In Trepidation I Go to the Awards...

I've been trying to ban thoughts of the RNA Novel of the Year 2011 Awards Party from my brain for the last few weeks. Actually, that's not true. It's been since the long list was announced, way before Christmas. All through January I've not been thinking about it. All through February I've not been thinking about it even harder.

And now here it is. March 7th 2011. Champagne and canapes galore apparently - which I won't be able to enjoy because I'll be sick with nerves. I've allowed myself to practice a good loser face. Wistful? Nonchalant? Unconcerned? I'm not sure which is best. Green with envy? No, not that. Besides, I genuinely think I won't win. The rest of the short list is crammed with marvellous writers and fabulous novels. One of them will win. (My money's on Elizabeth Chadwick, not least because To Defy a King has the most gorgeous cover.)

Where I have won is by joining the Romantic Novelists Association in the first place, nearly ten years ago. Then I was in possession of a manuscript and a fistful of rejections. Since joining, all along the road to publication the RNA has been there from meeting my agent at an RNA party, to now and being short listed for their main award. It's been great and, because I don't expect that I'll get the chance on the night, I'd like to say a big thank you to the RNA. May you carry on supporting writers for ever.

NEW!!! I've finally got round to organising some course dates....

How to WRITE a Novel: London 3rd May/Birmingham 7th May/

Oxford 8th May/Exeter 21st May/Bath 12th June

How to SELL a Novel: London 24th May/Exeter 4th June/

Bath 3rd July Details are on my website

The Romantic Novelists Summer Party

I've been a member of the Romantic Novelists Association for the past eight years. I joined when someone told me that the parties were great for meeting agents. So off I went to my first RNA event, the Summer Party of 2002, happy in the knowledge that I was going to meet lots of agents. And do you know what - I did. The place was heaving with them.

Of course, they weren't bathed in glory as golden rays beamed down from the ceiling onto them, illuminating their all round fabulousness, in fact, they looked pretty much like any one else, but once I got into the swing of things, it was easy peasy. You just had to say, 'I'm hoping to meet agents,' and either the person would say, 'I'm one,' or point you in the right direction.

I have to say I think the several glasses of white wine I'd swigged back in quick succession helped me immensely with this process as I'm normally completely useless at parties and go all shy and tongue tied and end up self-consciously loitering in dark corners. But luckily the parties are reasonably short so I didn't end up falling over and making a fool of myself entirely, and the result was an agent signed me up. (Was it coincidence this was an agent I met after only one glass of wine?)

Today I'm off the the summer party again. I am older, wiser, and will be drinking less. But I will be meeting lots of friends and making new ones, and on the train home my jaws will ache from talking and smiling and laughing non-stop for three hours.

Come to the launch party for Kissing Mr Wrong, 6.30pm on 20th May at Waterstones, Milsom Street, Bath. All welcome, but please ring 01225 448515 to let them have an idea of numbers.

The Romantic Novelists Association

When I was starting to re-write Adultery for Beginners I went to a 'how to get published' talk. At the end, the speaker advised those of us who were writing relationship novels to join the Romantic Novelists Association, not least because they gave excellent parties where you could chat to agents and editors. It sounded like my sort of organisation, so the next day I got an application form and sent it off. I've been a member ever since.

The first event I went to was the AGM and Summer Party. Not knowing anybody, I nervously chose a seat towards the back, surrounded by empty seats. Not for long. Soon I had a neighbour who introduced herself and, as the AGM proceded, gave me a whispered running commentary about the various issues being discussed. Then, at the party, she introduced me to an agent and several other members. Up and running, with a couple of glasses of wine inside me, I managed to chat to lots of people including five agents and a couple of editors.

At the time I thought I'd struck lucky, but experience has shown me that the RNA must be the friendliest and most supportive organisation ever. I think it must be impossible to stand alone and unspoken to at an RNA gathering. Unlike many other writing organisations, the unpublished are welcomed and encouraged, and there's an excellent feedback scheme for them. There are regional chapters, and an on-line chapter where everyone can contribute and all are treated equally, from the newest of new writers to the bestselling novelist. Throughout the year there are various meetings with interesting speakers and a conference, as well as the Summer and Winter parties and the annual Awards lunch.

I've made many good friends through the RNA and if you've a writing question, whether it's about research, craft or support, there's always someone who knows the answer. The speaker was right. If you're writing a relationship novel - be it rom com, chick lit, hen lit, HMB, saga, contemporary women's fiction, romance - then you should join the RNA.