Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) Awards 2023 Winners Announced including Lifetime Achievement Award for Katie Fforde

By LoveReading | 7th March 2023

The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) announced the winners of this year’s Romantic Novel Awards during a ceremony in London last night. The nine category winners were presented with their trophies, Heidi Swain was presented with the Popular Romantic Fiction Award and Katie Fforde was honoured with the RNA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Celebrating excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms, the awards, which have been held since their inception in 1960, are highly respected in the UK publishing industry. Previous winners include Santa Montefiore, Joe Heap, Julie Cohen and Milly Johnson. The awards are unique in that they are judged entirely by readers, without input from any industry professionals.

Jean Fullerton, the RNA Chair, commented, ‘Once again the judges have had the almost impossible task of choosing winners for each of our romantic awards categories. Huge congratulations to our worthy winners.’

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, RNA president and bestselling author Katie Fforde was presented with the RNA Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 in recognition of her exceptional and long-standing contribution to romantic fiction. It was also announced that Katie will be stepping down from her role as RNA President this month. A presentation in the style of ‘This is Your Life’ followed, highlighting memorable moments from Katie’s writing career along with messages from friends and industry professionals. It was an emotional and heartfelt thank you to the 'Queen' of the RNA who has given so many years incredible service and support to upcoming authors.

Jean Fullerton added, ‘The RNA Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest accolade our organisation bestows and this year we are honoured to present it to bestselling author Katie Fforde. As President of the RNA, Katie is a wonderful ambassador for the organisation and has championed the romantic fiction genre for decades. Katie is loved and respected across the industry and by her readers around the world. But to us in the RNA she’s ‘our Katie’ who has been a tireless supporter of both the organisation and writers and who now, after twelve years as our figurehead, is stepping down as President of the RNA.’

Katie Fforde commented, ‘I couldn’t be more delighted to receive this award from my beloved RNA. I’ve been a member for nearly 40 years and will always be grateful for the support it has given me throughout my career, from an unpublished writer to where I am today. I am sad to retire as President, a role I have thoroughly enjoyed, but I feel it’s time for both me and the RNA to look to the future. I’m proud and grateful to have been able to give back to an organisation that has given me so much.’

The awards ceremony was held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City. Best-selling author Jo Thomas compèred the ceremony; Sara-Jade Virtue, Brand Development Director, Fiction, for awards sponsor Simon & Schuster UK, presented the Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers; RNA outgoing President, best-selling author Katie Fforde, presented the Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award; and actor Peter Davison presented the remainder of the awards.

Readers who are interested in becoming a reader-judge for next year’s awards should contact Sharon Ibbotson, the Awards Coordinator, at: rnaawards@romanticwriters.co.uk.

THE CATEGORIES AND WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award

I Let You Fall by Sara Downing

The Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers

Six Days by Dani Atkins

The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award

Always by Your Side by Julie Haworth

The Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award

This Year’s for Me and You by Emily Bell

The Shorter Romantic Novel Award

The Earl’s Mysterious Lady by Louise Allen

The Romantic Saga Award