RNA Conference 2023

It's now a week since I returned from the RNA Conference 2023. It was the first I'd been to since the conference in Lancaster in 2019 and the first one I'd been to in London. And what a success it was! 

Five members of the Cariad Chapter left Cardiff Central Station early on Friday 11th August, only to find that the lovely Christina who writes as Ella Matthews had been sitting a few seats behind us, having got on the train in Swansea. In what seemed like no time we were all leaving Paddington by Tube and making our way to Imperial College in South Kensington where the Conference was going to be held. After dropping off our luggage (a largish case on my part!), we made our way to the Sir Alexander Fleming Building. From then on, it was all systems go with so much packed into the two days. 

I think what most people get from the Conference may be divided into three parts:

- the learning and finding out more about the craft and business of writing

- the opportunity to submit to industry professionals and have an appraisal of your writing. When things go really well, you may be invited to send your whole manuscript to the publisher or agent thereby avoiding being in the proverbial slush pile.

- the socialising and reacquainting with other writers you've met at previous conferences or are familiar with online, and making new friends

The Conference was organised differently this year There had been a wealth of information beforehand so that as delegates we were well prepared for what to expect. Although you could choose any, to help us decide, the talks and workshops were divided into three streams. Stream 1 was designed to be most suitable for newbies and aspiring writers; Stream 2 was most suitable for those authors who are more experienced/on the publishing ladder and looking to improve themselves; Stream 3 choices were most suitable for 'old dogs wanting to learn new tricks'. The sessions were led by experienced published authors or industry professionals. I attended two excellent practical workshops, Scrivener for Beginners by Vicki Beeby and Introduction to Canva by Jeevani Charika, and although I'm not a techie, I'm so glad I did. I just need to keep practising now. Create a Connection: Newsletters by Katie Sadler was just what I needed, as next on my marketing list is to build a newsletter.

Out of the other seven sessions I attended, Writing Dual Timelines, a talk by Kath McGurl, will prove to be most useful for me, I think. It was informative as well as giving tips and advice about how to link and weave two stories together and the order in which you write both stories. The final talk I attended before the close on Sunday was Brainstorming Your Book, by Fiona Lucas. I'd heard her speak before and she was as inspiring as ever.

The social side of the Conference was more inclusive this year. The organisers had ensured that anyone who was attending for the first time or who didn't know anybody didn't feel isolated or left out. It was so good to catch up with other writers and chat with authors I had not met before.  After dinner on the Friday night, a Hopeless Romantics Quiz was organised. It was very enjoyable but it proved that I knew very little! The social highlight of the weekend was The Gala Party. Whereas in the past it was a formal dinner, at this Conference it took the form of a barbecue followed by a disco. The excellent DJ made sure the dance floor was never empty. And we danced until we dropped! 

Sally

Before the music started, there were presentations for The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy for the best opening chapter of a novel with the theme of 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. We were delighted that the winner was our lovely fellow Joffe/Choc Lit author, Sally Jenkins. The Joan Hessayon Award, given to the best debut novelist whose manuscript had gone through the RNA's New Writers' Scheme, was won by another Joffe writer, Katy Turner. Huge congratulations, Katy. A clean sweep for Joffe on the night! Our RNA Cariad Chapter member, Angela Sims, was also a contender.

Cariad Members with Angela

Joffe/Choc Lit Authors outside Hotel 190

It was good to meet two editors from my new publisher, Joffe Books, in person. With my fourth novel imminent, I'd had a considerable amount of dealings with Emma and Jasmine online, email and Zoom, but nothing beats spending time with them face to face during Saturday. They invited those of us who are now Joffe/Choic Lit authors to join them at the smart Hotel 190 for pre-Conference drinks.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, learned loads and met lots of lovely writers. I can't wait to go again next year!

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STOP PRESS: 

THE SECRET SISTER is available to pre-order for 99p. on Amazon and is currently on NetGalley. 

Publication day Thursday 31st August

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