Annie goes to Hollywood

Actually, being an honest soul (unlike some I could mention) I went to Penrith and stayed in student accommodation at Lancaster University, where the rooms were so sophisticated they actually had wet rooms - which meant you could go to the toilet, shower and wash your hands all at the same time. I'm having one fitted in my own home even as I blog. However, unusually, I digress. Geographically, it might not have been the big H, but with so many wonderful, famous authors, editors and agents flitting around, overcoming their nerves to chat to me, it was glitzier than the big H could ever be.

I am not going to do what Amanda Ashby did and name-drop, suffice to say, Katie Fford, I loved chatting to you in the coffee queue, and Kate Walker, it was great to put a face to the name, and especially nice of you to introduce me to your good friend, Michelle Reid, whilst Penny Jordan, I must say you looked more gorgeous than ever. As for you, Jan Jones, I have never seen anyone seem so relaxed and look so happy whilst working so hard for so long. I could go on, but none of Imogen's new slinky dresses are quite the right shade of green to go with her skin tone any more.

So, how can I sum up what the RNA conference 2006 meant to me - a first timer and unpublished (apart from a few bits & pieces - I only mention that in case there are any potential agents/publishers reading this - optimist? Moi?) writer? It meant workshops run by professionals who had given up their time not only to attend the conference itself, but to prepare for the same; it meant meeting established authors, editors and agents who invited attendees to chat with them on a one-to-one basis at any time during the weekend - even during coffee and meal breaks; it meant making new friends and sharing our hopes, dreams and aspirations and promising to meet up again next year, so we could greet each other in the lobby with hugs and smiles like all those who'd been before us. But most of all it was a lesson in just how hard the RNA work to help those like me who dare to dream that one day we might be published authors too. I, for one, cannot thank them enough for giving me one of the best weekends of my life.

As yet, I cannot put anything back in, but I can ask, on behalf of the RNA, whether anyone reading this has any contacts in the business world who might be interested in sponsoring the RNA's Romantic Novel of the Year Award, as last year's sponsors are no longer involved. If so, please contact the RNA direct.

Oh yes, and Jenny Haddon, I meant what I said - it really was the best RNA conference I have ever attended.