A Virtual Romance Festival for Readers and Writers - 7-8 June...

This week it's back to work. I'll be resuming the novella edit, as well as starting on with a few other projects.

I've also signed up to next weekend's first virtual Romance Festival, taking place online - you do need to register, but it's FREE. Register on the Eventbrite page here.

Once you've signed up you can find out more, but just in case you're not convinced I'll give you a little more information. :D

This virtual festival is for both aspiring writers and those already established, and readers too; a way we can all celebrate romance, discover new authors, and books, and getting them to the readers.

Authors from Harper Impulse, Mills and Boon, Avon- both UK and US, and Piatkus, Carina and independents will be taking part- something for everyone...

Saturday is the author spotlight;  Sunday the reader spotlight.

For writers it will be a day to develop your skills. I'm looking forward to the book covers and elements on marketing and PR, to name a few.

Readers, there'll be give-aways, insights into writers and their books, and I quote, "Hot men!" :D

No doubt by the time next weekend arrives there will have been a lot more added, as this virtual festival is being supported by the RNA, various romance publishers not already mentioned, and numerous authors; a few names I certainly recognise: Jill Mansell, Carole Matthews, Eloisa James, Phillipa Ashley, Jessica Blair, and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

And there's lots more.

Whether we're writers of romance, or just readers of romance, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

If you want to find out more then have a look at their social media links.

On Facebook it's /RomanceFestival

Twitter: @RomanceFestival

Website: see the Eventbrite link at the top.

Bath: Part 3, Saturday - Royal Crescent and Jane Austen...

If you're finding these posts a bit longer than you like to read, apologies. There is so much that I've not included  in them, and pictures that I haven't used, but I do want any readers who can't get to Bath personally, to be able to glimpse some of the many delights there.

*   *   *

After I left the Assembly Rooms, it was a brief walk from one side of The Circus to the other and I was at the corner of the Royal Crescent overlooking Victoria Park- full of people enjoying the sunshine and the green space...

No.1 Royal Crescent is in a corner position, so there's some spectacular views from the windows.
(This link contains some interesting information, including about the most recent work to reunite the service wing to the house after many years of separation. It is all owned and managed by the Bath Preservation Trust.)

The Royal Crescent was, and probably still is, a desirable address. No.1's first (known) resident in 1776, was Irish landowner Henry Sandford; and the lengthy restoration has taken it back to its 18th century décor that would have been familiar to Sandford and his guests.

Each room displayed appropriate furnishings and design for the time period, and there was a volunteer guide in each room to explain about it and answer questions. I'm sure horror writers would love the Cabinet of Curiosities, but I found it a bit unsettling...

The stairs were very comfortable to climb, as the depth of the riser was lower than stairs nowadays, and the handrail was a perfect height for me to lightly rest my hand as I sedately ascended to the next floor, so easy to imagine past ladies walking upstairs in their big dresses. :D

It was unfortunate that in the Gentleman's Bedroom, the Dressing Room was not used. Perhaps that will be done in the future...But I loved the wallpaper and carpet with their strong blues, and they wouldn't look out of place today.

I was running out of time so had a quick look at the exhibition gallery that was hosting the 'Portrait of a Lady? Ruin and Reputation in the Georgian Era'. On this link you can see a wall of portraits, they were a mixture of aristocratic and upper class women mixed with high class courtesans and actresses among the prints, with the question, which one is a lady?



Then I was off to my next stop...



Taking the Gravel Walk from the Crescent down toward Gay Street - was a long held wish- ever since it appeared in a scene in my first unfinished novel (due to needing to learn more). It is a lovely walk, away from the noise of the traffic, but there isn't much gravel left! (There is a level tarmac path down the middle.)

 The Jane Austin Centre at No.40 Gay Street is tiny in comparison to the Crescent, and even the hotel I stayed at in Henrietta Street (built in the late 1780's).

The Greeters...

There's a tearoom on the top floor, and the visit starts on the first floor. Each tour is about 20 minutes apart, and I was fortunate to arrive a few minutes before the next one. All the staff are dressed in costume, and the guide doing my tour was 'Georgiana Darcy'.

After an introduction about Jane and her time in Bath with her family, we went back downstairs into the exhibition area (this is where the garden once was, but was extended into during the 20th century).

It was busy on the afternoon I visited, so it was a bit more difficult to go slowly through the first part of the displays, but once you got into the more spacious section there was a lot more- as you'll see from my photos.

The Haberdashers

Taking Tea

You could even try on some costumes and there was a pre-set drawing room scene, and the staff would take your photo with your camera (yes, that woman in blue looking like a dubious chaperone is me)...

Who is that lady?

The final stage is more of a traditional display room, images and memorabilia from films and tv dramatisation of Jane Austin books.

Some visiting children seemed very taken by the writing desk and the ink and quills. So once they finished I sat down and picked up a fresh card from the rack, dipped the big quill in purple ink and began writing- had to do a lot of dipping... It was not easy, and it increased my admiration for Jane Austen- writing her novels by hand...







I popped into the shop and bought a mouse mat; but it's just too much fun to use for that purpose. If you saw the TV version of P&P with Colin Firth, then you'll understand... :D

Mr Darcy mouse mat from the Jane Austin Centre

Then it was off again to meet up with a fellow writer for a chat and dinner.



So many museums, not enough time. But I did get through the three places I wanted to see...