Romantic Novelists' Association
Encyclopedia
The Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) is a writers' association in the UK. Founded in 1960, mainly through the efforts of Denise Robins
(first president), Barbara Cartland
(first vice-president), Vivian Stuart
(first elected Chairmen), and other authors like Elizabeth Goudge
, Netta Muskett
, Catherine Cookson
, Rosamunde Pilcher
and Lucilla Andrews
.
The RNA runs an annual conference for members, today has around 700, and supports a number of regional chapters, who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern to writers of romantic fiction. The organisation also runs the New Writers' Scheme, under which unpublished authors receive an appraisal of their work from an experienced member of the Association.
Denise Robins
Denise Robins, née Denise Naomi Klein was a prolific British romantic novelist and the first President of the Romantic Novelists' Association...
(first president), Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland
Dame Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, CStJ , was an English author, one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century...
(first vice-president), Vivian Stuart
Vivian Stuart
Vivian Stuart, née Violet Vivian Finlay , was a British writer from 1953 to 1986. She was published under different pen names; she signed her romance novels as Vivian Stuart, Alex Stuart, Barbara Allen, Fiona Finlay, and Robyn Stuart, she signed her military sagas as V.A...
(first elected Chairmen), and other authors like Elizabeth Goudge
Elizabeth Goudge
Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was an English author of novels, short stories and children's books as Elizabeth Goudge...
, Netta Muskett
Netta Muskett
Netta Muskett was a British writer of more than 60 romance novels from 1927 to 1963, she also wrote under the pseudonym Anne Hill. She continued writing until the day of her death and her last novel, Cloudbreak, was published posthumously...
, Catherine Cookson
Catherine Cookson
Dame Catherine Cookson DBE was a British author. She became the United Kingdom's most widely read novelist, with sales topping 100 million, while retaining a relatively low profile in the world of celebrity writers...
, Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher OBE is a British author of romance novels and mainstream women's fiction. Early in her career she was also published under the pen name Jane Fraser. Pilcher retired from writing in 2000.-Early years:...
and Lucilla Andrews
Lucilla Andrews
Lucilla Matthew Andrews Crichton was a British romantic novelist who wrote as Lucilla Andrews.She joined the British Red Cross in 1940 and later trained as a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital, London, during World War II.She was a founder member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, which honoured...
.
The RNA runs an annual conference for members, today has around 700, and supports a number of regional chapters, who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern to writers of romantic fiction. The organisation also runs the New Writers' Scheme, under which unpublished authors receive an appraisal of their work from an experienced member of the Association.
Presidency
Presidents- 2011-Present: Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming Fforde (aka Katie FfordeKatie FfordeKatie Fforde, née Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming , is a British romance novelist since 1995.She is founder of the Katie Fforde Bursary for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract...
) - 1986-2011: Diane Margaret Pearson McClelland (aka Diane PearsonDiane PearsonDiane Pearson is a British book editor and also writer of romance novels, who has been translated into several languages....
) - 1966-1986: Ida CookIda CookIda Cook was a British campaigner for Jewish refugees and a novelist.Ida Cook and her sister Mary Louise Cook rescued Jews from the Nazis during the 1930s. The sisters helped 29 people escape, funded mainly by Ida's writing...
(aka Mary Burchell) - 1960-1966: Denise Naomi Klein Robins Pearson (aka Denise Chesterton, Denise RobinsDenise RobinsDenise Robins, née Denise Naomi Klein was a prolific British romantic novelist and the first President of the Romantic Novelists' Association...
, Hervey Hamilton, Francesca Wright, Ashley French, Harriet Gray, Julia Kane)
Vice-Presidents
Present Vice-Presidents- Marina OliverMarina OliverMarina Oliver , is a British writer of romance novels since 1974, she also wrote under the pseudonyms of Sally James, Donna Hunt, Bridget Thorn, Vesta Hathaway, Livvy West and Laura Hart...
