Thursday, April 21, 2011

Romantic Novelists' Association

Yay for the RNA!

If you live in the UK or Ireland and you write novels with a romantic element, I strongly suggest joining the RNA. They have a wonderful New Writers' Scheme, where unpublished writers can attend all RNA events and get their MS appraised. I took advantage of the scheme a few years ago, and I received wonderfully detailed, helpful feedback that definitely took my writing to the next level.

I'm now a full member, and I've been lucky enough to attend last year's conference, several parties and London chapter meetings. I have to say that I've never met such a supportive, friendly group of people. Interacting with other members -- both in person and online -- has been a great learning experience, and I'm always stunned at the collective level of expertise within the group.

A big thank you to everyone in the RNA who has made me feel so welcome.

Tomorrow kicks off the four-day weekend here in the UK, and while I'll be posting for the A to Z Challenge (Rose Cooper's here tomorrow!), I may not be commenting with my usual fervour. So... happy holidays to all, and have a fantastic long weekend!
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51 comments:

  1. Unknown21 April 2011 at 10:19

    The RNA is brilliant!!!
    lx

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  2. Glynis Peters 21 April 2011 at 10:19

    If I still lived in UK, I would have loved to join. Mind, if I still lived in the UK, I would be on 12hr night shifts, writing patient notes and not writing novels!

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  3. Li21 April 2011 at 10:20

    Not in the UK :(( You have a great long weekend too!

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  4. Unknown21 April 2011 at 10:21

    Nothing like that here, but it sounds great.

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  5. Sally Clements21 April 2011 at 10:21

    Did you see the RNA blog today? Shortlist for the Joan Hessayon Award... and I'm on it! woo! http://bit.ly/aXn6l

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  6. Talli Roland21 April 2011 at 10:23

    Liz, it is indeed!

    Glynis, there's always a trade-off, isn't there?

    Li - actually, I think non-UK people can join, too...

    Siv - it is great.

    Sally - I SAW!!!! Congrats! So will I meet you at the Summer Party, then? Can't wait!

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  7. Liz Harris21 April 2011 at 10:25

    I echo everything you said. The RNA is fantastic!!

    See you at the Summer Party and the Conference.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Liz X

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  8. Ellen Brickley21 April 2011 at 10:36

    Cheers for the heads-up, Talli. I don't write romance myself but it's a genre I would love to write in the future :) And it's always nice to see an association the Irish can join, we're ineligible for everything!

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  9. Naina Gupta21 April 2011 at 10:51

    Happy Easter Talli!

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  10. Fenella J Miller21 April 2011 at 11:13

    Totally agree -the RNA is an excellent organisation. I wouldn't have so many wonderful friends without it.

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  11. Rachel Lyndhurst21 April 2011 at 11:35

    I've just joined the RNA as a full member,Talli, so see you at the party!!!

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  12. RHYTHM AND RHYME21 April 2011 at 11:42

    I didn't know such an assocciation existed, but as I don't write stories/novels that's probably the reason.
    Thanks for letting all who do write seriously know.
    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.,

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  13. Old Kitty21 April 2011 at 11:42

    "London Chapter Meetings" - sounds like a hell's angel meet with roses and chocolate!!!

    But seriously!!! Yay for the RNA!!! Yay for you being a member!! Yay for the 4 day weekend - yay!!! :-)

    take care
    x

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  14. Alex J. Cavanaugh21 April 2011 at 12:09

    I don't live in the UK. Or write romance. But I'd join because I bet there's lots of women!

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  15. L. Diane Wolfe21 April 2011 at 13:31

    Sounds like the USA's Romance Writers of America, and they do a lot for their members.

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  16. Anne21 April 2011 at 13:43

    Too bad I don't live in the UK, I would love to join!
    Happy Holidays to you! Enjoy your weekend.

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  17. Ann21 April 2011 at 14:25

    Ohhh I must look into this for when I am home. Enjoy the Bank Holiday.

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  18. Talei21 April 2011 at 14:31

    Oh I will definitely join up! I thought it was for published authors only, thanks for the heads up Talli! And have a fab Easter break. ;-)

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  19. Anonymous21 April 2011 at 14:51

    That sounds like a wonderful organization.

    BTW, love what you've done to your blog! Very pretty.

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  20. Anonymous21 April 2011 at 14:55

    Haven't heard of the RNA. Sounds like a great organization--It's so important to have a supportive network.

    Have a great weekend!!! (I'm jealous you get three days, LOL!)

