When I read the blog written by The Romantic Novelists’ president Sue Moorcroft about what the RNA meant to her, it made me think about the benefits I’ve gained from being a member. I’ve been published for almost forty years, but for the first twenty odd years I wrote for teenage and children’s magazines and children’s books, under my own name of Karen King. Later, I had my first romance, Never Say Forever published as a Pocket Novel by People’s Friend, then republished by a small American Press, along with my second romance novel, The Millionaire Plan. They were both published under the pen-name of Kay Harborne. It was at this point that I joined the RNA.

It was attending my first RNA conference, with my writer friend Ann Evans, that gave me the opportunity to progress my career as a romance author, and to get my books into bookstores. The RNA conference is held every year for a long weekend, and gives members the opportunity to attend workshops to enhance their writing skills, meet other members and have one to one sessions with editors and agents – as well as meet other authors, attend the famous kitchen parties and get dolled up for the Gala Dinner.

I wrote up a synopsis for a romance novel and booked a one to one session with a couple of publishers, one being Choc Lit, the other being Accent Press. They both liked the idea and asked me to send them the full manuscript. I’d actually only written the synopsis at this point but I wrote like mad and sent it off. Accent Press replied first offering me a three book contract, and to republish my two earlier novels, this time under the name of Karen King as they wanted to build my brand. I was delighted to accept. By the time I went to the RNA conference the next year the contract had been signed and sealed. When I went to the RNA conference the following year the first book of that contract, I do…or do I? was on sale!

These books have now all been republished by Headline Accent, along with three other romances. I’ve also had three romances (and five thrillers) published by Bookouture, making a total of eleven romantic novels now.  So it’s thanks to the RNA that I became published by one of the five top publishers (both Headline and Bookouture are part of the Hachette Publishing Group).

Going to the conferences gave me the opportunity to meet some bestselling authors – I’ll never forget the fan girl moment of sitting next to Mandy Baggot at a writing workshop, and standing next to Katie Fforde in the dinner queue, and talking to Sue Moorcroft (who I already knew) and her lovely agent – as well as editors and agents. Everyone was so generous with their time and advice. Wanting to pay back I volunteered to be the RNA blog co-ordinator for a while. I now write both romance novels and psychological thrillers, my tagline being ‘writing about the light and dark of relationships’.

So if you’re a romantic novelist and wondering whether to go to a conference I’d definitely say go for it. I live in Spain now so haven’t been for a few years, but I’ll be back.

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