(aka Sally James, Donna Hunt, Bridget Thorn, Vesta Hathaway, Livvy West, Laura Hart) - Nancy Jean Buckingham Sawyer (Nancy BuckinghamNancy BuckinghamNancy Joyce Buckingham is a British co-writer of gothic and romance novels in collaboration with her husband, John Sawyer . They wrote novels under her maiden name Nancy Buckingham, and under the pseudonyms Christina Abbey, Erica Quest, Nancy John and Hilary London...
, Christina Abbey, Erica Quest, Nancy John, Hilary London)
Former Vice-Presidents
- Betty O'RourkeBetty O'RourkeBetty O'Rourke was a British writer of over 10 romance novels from 1987 to 2005. She was vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association and she was the acting Membership Secretary of the RNA.-Biography:...
- Tilly ArmstrongTilly ArmstrongTilly Armstrong ) was a British writer of romance novels from 1978 to 1998, she also wrote as Tania Langley and Kate Alexander....
(aka Tania Langley, Kate Alexander) - Sheila O'Nions Walsh (aka Sheila WalshSheila Walsh (novelist)Sheila Walsh, née Sheila Frances O'Nions was a British writer of romance novels from 1975 to 2001; she also wrote as Sophie Leyton....
, Sophie Leyton) - Hilda Hammie Nickson (aka Hilda NicksonHilda NicksonHilda Nickson, née Pressley was a British writer of over 60 romance novels from 1958 to 1988, under her married name and as Hilda Pressley. She was vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-Biography:...
, Hilda Pressley) - Norren Dilcock (aka Norrey FordNorrey FordNoreen Ford Dilcock was a British writer of romance novels from 1952 to 1977 under different pseudonyms: Norrey Ford, Jill Christian and Christian Walford....
, Jill Christian, Christian Walford) - Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge (aka Elizabeth GoudgeElizabeth GoudgeElizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was an English author of novels, short stories and children's books as Elizabeth Goudge...
) - Helen Zenna Smith (aka Evadne PriceEvadne PriceEvadne Price , who wrote mostly under the pseudonym Helen Zenna Smith, was an English writer, actress, astrologer and media personality....
) - Netta Rachel Muskett (aka Netta MuskettNetta MuskettNetta Muskett was a British writer of more than 60 romance novels from 1927 to 1963, she also wrote under the pseudonym Anne Hill. She continued writing until the day of her death and her last novel, Cloudbreak, was published posthumously...
, Anne Hill) - Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland (aka Barbara CartlandBarbara CartlandDame Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, CStJ , was an English author, one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century...
) - Dorothy Delius Black MacLeish (aka Dorothy BlackDorothy Black (novelist)Dorothy MacLeish, née Black was a British writer of over 100 romance novels and several short stories from 1916 to 1974 under her maiden name Dorothy Black and as Peter Delius. In 1934 published anonymously Letters of an Indian Judge to an English Gentlewoman, later reedited under her name...
)
Associate Vice-Presidents
- Rosemary de Courcey
- Linda EvansLinda EvansLinda Evans is an American actress. She is known primarily for her roles on television, and rose to fame playing Audra Barkley in the 1960s Western TV series, The Big Valley...
- Sue Fletcher
- John Hale
- Michael LegatMichael LegatMichael Legat was a British writer of writers' guides and romance novels. He was an associate vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association...
- Judy Piatkus
- Karin Stoecker
- Jane Wood
Chairmen
- 2011-2013: Anne Ashurst, née Bushell (aka Sara CravenSara CravenSara Craven, is the pseudonym used by Anne Ashurst, née Bushell is a popular British author of over 80 romance novels. Her novels have been published by Mills & Boon ever since 1975...
) - 2009-2011: Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming Fforde (aka Katie FfordeKatie FfordeKatie Fforde, née Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming , is a British romance novelist since 1995.She is founder of the Katie Fforde Bursary for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract...
) - 2007-2009: Catherine JonesCatherine Jones (novelist)Catherine Jones, née Lace is a British writer of romance novels since 1990. She also wrote as Kate Lace and as Annie Jones in collaboration.She is the twentyfourth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association....
