Catching up on Romance...

Well spring is bursting out so romance should be too-hopefully...

Actually this is a follow up to an earlier post on whether men can write romance. This followed the announcement that a man was in the shortlist for the RNA's (Romantic Novelists' Association) 2011 Romantic Novel of the Year.

The winner was announced at a reception last week. The winning novel, 'The Last Letter from your Lover' by Jojo Moyes.

Other awards presented on the night were Outstanding Achievement Awards to Josephine Cox and Penny Jordan (I've read a large number of her Mills and Boon books over the years and enjoyed them all).

Nottinghamshire author Elizabeth Chadwick received the Historical Novel Prize for 'To Defy a King'. I've met Elizabeth and know how intensively she does the research for her books.

The Romantic Comedy Prize went to Jill Mansell for her book 'Take a Chance on Me'.

While Louise Allen received the Love Story of the Year for her Mills and Boon historical 'The Piratical Miss Ravenhurst'. This award is for a category romance. Louise Allen is one of the authors for the Historical Romance UK blog.

You might like to read all about the RNA and the awards reception and see the pictures from the event, so look here.

The RNA even has a blog that you might like to follow.

If you want a good read I can certainly recommend their 'Loves Me, Loves Me Not' Anthology. I bought it as an e-book (rather than the paperback) and I've still got a few stories left to read- the book would make a great gift for Mother's Day next month.

Japan and how we can all help...

I don't think many of us haven't seen the pictures of the devestation caused by the Earthquake and Tsuanami in Japan that have been shown on every news programme, in every newspaper and online.

In previous disasters writers have shown their willingness to help raise money, so as before writers are stepping forward to help.

Many thanks to Womag on her blog for providing the link to Keris Stainton's site- here is Keris' idea-

"If you’re an author or a publishing professional willing to contribute something to be auctioned in aid of Japan, I’d love to hear from you. I’m thinking proofs/ARC, books, naming a character, swag, chapter/query letter/synopsis critiques, even writer mentoring."

She will have a dedicated website up next week.

Now you may not have anything you can contribute but you can bid for the items/services when it is organised...