Greenwich - Ahoy!

by Anna Sugden

Most of you know about the Romance Writers of America and the Romance Writers of Australia, but did you know there is a romance writers organisation in England too? It's called the Romance Novelists Association.

This year, is the 50th anniversary of the RNA and their annual conference was held in the gorgeous surroundings of the Old Royal Naval College. This is the same Greenwich as in G.M.T. (Greenwich Mean Time) and you can see the clock at the nearby Greenwich Observatory. It's also home to the National Maritime Museum - a must for all you historical fans.

Illustrious surroundings for us all to talk about our favourite thing - romance novels! And, a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends, many of whom you'll recognise from their visits to the Lair!

This was my first visit to an RNA conference and, being a Bandita, you know I couldn't resist taking along a familiar companion (thanks, Becke!). The pesky Golden Rooster was otherwise occupied, but his little English cousin was available.

Naturally, he soon lost his shyness and managed to charm all the women there! (Seen right with RNA buddy Gemma)

Here he is with the fantabulous Brit Pack - Julie Cohen, Anna Louise Lucia, Brigid Coady and moi.

He managed to nestle in between Lair favourite, Kate Walker and her husband Steven Wade.

Chatting up the delightful Nicola Cornick.


Posing with the fabulous Janet Mullany (Miranda Neville managed to escape the picture-taking!)



Snuggling up to lovely Mills & Boon editor, Lucy Gilmour.

And, the coup de grace, he even managed to convince the wonderful Katie Fforde to have her picture taken with him. (notice Joanna Trollope sneaking into the background on the left!)

Clearly, the young chook had a ball. (I did too *g*)

The only problem is my little feathered friend doesn't have a name!

Over to the Bandita Buddies! Can you come up with a suitable name for him?

I will send a prize package to the person who comes up with the best name - The RNA 50th anniversary conference bag containing a Janice Lynn Medical Romance "The Doctor's Meant-to-be Marriage", a pen, a mini bar of Greene & Black's chocolate, a selection of bookmarks - including a much-sought-after gullar sahir bookmark signed by me - a heart-shaped photo-frame ornament and a pair of golden rooster ear-rings.