Five more things I learned at the RNA Conference: self-publishing

On the Saturday afternoon of the conference, Ian Skillicorn gave an excellent talk on epublishing. This was one of the most useful sessions of the weekend and I picked up lots of tips.

• Photographic covers are more popular for contemporary romance.

• Use keywords in the book's subtitle.
This will help your book get found on Amazon. You should also put your metadata into your Word file (click on file > properties) before it's converted.

• Have a pricing strategy.
Make a list of similar books to yours, where they are in the sales rank and check their prices - what happens to their rank when the price changes.

• If using Microsoft Word, format your ebook using Word's styles function.
Use a 'Heading' style for chapter headers - this makes it easier when you come to compose your table of contents.

• Your marketing strategy needs to be in place before publication, but don't put links up to your book until it is available.

Thank you to Ian Skillicorn of Corazon Books for his talk on publishing and marketing ebooks.

Five things I learned at the RNA Conference: self-publishing

Last weekend, along with 250 fellow writers, I attended the Romantic Novelists' Association's annual conference. It was a brilliant weekend held at Harper Adams University, near Telford. The food was plentiful and the drinks even more so, but believe it or not as well as all the partying and socialising I did actually learn something (no sniggering at the back).

Over the next few blog posts I'll be looking back at my sketchy notes and picking out some of the things I found particularly useful.

The first lecture I attended was by Talli Roland and Nick Spalding about their experiences with self-publishing.

Photo courtesy of Harper Adams University

• Publish your novel first, THEN have your marketing push. Have your marketing plan in place but don't start promoting your book until readers can click on a link to buy it.

• Make sure you have the license to your book's cover image and fonts.
I knew about the image, but had wrongly assumed it was okay to use free fonts. Check the license of each font you want to use.

• Write an exciting blurb.
So many of the books I see on Amazon, both traditionally published and self-pubbed have no description. How can a reader make a decision to buy it if they don't know what it's about?

• Design an eye-catching cover that works as a thumbnail and in black and white.

• Get your book professionally edited!

Thank you Talli Roland and Nick Spalding for the talk on their reasons behind choosing independent publishing.

On Friday I'll be looking at what I learned from Ian Skillicorn's talk on marketing and self-publishing your ebook.

RNA Conference: my first ever editor pitch

Back home now safe and sound after an excellent weekend in sun-soaked Sheffield at the Romantic Novelists' Association Annual Conference.

I had booked a 1 to 1 slot with a Mills & Boon editor beforehand, but as the dreaded hour grew closer I was more and more panicked by what I'd done.

On the morning of my pitch I felt more nervous than when visiting the dentist. I couldn't eat any breakfast (now that's really nervous for me). I'd rehearsed my pitch until I was word perfect. I knew my theme and I knew my character arcs. But all that angst was for naught. Pippa Roscoe, Acting Assistant Editor for Mills and Boon Modern, was delightful and immediately put me at my ease. My pitch was unnecessary and she plunged straight into telling me what she thought about my 1st chapter and synopsis.

The good news is my chapter wasn't awful and I wasn't publicly humiliated and thrown out of the conference. So thank you Pippa for being so kind and it was lovely to meet you.

And the winner is...

Last night at a glittering reception, Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley announced the five category winners who will contest the prestigious Romantic Novel of the Year.

Sarah Mallory won The RoNA Rose Award with Beneath the Major's Scars

Contemporary Romantic Novel winner - Katie Fforde
Epic Romantic Novel winner - Rowan Coleman
Historical Romantic Novel winner - Charlotte Betts
Romantic Comedy Novel winner - Jenny Colgan
Young Adult Romantic Novel Winner - Victoria Lamb
Sophie Kinsella was presented with Outstanding Achievement Award

The winning novels will now be read and judged by five independent industry experts, and the overall winner will be revealed at the Romantic Novelists' Association's (RNA) Summer Party on 16 May 2013.

Annie Ashurst, current RNA Chair, told the capacity gathering of some 250 romantic fiction authors, publishers and guests how proud the Association was of its finalists and winners.