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  21. Bish Denham21 April 2011 at 14:59

    I guess it's almost Easter where you are. Have a great week-end.

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  22. notesfromnadir21 April 2011 at 15:30

    Congrats on being a full fledged member of the RNA! Those kinds of organizations are very helpful + you get to meet all kinds of fun people!

    HAPPY EASTER! :)

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  23. Anonymous21 April 2011 at 15:32

    Yay for the RNA! HAPPY EASTER Talli :O)

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  24. Helen Ginger21 April 2011 at 15:35

    I don't write Romance, but I went to a local RWA (Romance Writers of American, I believe) and found everyone there to be amazingly helpful and nice. Must run in the blood of Romance writers worldwide!

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  25. Creepy Query Girl21 April 2011 at 15:39

    awe, that's great! What a great associate to be a part of!

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  26. Suze21 April 2011 at 15:40

    I like the way you stated 'collective level of expertise.' Just like the blogosphere itself, the whole is greater, cooler, smarter and better than the sum of its parts. :)

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  27. Hilary Melton-Butcher21 April 2011 at 15:49

    Hi Talli .. good to know about the RNA .. and the fun times, as well as the professional feedback etc ..

    Enjoy the weekend .. cheers Hilary

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  28. Elizabeth Mueller21 April 2011 at 16:09

    Sounds like a place to be and SO much fun! Thanks for sharing the wealth! <3

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

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  29. Matthew MacNish21 April 2011 at 16:15

    That sounds delightful!

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  30. Heather21 April 2011 at 16:36

    It sounds like an excellent organization! Congrats on joining. By the way I love the new look of your site!

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  31. William Kendall21 April 2011 at 16:58

    Have a good easter!

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  32. Empty Nest Insider21 April 2011 at 17:26

    The RNA sounds like a wonderful organization. Have a fabulous holiday! Julie

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  33. Olga21 April 2011 at 17:42

    Happy Easter Talli! Have a great long weekend. Thank you; it would be very interesting to see what the RNA will be up to.

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  34. Chris Phillips21 April 2011 at 17:53

    Sounds like a cool group/community. I'm pretty sure I don't qualify.

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  35. Karen Lange21 April 2011 at 18:07

    Sounds like a wonderful group! Have a great weekend! :)

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  36. Southpaw21 April 2011 at 18:18

    That’s really cool. It sounds so helpful.

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  37. Ella21 April 2011 at 19:39

    How wonderful; sounds like an amazing group!

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  38. Theresa Milstein21 April 2011 at 20:31

    Thought RNA would be more about science, and was relieved to see it's not. How great you found an organization where you feel welcome.

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  39. Shannon O'Donnell21 April 2011 at 20:36

    This is the perfect "R" for you! Yay! :-)

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  40. notesfromnadir21 April 2011 at 20:44

    Talli,
    Just wanted to let you know that your book is available on Amazon.de

    Here's the link:

    http://www.amazon.de/The-Hating-Game-ebook/dp/B004CLYIO2/ref=tmm_kin_img_popover?ie=UTF8&m=A11MW6AJTK8WZ7&qid=1303414919&sr=1-1

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  41. Michael Di Gesu21 April 2011 at 21:11

    Same to you Talli! IT's WINE o'clock all weekend!

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  42. Laura21 April 2011 at 21:17

    I'm going to have to take a closer look at the RNA - always thought that you had to be a published writer for it to be applicable. Have a lovely weekend Talli
    Lxxx

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  43. Tony Payne21 April 2011 at 21:29

    The RNA sounds good. I am working on my first book right now, a historical novel, but I would like to maybe work on a romantic novel next.

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  44. Anonymous21 April 2011 at 21:57

    Couldn't agree more - what a lovely bunch of people. Yay indeed for RNA xxx

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  45. kjmckendry21 April 2011 at 23:00

    Happy long Easter weekend!

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  46. Denise Covey 21 April 2011 at 23:44

    You have a great time at the RNA Talli. It sounds wonderful.

    Denise<3

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  47. Jo Schaffer Layton22 April 2011 at 00:16

    Awesome to find a good support group-- the synergy is fantastic for the muse.
    Have a great weekend! (=

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  48. Susan Fields22 April 2011 at 02:27

    Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Talli!

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  49. Susan Fields22 April 2011 at 02:27

    Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Talli!

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  50. Samantha Vérant22 April 2011 at 07:17

    Yay for RNA! But I don't live in London or Ireland, nor do I write romance.

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  51. Rhonda Albom23 April 2011 at 14:38

    Congratulations Talli.

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Coffee and wine for all!

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