Romantic Novel of The Year
Last updated: 07/11/2007 - 09:39
Q: *What's the most romantic thing that's ever happened to you?:
A: Being driven onto the pavement outside a theatre so you didn't get wet in the rain? A handsome date arriving on a white horse, in full military dress? A kiss under moonlight on the top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh from a Scottish stranger?
Pictured (right): Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon in the film Just Like Heaven based upon the romantic novel If Only It Were True by Marc Levy.
Who says romance is dead? These heart-stopping moments are all true stories from members of the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) - which will announce its shortlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2008 in January.
The 2008 judges include comedienne Helen Lederer, Good Housekeeping magazine Books Editor Kerry Fowler, and Chris Rushby, Buying Director of book wholesaler Bertram Books.
Last year's winner was Rosie Thomas who scooped the award with her best-selling novel Iris & Ruby - an unforgettable and atmospheric story of a grandmother reliving her romantic past through her rebellious granddaughter.
The 2008 winner will be announced at the Award Lunch 4 February at the Royal GardenHotel, Kensington – just in time for Valentine's Day. The prize will be £1,000, although as we all know, you cannot put a price on true love...
The Romantic Novelists Association is unique in that it is open to both unpublished and published writers. Well-known authors like Katie Fforde and Joanna Trollope generously give their time to help others achieve their dream of getting published.
The RNA, which was set up in 1960, holds regular talks and workshops throughout the country. It also offers a critique service for new writers who want help with manuscripts. Famous RNA members include Penny Jordan, Elizabeth Chadwick, Anita Burgh, Maureen Lee and Alan Titchmarsh, who has just joined.
Q: * And the least romantic moment..?
A: "When I was 14, my father opened the front door to Big Martha, queen of the school bus top deck," recalls Roger Sanderson who writes novels for Mills & Boon as Gill Sanderson. 'Does Roger want to come to my Valentine party tonight?' she asked. It wasn't so much a question as a threat. 'Certainly,' replied my father with whom I'd just fallen out. 'I'll make sure he's there.'
Roger has refused to celebrate Valentine's Day ever since.
The Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) was set up in 1960 to promote respect for the genre and to encourage excellence. Full membership is open to authors who have published a romantic novel. Aspiring writers are admitted as probationary members. In 2005, an RNA team beat teams from Wisden and The Economist on BBC TVs University Challenge - The Professionals, only going down to the Privy Council in the final. For more information visit: www.rna-uk.org
My significant other putting packs of sweeties at the back of my keyboard for me to find on my arrival at work always makes me smile, and helped me get through the day. Life is sweet.
Lorraine Carter, HMRC, posted on 12/11/2007 at 11:55