No Romantic Novelists’ Association conference this year, instead we had the Summer Fling. It was a day of panels, workshops and talks on all things romance writing and was excellent.

It was held at The Grand Hotel in central Birmingham and a very grand venue it was indeed. We were based in the ballroom which has been completely renovated. The ceiling was magnificent.

I neglected to take any interesting photographs. I was too busy talking to people. One of the many wonderful things the RNA does well is bring writers of romance together and it was a fabulous opportunity to catch up with friends. Some I’ve known in real life for a while, some I’ve only talked to online. The sessions were varied and useful too, especially this one on soggy middles (my bete noire) by Virginia Heath.

I combined the Fling with a visit to family in the West Midlands and took the train into the city. Quite the nostalgic trip as I went to school in Brum. One of the nicest takeaways from Saturday was how impressed people were by the city. Never the most obvious city break destination, it has so much to offer. The art gallery and museum is fabulous, the shopping is great, the canal network bustles with bars and restaurants and it has a wonderful couple of theatres. Not to mention the National Trust Back to Backs. Go slightly further afield and the Black Country Living Museum is well worth a visit. It even features one of my ancestors!

And I’m convinced the folk of the West Midlands are the friendliest in the country. Bostin’!

Love,

Georgia x