When I found out, a while back, that my book Knowing You, from publisher Canelo, had been shortlisted that was exciting enough. I genuinely never expected to win as all the other contenders in this category were so strong.

It was a glittering event, with sparkles on dresses and in glasses, held at the Leonardo Royal London City hotel in Tower Bridge, London. I got there very early with my husband, so in my black faux fur coat I headed off to Starbucks for a fortifying hot chocolate. We got back to the hotel at 5 and I headed upstairs for the formal photographs. Then my husband, along with everyone else, came up at 6.30.

What a wonderful ceremony. Charming Anton du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing was there, as a nominee, along with author legends Sophie Kinsella and Carole Matthews, and comedian and author Jenny Eclair presented the awards. The wonderful Jane Wenham-Jones, looking amazing as usual, hosted.

My award was handed to me by Jackie Collins’ granddaughter – an absolute honour. I am so thrilled (no pun intended), however tenuous the link, to be connected to her inspirational grandmother.

The ceremony passed in a daze – I sat there, feeling a little tearful I admit, and just so happy, wondering how this could have happened. Writing is an up and down career and the moments like this make it worthwhile.  Here I am with my husband, and agent Clare Wallace from the Darley Anderson agency.

Then we enjoyed a lovely buffet and everyone mingled, catching up with friends.

I’m so grateful to my agent, husband and children for the support they’ve shown me over recent years. It’s been a difficult time. As regular readers of this blog know, I’ve faced and tackled mental health issues since 2016 – and the eating challenges I’ve struggled with still rear their head from time to time, especially around events like this which, whilst exciting, tap into any body image/dysmorphia insecurities.

But I forced myself to face my fears, just like I did for the event last year when I was shortlisted, and I’m so glad I did.

And you can too as long as you keep telling yourself the truth – that fears are just that, and not actual fact

You can find out about the other nominees and categories right HERE.

The winners will be chosen at an awards ceremony in London, on the 4th March.

So I’ve got just a few weeks to find a frock!

Thanks to all the readers and bloggers who’ve supported this book. It was a joy to write.

It was lovely to meet new author and barrister Roxie Cooper. Her debut, out soon, The Law of Attraction, is super.

Also I bumped into Peter Jones whom I’ve known online for several years. He was much taller than I expected (I guessed correctly, six feet four) and he was surprised that I’m a bit of a shorthouse (as my father used to say!)

The canapes were delicious – including these herby cheese scones that were actually the size of a ten pence piece!

One highlight of the evening was the award of the new writers’ Joan Hessayon Award, won by Kate Field. Here’s lovely fellow HQ Digital author Vivien Hampshire, who was shortlisted.

Looking very glam were my talented friends Carol Cooper and Mandy Baggot.

I always love seeing what friends wear and Holly Martin came out top with this amazing rainbows and unicorns dress.

So, thanks to the RNA for another fabulous evening – I am already looking forward to the winter party. My night was rounded off by another fascinating taxi journey, with tales of Sir Michael Caine and learning The Knowledge (it took this London driver three years, two of those full-time studying it). Oh, and a chicken and pesto sandwich and hot chocolate on the train home. I always was a cheap date

Don’t be afraid. The photo, below, was taken a the first formal author event I attended – the summer party of the lovely Romantic Novelists Association. I’d been told it would be good for networking – whatever that was. It sounded very grown up and intimidating. I had a deep-set fear of being found out for not being a “proper” author. What if people asked me high-falutin’ questions about my view on the latest published literary novel? I imagined all sorts of nonsense whilst I had my hair done and bought a posh frock. As it turned out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The party was exactly that – a group of friends and like-minded people turning up to celebrate their common interest and have fun. So keep your fears in check. Networking boils down to talking to people. As time passes you will learn skills to get the most out of those conversations.

Give and take – understand that networking is not all about me, me, me. It’s about respecting the other person and also helping them if possible. No blogger or fellow author wants to stand chatting to a writer who does nothing but promote their own work and hand out business cards. Show an interest. Ask the other novelist about their latest book. Find out what that blogger really likes to read and enquire about their day job. Basically, be good-mannered as you would in any other situation. I’ve found the writerly world to be super supportive but that works both ways. Of course hand out promotional material, if someone shows an interest – but do it subtly. I attended a blogger/author meet in Birmingham this Saturday just gone (see previous post!) and very much enjoyed handing out some of these promotional chocolate bars (which are actually tiny and probably went in one mouthful!). They are for my latest book, The New Beginnings Coffee Club.  Some went to friends – others to people who didn’t know my work. The recipient gets a tasty treat and probably won’t throw it away like they might a business card!

Decide on your goals – what are you hoping for when you turn up at a writing event or connect with a a fellow author online? Here are two general goals to start with: firstly to garner support for your work. Secondly, to garner support for yourself. If you get on with a writer and start to support their career, for example by retweeting their promotional tweets, they will no doubt do the same back.  Eventually you will probably share tips about agents and publishers  and perhaps invite each other to launch parties where you can further network.  And publishing is a tough business. Having writing friends you can seek advice from, or just vent at for a while, is priceless and has got me through difficult times. I have formed invaluable authorly friendships online and in real-life by going to events, joining online forums and participating in social media, namely Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. These relationships are easy to instigate. Spend time, on social media, cultivating friendships. They will follow their natural course – some may never blossom, others will lead to a lifelong association. And then you can tailor your goals. Perhaps you are looking for people to support a particular novel or participate in an event you want to run.

All hail customers! In my case, readers. Never forget that without these people your career would be NOWHERE. So, when they connect on social media ALWAYS respond. If they loved their book and tweet you or send an email the time they have taken deserves an answer. And if their communication contains a criticism (and is polite!) then address this, as well. Only yesterday I exchanged messages with a reader who’d got confused about something in one of my books. I was grateful to be able to clear up the problem and we had a lovely chat. Networking with readers is very important – I’ve formed some significant friendships and had readers recommend me to their friends. If you are brave enough, do book signings, talks and workshops, get out there and meet your fans. The internet means that authors are expected to be more accessible than in the past. Work that to your advantage.

Be genuine. This above all else. My advice could sound clinical but the thing is, when it comes to networking I follow my heart. I am passionate about my career and passionate about getting involved in the writing world. I’ve genuinely  made good friends and even if I wanted, couldn’t force the fun we have together, online or when we meet. I’m fascinated by other people’s stories and their journeys and would soon get bored of just talking about myself.

So chill Networking doesn’t need to be scary. Just be yourself. And realise that it runs along a two-way street. Do that and you’ll expand your own writerly community in no time at all.