will take place in London in July. A huge amount of work goes into preparing for the Conference and, without diminishing the work that others do, all credit must be given to Jan Jones for the organisation that goes on before the envelopes drop on our doorsteps. 

I have begun to study the contents and will do so many more times before attending what to me is the most valuable writing event in the calendar. There's a lot to take in. In case you don't believe me, here's another picture.

Food and wine are also involved. I look forward to seeing some of you there.