RNA Summer Party time & a free short story alert

May 16, 2012

In between writing, I’m making my final preparations for the RNA Summer Party tomorrow.

I’ve got my party ticket and train tickets for author friends, Nell Dixon and Elizabeth Hanbury as we’re heading off to London together. I’ve not decided on the party outfit yet because the weather is crazy in the UK at the moment. One minute we have sunshine and the next hail and sleet. On Sunday I’d decided to wear a summery dress and sandals but now I’m thinking a black dress and thick tights.

This year the party is extra special. As usual, the winner of the Joan Hessayon New Writers Award will be announced. I’ve got a soft spot for NWS award, having been thrilled to win it for Decent Exposure back in 2007. The award is sponsored by Dr David Hessayon, to honour of his late wife Joan, who was member of the RNA. Under the NWS, manuscripts submitted by unpublished writers are read by an experienced writer or editor who provides valuable feedback. Any manuscript that’s subsequently published as a debut novel is eligible for the award, which is judged by a panel of RNA members.

I love seeing the newly published authors celebrating achieving their dreams. I’ll never forget standing in that line-up, trying to actually believe my debut novel had been published – still have to pinch myself!

This year the party is being held at a bigger venue, The Royal Overseas League, because for the first time, the RNA is also using the event to announce the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year 2012 Award from the winners of five category winners in March.

They are:

Christina Courtenay- Highland Storms (The Historical Romantic Novel award), Choc Lit

Katie Fforde – Summer of Love (The Contemporary Romantic Novel award), Random House

Caroline Green – Dark Ride (The Young Adult Romantic Novel Award), Piccadilly Press

Jane Lovering – Please Don’t Stop the Music (The Romantic Comedy Award), Choc Lit

Rosie Thomas – The Kashmir Shawl (The Epic Romantic Novel award), HarperCollins

It should be a wonderful, exciting evening and the chance to meet up with lots of friends – and also I get to meet my new editors at Piatkus for the first time.

By the way, I did manage to get some Olympic tickets for the Canoe slalom events – my daughter does a lot of kayaking and has been on the Olympic course so we’re very excited to actually be ‘going to the Olympics’as spectators.

And finally .. check back here on Friday because I will have news of how you can get some FREE short stories for your Kindle over the weekend.

Comments

1. On May 16th, 2012 at 5:05 am
   ChrisCross53 Says:
   

   Enjoy!

2. On May 16th, 2012 at 5:55 am
   Rachel Lyndhurst Says:
   

   Have a wonderful time, Phillipa! xx

3. On May 17th, 2012 at 2:12 am
   Liz Fenwick Says:
   

   Look forward to seeing you tonight!
   lx