(aka Kate Lace, Annie Jones) - 2005-2007: Jenny HaddonJenny HaddonJenny Haddon , best known under her pseudonym Sophie Weston, is a British writer of over 45 romance novels in Mills & Boon since 1975. She is also a member of the Committee of the U.K.'s Romantic Novelists' Association , and was elected its twenty-three Chairman .-Biography:Jenny Haddon was born on...
(aka Sophie Weston) - 2003-2005: Anthea Kenyon
- 2001-2003: Jean ChapmanJean ChapmanJean Chapman is a British writer of romance novels since 1981 and a lecturer in creative writing. Her debut novel "The Unreasoning Earth" and "The Red Pavilion" were both shortlisted for the Parker Pen Romantic Novel of the Year Award.She was elected the twenty Chairman of the Romantic Novelists'...
- 1999-2001: Norma CurtisNorma CurtisNorma Curtis is a British novelist and short story writer. Her debut novel, "Living It Up, Living It Down" has been awarded the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writing Award in 1994, and she was elected its twentieth Chairman ....
- 1997-1999: Angela ArneyAngela ArneyAngela Arney was a British writer of romance novels since 1984 from 1997, when she was the nineteenth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-Biography:...
- 1995-1997: Elizabeth Mary Oakleigh-Walker Buchan (aka Elizabeth BuchanElizabeth BuchanElizabeth Buchan, née Oakleigh-Walker is a British writer since 1985, specializing in romance novels...
) - 1993-1995: Jean Innes Saunders (Jean SaundersJean SaundersJean Saunders, née Jean Innes , is a British writer of romance novels since 1974, she writes under her married and maiden name, and also writes under the pseudonyms of Rowena Summers, Sally Blake, and Rachel Moore...
, Jean Innes, Rowena Summers, Sally Blake, Jodi Nicol, Rachel Moore) - 1991-1993: Marina OliverMarina OliverMarina Oliver , is a British writer of romance novels since 1974, she also wrote under the pseudonyms of Sally James, Donna Hunt, Bridget Thorn, Vesta Hathaway, Livvy West and Laura Hart...
(aka Sally James, Donna Hunt, Bridget Thorn, Vesta Hathaway, Livvy West, Laura Hart) - 1989-1991: Margaret PembertonMargaret PembertonMargaret Pemberton , is a British writer of romance novels since 1975, she also wrote under the pseudonyms of Carris Carlisle, Maggie Hudson and Rebecca Dean....
(aka Carris Carlisle, Maggie Hudson) - 1987-1989: Tilly ArmstrongTilly ArmstrongTilly Armstrong ) was a British writer of romance novels from 1978 to 1998, she also wrote as Tania Langley and Kate Alexander....
(aka Tania Langley, Kate Alexander) - 1985-1987: Sheila O'Nions Walsh (aka Sheila WalshSheila Walsh (novelist)Sheila Walsh, née Sheila Frances O'Nions was a British writer of romance novels from 1975 to 2001; she also wrote as Sophie Leyton....
, Sophie Leyton) - 1983-1985: Diana MorganDiana Morgan (writer)Diana Morgan is a British writer of romance novels. She was elected the twelfth Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-References and sources:...
- 1981-1983: Contance Fecher Heaven (aka Constance Fecher, Constance HeavenConstance HeavenConstance Heaven, née Constance Fecher was a British writer of romance novels from 1963 to 1995, under her maiden name, her married name and under the pseudonym Christina Merlin...
, Christina Merlin) - 1979-1981: Clare CavendishClare CavendishClare Cavendish was a British writer of romance novels from 1964 to 1982.She was the tenth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-Single novels:*Doctor in Trouble *Doctor's Choice *Hospital in Danger...
- 1977-1979: Elizabeth Fancourt Harrison (aka Elizabeth HarrisonElizabeth Harrison (writer)Elizabeth Harrison was a British writer of romance novels from 1965 to 1995, she specialized in medical romances, because she was a medical secretary....
