Celebrating 60 Years of the RNA

In the year Penguin Books was found not guilty of obscenity in the Lady Chatterley's Lover legal case, something else significant was happening in the romantic fiction world.

Frustration had been brewing for some time that the romance genre was not being shown the same respect awarded to other genres. It was often felt that romantic fiction writers were seen as the poor relation in the literary world and their readers treated with equal contempt.

Determined to celebrate and promote romantic fiction, and gain the respect the genre deserved, authors Denise Robins, Barbara Cartland, Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson and Rosamunde Pilcher founded The Romantic Novelists Association.

Over the decades, the RNA has grown in author membership. Today it also welcomes publishing professionals, booksellers, book reviewers and writers who are published in other media formats. The widening of their membership is not the only change the RNA has made in recent times, and it is thanks to its ability to constantly evolve that has helped to make it still relevant and popular today.

As well as hosting numerous workshops, talks and networking events, it also organises the Romantic Fiction Awards and the Industry Awards. Although celebrating current authors is important, the discovery of new talent is paramount for keeping the romantic genre thriving. In order to encourage new writers, the RNA runs the New Writers Scheme, which offers advice and support to unpublished writers. Places are limited so my advice is to apply early.

My first RNA event, where I was a finalist in the Joan Hessayon Award.

In recent years, the RNA has launched a range of initiatives and bursaries to encourage membership regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, social background, nationality, income level and disability. These inclusive initiatives helps provide diversity within the association and genre which both members and readers of romantic fiction can benefit from.

Romantic fiction is a wide genre as it includes many sub-categories which can appeal to a wide audience. Yet, arguably, the genre could still be shown a little more respect so the RNA's work is not done yet and they will continue to support and promote romantic fiction.

This year the RNA is celebrating their 60th anniversary and this February they are launching their first ever Romance Reading Month. Below is a brief timetable of what is ahead...

1st-7th February follow the #lovemylibaryweek #romancereadingmonth hashtag on Twitter as authors of romance share their library visits with you.

On the 9th February, the RNA is celebrating LGBQT+ books. So watch out for some great reads online.

A week later, on 14th February, the RNA will officially launch their Romantic Fiction Book Club on Facebook. It is open to readers and authors, so if you enjoy romantic fiction, why not give it a try?

Join in the fun with RNA members on 23rd February and share your review of a romantic read using the hashtag #Dimondreviewday

Finally, on the 23rd February, follow #romancereadingmonth #Iloveromance or/and #RNA60 as authors of romance will be sharing their favourite romantic reads via videoclips and pictures. I've done one, so watch out for it on Twitter or Facebook to see what my recommendation is!

These are only a few of the many events planned for February, so keep an eye out and follow @RNAtweets to join in the fun.

So what benefit have I received from being a member of the RNA? This year, in the 6th decade of the RNA, my 6th novel will be published. The cover reveal was on Tuesday, 11th February and it will be published on 24th March. Here it is!

My career as a traditionally published author began as a direct result of being a member of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme. It was their encouragement and the support from friends I had met through the association, which motivated me to submit my manuscript to agents and publishers again. As a result, I secured my first publishing contract. So Happy Birthday to the Romantic Novelists' Association, and thank you.

So while the Romantic Novelists' Association was taking its first breath in 1960, what happened to the censored book, Lady Chatterley's Lover? As a result of winning the court case, the original version of Lady Chatterley's Lover was no longer banned from public sale. Readers flocked to their bookshops and it ended up selling 200,000 copies in just one day. It has now become a classic.

Although the publicity surrounding the court case helped with the boost in sales, I think we can all agree that the majority of people enjoy a bit of romance in their lives... and escaping into the world of romantic fiction is one of the best places to find it.

By Victoria Cornwall