"Tonight we are here to celebrate the success of our brightest stars. We are proud of their talent, tenacity and dedication to their craft. It is a lonely thing to write a novel, and to keep on going even as doubts set in - as they do with us all. Our Awards give us an opportunity to publicly recognising the enjoyment you bring to your readers. Congratulations to you all."

Long-time RNA member, Sophie Kinsella, was honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Award for her continued contribution to the world of romantic fiction.

The category winners 2013
Katie Fforde won the Contemporary Category for the second year running with Recipe for Love. This category is for mainstream romantic novels set after 1960. The other competing authors included Veronica Henry, Mhairi McFarlane, Monica McInerney, Sue Moorcroft and Polly Williams.

In the Epic Category, which deals with issues or themes including multi-generational novels, Rowan Coleman triumphed with Dearest Rose. Other finalists included Madeline Miller, Dilly Court, Kate Moreton, Gill Paul and Liz Trenow.

Finalists in the Historical Category (set before 1960) included Charlotte Betts, Christina Courtenay, Kate Furnivall, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanne Kearsley and Mary Nichols. Charlotte Betts was declared the winner with her novel The Apothecary's Daughter.

In the Romantic Comedy Category, for consistently humorous or amusing novels, the finalists included Jenny Colgan, Victoria Connelly, Jane Costello, Nicola Doherty, Belinda Jones and Jane Wenham-Jones.  Jenny Colgan claimed victory with Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop of Dreams.

The Young Adult Category features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults and the shortlist this year included Jo Cotterill, Laura Jarratt, Marie-Louise Jensen, Victoria Lamb, Sarra Manning and Susan Waggoner.  Victoria Lamb was declared winner with her book Witchstruck.

The RoNA Rose Award, which recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focuses on a developing love affair between hero and heroine, was presented for the second year running to Sarah Mallory, author of Beneath the Major's Scars. Her rivals included: Fiona Harper, Heidi Rice, Carol Townend, and Scarlett Wilson, who had two books nominated. This category does not go forward to contest the Romantic Novel of the Year.

Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists. Can't wait for the Summer Party.

Pure Passion 2011 : Romantic Novel of the Year Shortlist

The RNA Pure Passion Awards celebrate the very best in romantic fiction. Over 200 titles were submitted for this year’s four categories, from the long-standing and hotly-contested Romantic Novel of the Year, to more recent additions which recognise the breadth of romantic fiction – the Historical Novel Prize, Romantic Comedy Award, and Love Story of the Year.

‘This year’s short list represents the whole gamut of romantic fiction,’ said Katie Fforde, RNA Chair. ‘We have royalty, love letters, history and humour, from both newcomers and established authors. A truly impressive list.’

The Romantic Novel of the Year shortlist of six titles has been selected by a panel of 85 readers from the general public. The winner will be selected by three independent judges – Amanda Craig, author and book reviewer, Foyle’s War actor and contributor to the blog Vulpes Libris, Jay Benedict, and fiction buyer for Waterstone’s, Janine Cook.

The shortlist, in alphabetical order by author name, is:

• To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Sphere)
• The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean (HarperCollins)
• Kissing Mr Wrong by Sarah Duncan (Headline Review)
• The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (Sphere)
• Amazir by Tom Gamble (Beautiful Books)
• The Last Letter From Your Lover by JoJo Moyes (Hodder & Stoughton)

The Romantic Comedy Prize shortlist:

• The Way to a Woman’s Heart by Christina Jones (Piatkus)
• I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk (HarperCollins)
• Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (Bantam Press)
• Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell (Headline Review)
• Katy Carter Wants A Hero by Ruth Saberton (Orion)
• A Date in your Diary by Jules Stanbridge (Little Black Dress)

Historical Novel Prize shortlist:

• To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Sphere)
• Trade Winds by Christina Courtenay (Choc Lit)
• The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean (HarperCollins)
• The Wayward Governess by Joanna Fulford (Mills & Boon Historical)
• The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (Sphere)
• Heart of Stone by Jane Jackson (Severn House)

The Love Story of the Year shortlist:

• The Piratical Miss Ravenhurst by Louise Allen (Mills & Boon Historical)
• Mother of the Bride by Caroline Anderson (Mills & Boon Romance)
• Bride in a Gilded Cage by Abby Green (Mills & Boon Modern)
• Moving On by Valerie Holmes (Linford Romance)
• Fortunate Wager by Jan Jones (Robert Hale)
• The Captain’s Mysterious Lady by Mary Nichols (Mills & Boon Historical)

The winners for each award will be named at the Pure Passion Awards 2011, Monday, 7th March 2011 at a champagne reception at One Whitehall Place, Westminster.

