The one where I went to the RNA's amazing conference and explored Kensington Gardens
I've been a member of the RNA (Romantic Novelists' Association) since 2012 when I joined their New Writers' Scheme – an amazing opportunity for aspiring authors of romantic books to have a manuscript reviewed by an author. During my membership, I've attended five in-person conferences as well as a virtual one during the pandemic.
At last year's conference in Harper Adams University, Shropshire, we were given the news that we'd lost our venue for July 2023. Leeds University had been booked but they were undertaking a refurbishment and had to cancel us. It was a bit up in the air as to whether there would be a conference at all this year but the Board and volunteers pulled out all the stops. It was a venue change to London and a time of year change to mid-August, but the conference was going to go ahead.
The organiser of the previous eight conferences (I think I have that number right) had stepped down after years of hard work pulling them together so this was a good opportunity for the new conference team to seek input from members and do something a bit different with the format.
I was a little nervous about going this year because, for various reasons, none of my closest author friends were going. I'm a really confident person in many aspects of my life, but walking into a room where I don't know anyone – or only to say 'hi' to – is a scenario which makes me uncomfortable. I'd already committed to being a speaker on the programme so I knew I'd need to put my big girls pants on and get on with it. I needn't have worried as it was absolutely amazing and the atmosphere so warm, friendly and welcoming.
Although the conference ran from lunchtime on the Friday until early afternoon on the Sunday, I went down on the Thursday and met my good friends, authors Jo Bartlett and Helen Rolfe, for lunch first. The conference was at Imperial College London (halls of residence shown in photos above) so we met in the South Kensington area.
After lunch, we found a gorgeous café called Feya very close to Harrods in Knightsbridge. What a special treat that was with a beautiful interior and delicious cakes. I'm not sure what the staff made of us as we kept changing seats, spotting different gorgeous places to sit the further into the café we moved!
One of my other good author friends, Jackie Ladbury, picked up a ticket quite close to the conference so I met up with her that evening. She introduced me to an author called Victoria Cornwall with the same publisher as her and I spent quite a lot of the weekend with Victoria, who was lovely.
We had the Friday morning free and, although I had some writing to do, I decided to go for a 'quick' walk as the Royal Albert Hall was very close to us. I'd performed a maypole dance in there when I was 15 so it was lovely to go and look at it again from the outside, bringing back happy memories of my youth club days.
Victoria had said to me that the Royal Albert Memorial was just opposite and worth looking at so I did that too. What an amazing monument!
She'd also said it wasn't too far to walk through Kensington Gardens to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain so I thought I'd tag that on too and then return to the halls of residence to do some writing.
I started following signs to the fountain but I could see Kensington Palace in the distance so, while I was there, decided to take that in first. It took me a bit longer to walk across the park than expected, especially in the heat, and I could see the minutes ticking past but I'm so glad I continued because it was lovely there. I couldn't go inside - definitely not long enough for that - but there's plenty to see in the area with a gorgeous statue of Queen Victoria at the entrance and The Sunken Gardens where there's a statue in memorial to Princess Diana.
The gardens were gorgeous. You can walk all the way round them, under a willow tunnel (or I think it was willow) on three sides which was so peaceful. Light filtered through the gaps in the trees and there were benches to sit on and contemplate. The garden is surrounded by a hedge but there are arched 'windows' cut into it all the way round, giving a different perspective across the pond and gardens every time. Beautiful.
Time was really ticking on by this point and I was a little lost but there are maps everywhere and trusty Google Maps. I was now nowhere near the fountain I'd originally planned to visit but decided to walk round the outskirts of the park to get to it. Bit ambitious! I reached the Italian Gardens (also gorgeous), passed Peter Pan's statue, and finally the Diana Memorial Fountain but needed to hoof it back for the start of the conference. My quick walk had been well over two hours.
I arrived at the conference a bit hot and bothered with no writing done but I loved my walk and was so glad I'd done it all.
The conference was soon underway and every session I attended was superb. There were three sessions running at a time, aimed from beginners through to experienced authors. It isn't easy finding sessions that the experienced authors will find really helpful but the organisers managed it. I enjoyed every single one and got something out of them all.
Friday nights at the conference have, in the past, been dinner then a get together but the conference team had organised a quiz. They were let down by the venue's technology with the microphone not working but still did an amazing job. A quiz was such a good idea for integrating those who didn't know each other and I hope we're able to do something similar at the next one. This is our quiz team – Fifty Shades of Hedgehog. You can just see me peeking out 2nd from the back on the right. We weren't very good!
One of the sessions on Saturday was run by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York! She has written a couple of historical books in collaboration with Marguerite Kaye, a prolific Mills & Boon author. It was fascinating getting an insight into how they work together and how exciting to be so close to a member of the royal family! Although I did completely embarrass myself just before the session. I'd been in the same lecture theatre for the previous session and came out intending to nip to the toilet before Sarah's session started. The conference organiser, Virginia, came towards me and asked if I was ok and knew where I was going. I responded, "I'm coming into the Duchess's session but do I have time to nip to the loo first?" A voice said, "No, no, okay then if you're quick!" I hadn't realised the Duchess of York was just behind Virginia! My face was apparently an absolute picture!
I got their book – Her Heart for a Compass – signed afterwards and somebody told the Duchess that I was a million-copy bestseller. She gave me a high-five. What a special moment!
Saturday nights have previously been a gala dinner but this year was a much more informal barbeque and disco. My publishers, Boldwood Books, were sponsoring the arrival drinks so the Boldwood authors met up a little earlier. It's always so lovely to see the team and fellow Boldies. Boldwood also brought merch with them – a gorgeous Love Boldly tote bag so perfect for the RNA.
I said from the start that I wasn't going to dance. I normally only frequent the dance floor with several drinks inside me and I didn't want to drink much knowing that my speaker slot was the following morning. As soon as the music started, the Boldwood team pulled me up and that was it – on the dance floor for most of the evening. There was a Photo Booth which was great fun - never been anywhere that has had one of those before – and the DJ played some fabulous tunes.
I was nervous about my slot the following day. I'm not normally nervous about public speaking but, after the amazing quality of sessions so far, I didn't want to be the disappointment. And, would you believe it, I got a nosebleed just before I was due to start! I get them every so often and I think the heat and nerves got me. Thankfully it stopped quickly and I don't think too many of the delegates noticed me hiding behind the desk with a wad of tissues!
The talk went down really well. I was speaking about my journey to publication success but the many bumps along the way, and sharing 10 lessons I've learned which would be helpful for anyone at any stage of their publishing journey. A few delegates caught me afterwards and thanked me for a motivational session which was great as that's what I'd hoped it would be.
I had to leave the conference a tad early for my train so missed the closing session but returned to Scarborough feeling motivated and smiling … but very tired!
A huge thank you to author Virginia Heath and her team who did such an incredible job of organising this conference and making it such a happy experience. The planning that went into this was second to none and I was so impressed with every aspect of it. Already excited to hear details of next year's conference as I'll definitely be there!
Big hugs
Jessica xx