Mandy Baggot

Morning everyone!

Today I wanted to tell you all a little bit about this year's Festival of Romance! Last year was the first year of this new festival and I was lucky enough to be able to take part. I spoke on a panel about self-publishing and I did a reading from Strings Attached but of course, the event I am most remembered for is dressing up as The Love Dove from my novel Knowing Me Knowing You!

Yes, that is me underneath the chicken suit! Well, 2012 it set to be even bigger and better and it's being held in Bedford on 16-18 November! I will be attending the following events:-

Friday 16 November

The Festival Ball and awards - I have entered my novels Strings Attached (Best Self-Published novel) and Taking Charge (Best Romantic Read)

Saturday 17 November

Romance Fair

Rock Star Party where I will be reading from Strings Attached

Literary Dinner

Total E-Bound Erotic party

Sunday 18 November

Romantic conference

Nicky Wells and I will be flying the flag for Sapphire Star Publishing and along with Sue Fortin, Sheryl Browne and Emma Calin we will also be representing Loveahappyending. And I am really excited about a Wiltshire writing contingent going! Myself, Liz Fielding and Sarah Tranter will be there and I WILL be getting them under the Wiltshire flag for pictures!

But could you be a romantic writer of the future? Read below!

New Talent Award aims to uncover romantic fiction authors of the future

The Festival of Romance is delighted to announce that the New Talent Award will run again this year. The industry judges are Georgina Hawtrey-Woore senior editor at Cornerstones, Random House and Diane Banks, literary agent at the Diane Banks Associates Literary Agency.

The Festival of Romance New Talent Award aims to cast a spotlight on the authors of tomorrow and is open to all writers who have not yet had a book commercially published. Writers may submit the opening chapter (up to 3,500 words) of a romantic novel of any type by 30th September 2012. The winner and runners-up will be announced and presented with trophies at the gala Festival of Romance Awards on Friday 16th November 2012. There is a small entry fee to cover the award administration. Entrants may also gain a critique of their entry written by a professional novelist.

“As part of the Festival of Romance we want to help new writers with talent get their break into the commercial fiction world,” says Kate Allan, chief romantic at the Festival of Romance. “At the Festival of Romance in November we are running writing workshops, an industry conference and chance to meet publishers face to face as well as the New Talent Award. I'm delighted that Georgina Hawtrey-Woore and Diane Banks have agreed to judge this year's entries.”

Winner of the 2011 New Talent Award Henriette Gyland subsequently garnered a book deal from publishers Choc Lit. Her debut novel Up Close will be published in December 2012.

For more details about how to enter the New Talent Award please see www.festivalofromance.co.uk

So what are you waiting for?! Get writing! It could be you wearing a chicken suit next!

Mandy xx