Romantic Novelist Association Conference 2024

I have three words to describe the Romantic Novelists' Association Conference - inspirational, informative and community. What an amazing event! If you're a romance writer and you didn't attend it, you missed out.

QUICK FACTS:

• Organiser: Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA)

• Location: Egham, Surrey, UK

• Price: £££££

• Value for money: £££££

• Open to: UK and International writers, members and non-members of the RNA

In 2024, I joined the RNA's New Writers' Scheme (NWS). Best thing I have ever done for my writing career. I will write a post about the NWS later on for those interested, but one of the many benefits the RNA provides its members is the opportunity to network and learn more about the latest in the publishing industry, including a conference and a couple of awards.

PRICES

Ok... it wasn't cheap. 2024's residential tickets cost £675 for RNA members and £749 for non-members, but I can't stress this enough - IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY. It truly is an investment in yourself and your writing.

There were different types of tickets available starting at £250 for members and £299 for non-members - the residential ones being the most expensive; and if you booked early enough, you could even pay in instalments.

What Was Included

Residential tickets included:

• accommodation for two nights

• meals

• refreshments at break times

• unlimited cans of still and sparkling water

• a goody bag including a free book of your choice from a selection

• an incredible lineup of workshops by Industry Professionals (IPs)

• and at least one appointment with an agent or publisher to pitch your book

There were over thirty IPs in attendance, including the likes of Curtis Brown, Penguin Random House, and Harper Collins; as well as Amazon KPD.

By the way, when I say it included meals and refreshments, I don't mean sandwiches. I mean proper hot meals with vegan options, healthy options, desserts and more food than you can shake your fork at. And for refreshments... the black liquid of life (AKA coffee), a selection of teas, and some sort of sweet something. Because, you know... we're in the UK. Tea and coffee = hot drink + biscuit and/or pastry.

VENUE

The setting for the 2024 conference couldn't be more perfect - the Royal Holloway, University of London. Originally, Royal Holloway was an all-women college founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Holloway in memory of his late wife. It was opened by Queen Victoria herself, and it's a jaw-dropping venue. You can actually imagine Victorian women wandering around its gardens and corridors in the late 1800s - hint-hint for the historical novelists out there.

TALKS & ENTERTAINMENT

The learning workshops were divided into there levels for ease - starting out, already published, and established author looking to grow or expand; but it was up to you which ones you attended. They included practical information - writing tips, what is trending in the industry, how to promote your books, and key tech skills you might need to do so. All delivered by some seriously knowledgeable industry professionals, from publishers and established authors, to service providers - editors, marketers, etc. The programme was so jam packed, that I needed a nap after the second day so I could recover before the Gala Party.

And talking about parties... we had a quiz on the first night, and an award ceremony and DJ on the second night. When over 200 writers let their hair down, got merry, and shook their bones until the clock stroke midnight and our heels turned into flip-flops. Myself absolutely included.

PITCH APPOINTMENTS

If all of the above wasn't enough, every attendee was guaranteed at least one appointment with an agent or publisher to pitch their book. You had to send in a blurb, synopsis and the first five thousand words of your novel around two months in advance, as well as selecting your top five IPs from a list of over thirty. The IPs were then given your blurb and, if they were interested, your synopsis and excerpt, and your one-to-one pitch appointment was scheduled. I ended up having three pitch appointments as three IPs were interested in my novel. I need to mention here that members had these appointments as part of their package, but non-members had to pay a £50 administration fee to submit a manuscript.

Having said that, submissions were not mandatory and you could pass on the opportunity if you weren't ready to pitch. But let's be honest, who would want to miss on that! Specially as you could submit partial drafts and book concepts as well as fully finished manuscripts.

COMMUNITY

I also had the opportunity and absolute pleasure of meeting some incredible writers - from aspiring authors, like myself, to seasoned veterans who have sold thousands of copies of their novels. There was no "I'm too successful to talk to you, peasant" attitude; and the community was so welcoming, friendly and approachable, that despite turning up by myself, not really knowing anyone, I was never alone and came away with a whole list of new contacts and potential writing pals. Here, I need to give a shout-out to Katherine Baldwin, Lucy Chalice, Laura E. James, Fiona Lucas, Kate Galloway Smith, Victoria Springfield, Clare Marchant, Jenni Keer, Samantha Bentall, Jennifer Page, Charlotte Newton, Katherine Mezzacappa, Cindi Page and Kathryn Dyson for being such fantastic company and putting up with me all weekend.

WILL I ATTEND AGAIN?

Not even a question, as far as I go. And hopefully, I will see you there too. 😊