Monday 11 June 2012

Pocket Novels and RNA Conference

If anyone hasn't seen the new guidelines for My Weekly Pocket Novels, you'll find them on Sally Quilford's blog, where you can download the Pdf. Interesting to see the new look and a couple of new categories - length 50,000 words. I think perhaps it's making them even more competitive with M&B now.

On Saturday, I was delighted to receive my pack for the RNA Conference at Penrith in mid July. This is the furthest north the conference comes (every few years) so it's ideal for those of us up in Scotland. I've only been once before when it was last in Penrith, but I was a complete rookie at the time in the New Writing Scheme. I loved every minute and I'm looking forward to it even more this year as I've 'met' so many lovely RNA members online and it will be great to see some in person.

The programme is excellent, including the oportunity for a one-to-one with a couple of publisher's editors. It's a full weekend and I've already signed up to all the sessions I want to attend. Methinks my brain will be buzzing for a long time after the weekend, not to mention all the chatting. And guess who is speaking at one of the sessions? Maggie Seed from My Weekly Pocket Novels - and yes, I'm going to hear her. I'll report back afterwards.

Better start getting my mainstream novel knocked into shape for my one-to-one appointment!

Rosemary

10 comments:

Paula Martin said...

I wish now I'd remembered to book for the conference!
It was interesting to see My Weekly have upped the word count for their pocket novels. Back in the 70's they serialised one of my novels in the magazine and then abridged it to about 20K for a pocket novel!

Anonymous said...

Have a great time and say "Hi" to Seedy for me! TangoQueen

Joan Fleming said...

Like you, Rosemary, I'm looking forward to the RNA conference. Unfortunately, I was too late to book a one-to-one with the editor I wanted to meet - I think she was booked up within 24 hours! But I'm sure I'll enjoy the conference anyway.

Talli Roland said...

Yay! Can't wait to see you there!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Paula - I wish you were going! Maybe you could still get a place?

Will do, TQ!

That's a shame, Joan - I thought they'd go very quickly!

Me too, Talli - so glad you're going!

Anita Chapman said...

Hope you have a great time at the RNA conference Rosemary! I'll be sad to miss it as it clashes with our family hol. Hopefully next year!

Angela Barton said...

I will be crossing my fingers for you Rosemary for your one-to-one meeting. I've done it before and found it quite nerve-racking. Very good luck and enjoy yourself. Sadly I can't join NWS as I have an agent. Have fun.

Angela xx

Joanna said...

I'm sure you'll have a very enjoyable and interesting time there. I'll look forward to all your news afterwards. Best of luck with your meeting and I hope it goes really well. Have lots of fun. x

Carolb said...

Hope the one-to-one goes well, Rosemary.

Will look forward to hearing your report on Maggie Seed's session.

But I'm sure you'll have a great time at the RNA conference.
Enjoy. :-)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Sorry I won't get to meet you this time, Anita!

Thanks, Ange - I'm not in the NWS either now as I already have two books published with Canadian publishers, but would like my mainstream novels out in the UK. At least I'll get to speak to someone!

Thanks, Joanna - It's going to be fun!

Thanks - I'll hopefully write a report on it all afterwards, Carol!