The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) is delighted to announce the shortlists for their annual Industry Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate the hard work and talent of any person, group or organisation who has championed the broad genre of romantic fiction in a positive way.

FINALISTS FOR INDIE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Carrie Elks

Author Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. ​Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

Carrie says: ‘From the beginning of my writing career the RNA has been hugely supportive to me, and I’m honoured to be nominated for one of their prestigious awards.’

Lizzie Lamb

I’m Lizzie and I like writing about the ‘moment’ when the hero and the heroine fall in love. That, and trying to track down the all-elusive hero-in-a-kilt, is what gets me in front of the computer each morning. Since 2012 I’ve published seven novels: Tall, Dark and Kilted; Boot Camp Bride; Scotch on the Rocks; Girl in the Castle; Take Me, I’m Yours; Harper’s Highland Fling and my latest novel, Dark Highland Skies. I’ve started planning number eight. I organise the Leicester Chapter of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and present workshops on indie publishing to new writers. I love writing because it’s given me the chance to celebrate everything I love about my homeland – Scotland, and to share those feelings with my readers. When I’m not writing, I spend the summer touring Scotland in our caravan researching my next novel and avoiding the midges.

Lizzie says: ‘I feel immensely honoured to have been shortlisted for this award. Writing can be a lonely occupation, more so if one is an indie author without the support of a publisher behind them. Should I win, I will do my best to continue helping other authors to achieve their dream of becoming a published author – traditionally or as an indie.’

The winners of the ten awards will be announced during the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Winter Party and Industry Awards ceremony, which is being held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London EC3N 2BQ, on Monday 13th November 2023 at 6.30pm.

This year’s awards are sponsored by ProWritingAid, a manuscript editing software programme with in-app video learning for writers. Hayley Milliman, Head of Education at ProWritingAid said, ‘Congratulations to the finalists for the 2023 RNA Industry Awards! We applaud your accomplishments and hard work bringing beautiful stories to life.’