The RNA Industry Awards 2017 Celebrate those who Champion Romantic Fiction

THE ROMANTIC NOVELISTS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS

London: 15 November 2017 The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) is delighted to announce the winners of its annual industry awards, which this year feature the addition of a new category, Librarian of the Year. This new award recognises the important work that librarians do in supporting the romantic fiction genre, and the Association in particular. Six awards were presented during the RNA’s Winter Party, held in the Library at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London.

Librarian of the Year

Shirley Everall, Librarian of the Year

The inaugural award was presented to Shirley Everall, Audience Development Officer, Hertfordshire Libraries, for hosting a great number of events for RNA members, and promoting romantic fiction in Hertfordshire Libraries.

Runner-up Rachel Gee, from Tiverton Library, was nominated for her continual support and proactivity in promoting romantic fiction.

Romantic Bookseller of the Year

Kearan Ramful, Sainsbury's

This award recognises booksellers promoting and championing romantic fiction in a positive and proactive way throughout the year. This year’s winner, Kearan Ramful, book buyer for Sainsbury’s Plc, was awarded the title for his continuing support for romantic fiction by selecting many romantic titles for Sainsbury’s stores. 

Runner-up was David Headley and team at Goldsboro Books.  

Best Adaptation of a Romantic Novel

Debbie Horsfield

The award for best adaptation of a romantic novel, whether for stage, screen (TV or movie) or radio goes to Debbie Horsfield for Poldark Series 3 (BBC TV).  The adaptation must have been broadcast/screened from September 2016 through to the end of September 2017, at any time and for any duration.  After three series, Poldark remains a fantastic series with stunning scenery, excellent casting, and still stays close to the original text. It is one of those can't-be-missed programmes, with a charismatic but flawed hero and heroine.

Runner-up was Whit Stillman and Jane Austen for Love and Friendship, a film based on Jane Austen’s novella.

Media Star of the Year

Blogger Linda Hill was awarded Media Star of the Year for her continued support for romance novels through retweeting, reviewing and blogging. Friendly and professional, even when her TBR pile is overflowing, she’ll take more books on, going above and beyond the call of duty, and all with a smile. This award recognises those who have helped raise the profile of romance writing and/or the RNA in a positive way.  

Blogger Kaisha Holloway was runner-up and was nominated for her great support for authors and her honest, detailed and reflective reviews which are constructively critical.

Agent of the Year

Broo Doherty, DHH Literary Agency

For the literary agent who has striven to support, mentor, nurture and promote their authors’ careers, the genre in general and the RNA in particular. This year’s winner, Broo Doherty, DHH Literary Agency, was nominated for her championing of romantic fiction and support for the RNA. With a list featuring several authors in the genre, she provides guidance and great support to her clients, being honest and tactful, as well as kind, supportive and savvy about romantic fiction. 

Runner-up Rebecca Ritchie, AM Heath Agency, was nominated for her dedication, warmth and genuine passion for the genre. A great editor and all-round fantastic partner, a great listener, offering wise words and sound advice.

Publisher of the Year

Charlotte Ledger, Publisher of the Year

For the publisher who embraces the genre, mentors writers to produce their best work, and is innovative, creative and visionary in the marketing and promotion of romantic fiction on every level.  This year’s award goes to Charlotte Ledger, HarperImpulse, for her tireless championing of romance novels at Harper Collins, giving many debut novelists their first break. Open and honest, she provides transparent dealings with those authors under her wing and many nominated her, citing that working with Charlotte is a team effort, and she has a real personal touch when it comes to developing writers’ careers.

Runner-up was DC Thompson, a stalwart and steady publisher of a great number of members over the years. Both The People's Friend and My Weekly magazines have pocket novel imprints and their editors have mentored and published RNA members over many years, following a long tradition of nurturing writers of romance.

The RNA Industry Awards are decided by the membership, with every member eligible to nominate within each category. The awards were presented at the RNA’s Winter Party at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London on 15^th November 2017. 

Photos from the event will be available on The Romantic Novelists' Association's website in due course.

For further information please contact:
Pressofficer@romanticnovelistsassociation.org
Or Katrina Power 07 963 962 538 or katrina.power@yahoo.com 

About the Romantic Novelists' Association

The RNA was formed in 1960 to promote romantic fiction and encourage good writing and now represents more than 900 writers, agents, editors and other publishing professionals.

Joan Hessayon Award 2016 contender: Bella Osborne

Today Bella Osborne answers our questions. Bella is another of the talented contenders for this year's Joan Hessayon Award and graduate of the RNA New Writers' Scheme.

How long have you been writing? Is this your first published piece?

I’ve been writing ever since primary school when I discovered that I loved it. Yes, It Started at Sunset

Cottage is my first published story.

