This year’s RNA conference was held at the conference centre of Sheffield University, curiously named The Edge. As always the conference was superb and ran like clock-work, aside from a few hick-ups which were no one’s fault, and which we all took in our stride (like broken air conditioning in sweltering heat…).
Writers on The Edge…
The workshops were great, and I particularly enjoyed Melinda Hammond’s talk on procrastination (something I do a LOT – hmm), and Fiona Harper’s lecture on the structure of the romantic novel. The best thing about the conference, however, is catching up with old friends and making new ones. Because I was one of the contacts for the first time conference-goers, I had the privilege of talking to people I might otherwise not have thought to approach, and one them even bought my book!
By the end my head was buzzing, and although I was relieved to be home, I was also a little sad that it was over so quickly. I’ll leave you with some photos from the conference which I hope speak for themselves.
Roll on #RNAConf2014!
The conference centre
Residential block E (my window is on the 1st floor to the left)
View from the kitchen window – glorious sunshine!
Goody bags being packed by volunteers
All 180 of them!
Relaxing in the bar (a must!), with Jane Lovering, Sarah Callejo, Chris Stovell, Christina Courtenay, Janet Gover, Rhoda Baxter & Kate Thomson
Melinda Hammond giving her talk
Friday night kitchen party!
Was delighted to see my new book in the conference bookshop
Adrienne Vaughan, Lizzie Lamb, Cathy Mansell and Margaret Kaine enjoying a shaded spot on Saturday afternoon
Chris Stovell and Janet Gover at the gala dinner on Saturday night
Anna Boatman (from Piatkus Entice) and Jenny Barden sat across from me at the gala dinner
Kate Johnson (on the right) wins the Elizabeth Goudge trophy
The food at the conference was slightly, ahem, inventive, but this vanilla cheesecake was truly delicious!
My handbag for the gala dinner was much admired (hands off, everybody!)
Back at the kitchen Biddy Coady raises a glass to a wonderful conference. I second that!
Henriette Gyland 
Great handbag!!! Sorry to have missed it. And the conference … x
Next year, Victoria! It’ll be in Shropshire as far as I know.
I want that handbag!
I told you, Alison, hands off! 😀
Great blog, Henri. I have that same handbag!
In that case, we must get them together! My handbag feels very sad it’s never met anyone quite like itself 🙂
It was a wonderful conference, I love the pictures, and I had a fab time. And it was lovely meeting up with everyone.
Lorraine x
And weren’t we just super lucky with the weather? I loved it, despite the heat. A bit sun-starved, me 😉
Sorry I didn’t make the conference this year but thanks for sharing the pictures. I was excited to see Up Close in the crime section in Blackwells and I am looking forward to reading it.
Heather
Yes, such a shame you couldn’t be there, Heather, but hopefully next year. Thanks for telling me Up Close was in Blackwells – I’m very excited about that!
Hx
Ooh, I have serious handbag envy… and to think I was sitting right next to it! Lovely to catch up with you, Henri! x