Winner Julie Cohen is an award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling novelist whose work has twice been selected for the Richard and Judy book club. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages and have been optioned for film and television. Together won the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award and The Two Lives of Louis & Louise was longlisted for the Polari Prize. She is Patron of literacy charity ABC to Read, a Vice President of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a founder of the RNA’s Rainbow Chapter, for writers who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or who write novels featuring LGBTQIA+ characters, and allies who wish to learn more. Her latest novel is Spirited.
Since being formed, the Rainbow Chapter collectively has forged links with other LGBTQIA+ writing organisations and professionals and worked to welcome LGBTQIA+ writers to the RNA. They have taken steps to make events more inclusive and to raise the profile of LGBTQIA+ relationship fiction both within the RNA and in the wider industry. They offer support and share professional advice with LGBTQIA+ writers. Their message is LOVE STORIES ARE FOR EVERYONE.