How many years were you a member of the NWS and did you submit a manuscript each year?

I joined in January 2013 and submitted a manuscript for two years until I graduated to full membership.

What came first, agent or publisher?

I met my thoroughly lovely editor, Charlotte Ledger, at the RNA conference in Sheffield in 2013 as part of the 121s and she asked to read the rest of my novel. I signed with my agent later that year.

Who is your agent?

I am represented by the Kate Nash Literary Agency

Do you have a contract for one book or more?

My first contract was with Harper Impulse for two books and I have just signed a one book contract with Avon (also part of Harper Collins).

When was your book published?

Digitally on 12^th February 2015, Print on Demand April 2015, and Paperback August 2015.

Tell us something about your book

It has two strong women at its core - Kate is a reserved author whilst Sarah is a sharp-tongued single mother. After losing her fiancé, Kate is slowly getting her life back on track when Timothy Calder, A-list actor and leading man in the movie adaptation of her book, turns up on her doorstep, hoping to lie low after his latest tabloid scandal. Sarah is trying to hold down two jobs and shut her ex-husband out of her life. When he goes missing she thinks it’s the answer to her problems until Sarah becomes number one suspect.

What are you currently working on?

I am multi-tasking! I am currently editing my second novel, ‘A Family Holiday’, which is due for release in June, as well as writing my third book which will be released digitally in four parts under the title ‘Willow Cottage’, the first part of which is due for release on 7^th July.

What piece of advice would you give current members of the NWS?

Keep writing, no matter what life throws at you and never, ever give up!

Links:

Amazon:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Bella-Osborne-127964384079908/

Website

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

Thank you, Bella, we hope you have a fabulous evening at the RNA Summer Party and good luck with your writing career.

The RNA blog is brought to you by

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

Plus One is a Lucky Number for Teresa F Morgan

Teresa F Morgan tell us how she found her publisher

A mum to two boys by day, romance writer by night. I’m at my happiest baking cakes, putting proper home cooked dinners on the table (whether the kids eat them or not), reading a good romance, or creating a touch of escapism with heroes readers will fall in love with.

Sophie Trewyn has a wedding to attend, and no one to go with, until her friend convinces his best mate, Adam Reid to go with her.  All the pretending, Sophie starts to wish it were true. But with some surprises in store, will Adam regret saying yes?

What gave you the idea for your book and how long did it take to write? 

I’ve always liked the concept of two people pretending to be in love. Is the affection real or pretend? It’s my favourite kind of storyline. Plus One is a Lucky Number is a little bit inspired by the film The Wedding Date. I wrote the first chapter for the Mills and Boon New Voice competition for September 2010 and had it finally finished and polished in 2012 to send out to publishers.

How did you find your publisher? 

Since joining the RNA New Writers’ Scheme, I have been attending the Bath and Wiltshire Chapter meetings organised by Rachel Brimble. Last summer, one of my chapter members (Lorraine Wilson) had just been accepted by Harper Impulse, so I checked out the company to see they were brand new, and thought let’s send it off! The manuscript was with the New Writers’ Scheme and I did contemplate waiting to hear back from them first, but decided to grab the bull by the horns. To cut a long story short, Lorraine helped me get to the top of the slush pile by mentioning my name to Charlotte Ledger, and as they say the rest is history. I believe Lorraine found out before I did that Harper Impulse wanted my book.

How do you fit your writing into your busy life? Are you a lark or an owl? 

I’m definitely an owl. I can’t get myself out of bed early to write. I’m up at 7am anyway with the boys to get them to school. I write best during the day while they are at school (when I am not doing the day job and real life isn’t getting in the way too much) and in the evenings, once they are in bed. I try to write/edit for at least one hour a day – where possible. I work Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, which usually leaves me too tired, so I try to do other (what I call) Writing Related Activities, i.e. reading, blogging, etc. on those days.

What is next in your writing life? 

I’m contracted with Harper Impulse for a second book and so I am trying to work through that at the moment. It’s at about 80,000 words but needs editing and some ‘additing’ (a word I made up in NaNoWriMo 2006). I really want to get it off to my publisher soon, as it feels like for a couple of years now I haven’t actually worked on anything fresh.

Blog: http://teresa-morgan.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: http://www.teresamorgan.co.uk/

Harper Impulse: http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/
Amazon.co.uk: (ebook) Plus One is a Lucky Number

Amazon.com: (ebook) Plus One is a Lucky Number

Amazon.co.uk (paperback release 8^th May 2014) One is a Lucky Number

Thank you for joining us today, Teresa

Compiled by Natalie and brought to you by the blogging team of Elaine Everest and Natalie Kleinman

Please contact us at elaineeverest@aol.com if you wish to be featured on our blog or would like to write a craft article.