) - 1975-1977: Nancy Jean Buckingham Sawyer (Nancy BuckinghamNancy BuckinghamNancy Joyce Buckingham is a British co-writer of gothic and romance novels in collaboration with her husband, John Sawyer . They wrote novels under her maiden name Nancy Buckingham, and under the pseudonyms Christina Abbey, Erica Quest, Nancy John and Hilary London...
, Christina Abbey, Erica Quest, Nancy John, Hilary London) - 1973-1975: Leila Antionette Sterling Mackinlay (aka Leila MackinlayLeila MackinlayLeila Antionette Sterling Mackinlay was a British writer of romance novels from 1930 to 1979 as Leila S. Mackinlay or Leila Mackinlay and also under the pseudonym Brenda Grey...
, Brenda Grey) - 1971-1973: Alice Chetwynd LeyAlice Chetwynd LeyAlice Chetwynd Ley, née Humphrey was a British writer of romance novels from 1959 to 1989....
- 1969-1971: Lois Dorothea Low (aka Dorothy Mackie LowDorothy Mackie LowLois Dorothea Low, née Pilkington was a British writer of romance novels from 1962 to 1983 under different pseudonyms Dorothy Mackie Low, Lois Paxton, and Zoë Cass.She was elected the fifth Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association and also was a former...
, Lois Paxton, Zoë Cass) - 1967-1969: Stella MarchStella MarchStella March was pen name of a British writer of romance novels from 1956 to 1986.She was the fourth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-Novels:*Just before the Dawn *Love Was the Reason...
- 1965-1967: June Sylvia Thimblethorpe (aka Sylvia ThorpeSylvia ThorpeSylvia Thorpe was the pseudonym used by June Sylvia Thimblethorpe a British writer of romance novels from 1950 to 1983....
) - 1963-1965: Noreen Ford Dilcock (aka Norrey FordNorrey FordNoreen Ford Dilcock was a British writer of romance novels from 1952 to 1977 under different pseudonyms: Norrey Ford, Jill Christian and Christian Walford....
, Jill Christian, Christian Walford) - 1961-1963: Violet Vivian Finlay Stuart Mann (aka Vivian StuartVivian StuartVivian Stuart, née Violet Vivian Finlay , was a British writer from 1953 to 1986. She was published under different pen names; she signed her romance novels as Vivian Stuart, Alex Stuart, Barbara Allen, Fiona Finlay, and Robyn Stuart, she signed her military sagas as V.A...
, Alex Stuart, Barbara Allen, Fiona Finlay, V.A. Stuart, William Stuart Long, Robyn Stuart)
Others
- Angela ArneyAngela ArneyAngela Arney was a British writer of romance novels since 1984 from 1997, when she was the nineteenth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.-Biography:...
- Janet GoverJanet GoverJanet Gover is an Australian writer of over a dozen short stories and romance novels since 2002. In 2007 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy....
- Nicola CornickNicola CornickNicola Cornick is a British writer of romance novels since 1998.She is a Membership Secretary for the Romantic Novelists' Association and critique manuscripts for aspiring authors via the RNA's New Writers' Scheme, and also for the Romance Writers of America Beau Monde mentor...
- Pia Tapper Fenton
- Melanie Hilton
- Linda Hooper
- Jenny Harper
- Jan Jones
- Myra Kersner
- Catherine KingCatherine KingCatherine Fiona King , Australian politician, has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Ballarat, Victoria for the Australian Labor Party....
- Sue Moorcroft
Honor Life Members
- Sarah Broadhurst
- Edwin Buckhalter
- David G. Hessayon (aka Dr. D.G. Hessayon)
- Caroline Sheldon
- June Sylvia Thimblethorpe (aka Sylvia ThorpeSylvia ThorpeSylvia Thorpe was the pseudonym used by June Sylvia Thimblethorpe a British writer of romance novels from 1950 to 1983....
)