TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2025 We are delighted to announce the winners for their annual Romance Industry Awards 2025. The awards celebrate the outstanding work of individuals and/or organisations who have supported writers and the romance genre.

The awards ceremony took place on Monday, 3rd November, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City. RNA members and other industry professionals, along with those involved in romance and romantic fiction, submitted nominations supported by detailed evidence of their contribution to the genre. An independent panel of judges from the RNA determined the shortlist and selected the winners.

The seven categories for this year were as follows: Publisher of the Year, Editor of the Year, Agent of the Year, Romance Champion of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Romance Narrator of the Year and Library of the Year.

RNA Chair, Seána Talbot, said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Romance Industry Awards. Romance is one of the strongest genres in fiction, and is supported by an amazing industry – from libraries and bookshops, to agents, narrators, editorial, publicity, and marketing. The field of entries was incredibly strong, and all of our winners excelled within their categories. Romance and romantic fiction books are here to stay, and it’s vital to recognise and celebrate the industry professionals who support the genre. Congratulations to all the winners!”

RNA Awards Coordinator, Maryam Oliver, commented: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the impressive contributions and support that this year’s shortlisted and industry award winners have consistently made to the thriving and dynamic genre of romantic fiction. Their dedication, talent, and passion have been instrumental in shaping, promoting, and enriching the world of romance, captivating readers and inspiring fellow writers alike.”

Gillian Green, from Tor Bramble, winner of the Publisher of the Year award, said: “The whole Tor Team are absolutely delighted to have this recognition, especially so early on in our Bramble evolution. Thank you to the RNA and all our wonderful authors and everyone who champions the genre.”

Lucy Stewart, from Hodder & Stoughton, winner of the Editor of the Year award, said: “It is such an honour to even be nominated, so I am even more touched to have won. Thank you so much to the RNAs, and of course to all my wonderful authors – working in this industry is the best job in the world.”

Tanera Simons, from Greenstone Literary, winner of the Agent of the Year award, said: “I’m completely thrilled and honoured to have been awarded the RNA Agent of the Year. The RNA is an incredible champion of romance fiction and I’ve long followed these awards: to have won one during Greenstone’s early years is a particularly special achievement for me. Thank you to all who have supported me, and to the RNA.”

Caden Armstrong, from Book Lovers Bookshop, winner of the Romance Champion of the Year award, said: “I am really grateful to be nominated and honoured to have won this award. We are here because of and for this community so thank you so much for all of your support.”

Binti Pattani, from Harlequin – Mills & Boon Series, Editorial Team, winner of the Rising Star of the Year award, said: “Thank you so much, I am incredibly honoured to have won this award – I absolutely love working in this wonderful industry and will continue to champion romance in all its forms!”

The categories and winners for 2025 are as follows:

Publisher of the Year

• Tor Bramble

Editor of the Year

• Lucy Stewart (Hodder & Stoughton)

Agent of the Year

• Tanera Simons (Greenstone Literary)

Romance Champion of the Year

• Book Lovers Bookshop

Rising Star of the Year

• Binti Pattani (Harlequin – Mills & Boon Series, Editorial Team)

Romance Narrator of the Year

• Kristin Atherton

Library of the Year (which was announced during Library Week on the 8th of October 2025)

• Manchester Central Library

ABOUT THE ROMANTIC NOVELISTS’ ASSOCIATION:

The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) is a professional body primarily for writers of romantic fiction. Founded in 1960 to provide a voice for romance authors and to be a network for writers, it continues to raise the prestige of romantic fiction and encourage romantic authorship. Their membership includes writers across the spectrum of commercial and women’s fiction, along with publishing industry professionals, booksellers, and book reviewers. In addition to organising annual publishing awards, they also host a range of workshops, talks, networking events, a three-day conference, and provide support to unpublished authors through their New Writers’ Scheme.

For more information about the Romantic Novelists’ Association, please visit their website:

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org

 MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

RNA Press Officer: PressOfficer@romanticnovelistsassociation.org