Read more here and here.

Congratulations to everyone on the shortlists and to those who were on the longlist. Well done!

Pure Passion 2011 : Romantic Novel of the Year Long List

The longlist for the 51st Romantic Novel of the Year Award has been announced:

• To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Little, Brown - Sphere)
• The Good, the Bad and the Dumped by Jenny Colgan (Little, Brown - Sphere)
• The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean (HarperCollins)
• Sons & Daughters by Margaret Dickinson (Pan MacMillan)
• Kissing Mr. Wrong by Sarah Duncan (Headline)
• A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde (Random House)
• The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (Little, Brown - Sphere)
• Amazir by Tom Gamble (Beautiful Books)
• The Island by Elin Hilderbrand (Hodder & Stoughton)
• The Queen of New Beginnings by Erica James (Orion)
• The Way to a Woman’s Heart by Christina Jones (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
• I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk (HarperCollins)
• His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm (Little, Brown - Sphere)
• Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour by Lisa Kleypas (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
• The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes (Hodder & Stoughton)
• Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien (Mira)
• Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
• The Search by Nora Roberts (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
• The Legacy by Katherine Webb (Orion)
• Hope Against Hope by Sally Zigmond (Myrmidon)

It's great to see Christina Jones on the list as she is such a sweetie.

Huge congratulations to everyone and good luck with the shortlist. Wish you could all win.

Read more here.

RNA Winter Party - Celebrating 50 glorious years and the New Writers' Scheme

After weeks of feverish anticipation the day of the Romantic Novelists' Association Winter Party finally arrived.

My friend Jules and I set off on the train excited about attending our first big RNA event. Finishing touches were put to hair and makeup enroute, so apologies to everyone for the smell of nail varnish on the 16:56 to Euston.

The beautiful IMechE Library

Number One Birdcage Walk is a very impressive building with an even more impressive library. The perfect (and extremely hot) venue for the party.

Organiser Jan Jones, Chair Katie Fforde,
President Di Pearson

I apologise for the lack of shoe photos. It was very remiss of me, especially as there was some gorgeous footwear on display.

It was lovely to meet so many Romna, blog and Twitter friends and I can't wait for the next RNA event to do it all over again.

Cara Cooper and friends

Unfortunately there were people I saw from afar who escaped my clutches left before I could get round to saying hello. 200 people attended, so even if the party had lasted another 3 hours it wouldn't have been possible to speak to everyone that I wanted to. As it was we were pretty much among the last to leave.

Even having to stand up for most of the journey home packed shoulder to shoulder with a lot of very subdued England fans (don't think the game went too well) could dampen our mood.

I feel privileged to be part of the New Writers' Scheme during the RNA's 50th anniversary year. The Winter Party was truly a fantastic evening, so thanks RNA. You are still 'Fabulous at Fifty'.

There are some lovely photos of the party on the RNA blog

Fabulous at Fifty

Fabulous at Fifty, a memoir of the first half century of the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA), will be launched at the RAF Club in London on Thursday. Fabulous at Fifty delves into the past, with first-hand recollections of people who were there, and describes the growth of the Romantic Novelists’ Association into what was described by PD James at a recent Awards ceremony as ‘one of most professional writers’ organisations of the present day’.

The book is packed with fascinating and frank detail about past and present members, the opinion of other novelists (often less than flattering) about this massively successful commercial genre, the changing attitude to sex and a public broadside from Marje Proops in the Mirror, plus the spats, the flaps, the End of Publishing as we Know It (1968), hot books and cold champagne.

The book is published by the RNA at £9.99 and is available from their website www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org

The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Well done RNA and here's to another 50 years.