The RNA hold their Awards at The Leonardo Royal London City hotel, and I’m becoming familiar with the area after a couple of previous visits. It’s opposite the Tower of London, just a few minutes walk away, and surrounded by contemporary buildings and some much older ones tucked in among them. Exploring on foot is always interesting, and I spent some time in St Olave’s, a medieval church which survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. It’s also the burial place of diarist Samuel Pepys and his wife Elizabeth. Apparently, Charles Dickens, who lived nearby, used to call it ‘St Ghastly Grim’ because of the gargoyles on the gate!
But, back to the awards! The shortlisted authors were invited to a drinks reception before the main event, where there would also be time for group photographs from each category. I was definitely nervous going in, but soon caught up with Donna Ashcroft, as well as other friends from the RNA, many of whom were helping to organise the event and keep everything on track (thanks to every single person involved for putting on such an incredibly well-run and enjoyable evening, and providing regular and clear information along the way).
Meeting other authors was wonderful, and so brilliant to say hello in person to Julie Caplin, Sarah Hope, Isabelle Stewart, Fiona McCann, Juliet Greenwood, and Julie Shackman, among others. There’s always a sense of camaraderie at RNA gatherings, and despite my nerves and excitement, this was definitely the same. But as someone who has loved Jill Mansell’s and Trisha Ashley’s books for years, I was definitely a bit overwhelemed when I met them. They were both lovely, and so kind. Trisha was sitting on the same table, and afterwards she came over to congratulate me with a hug, and asked me to send her a Facebook friend request. Definitely a pinch-me moment, and one I’ll never forget.
I’m used to public speaking, and had prepared a few notes in the unlikely event of having to go on stage. I was fine about that until I saw the seating plan, and the list of the many authors and publishing professionals attending, and my nerves kicked straight back in. Programmes were provided, and at the table I was thankful to have my agent, Catherine, on one side, and Pauli from my publisher Canelo, on the other. The Contemporary award was one of the later ones, and the short speeches given on stage by each of the earlier winners were so lovely and heartfelt.
Then it was the Contemporary award… and I genuinely wasn’t expecting to win. The simply brilliant presenter Brigid Coady announced the shortlisted authors, of which I was thrilled to be one, and then Brigid opened the envelope, and read out my name! There was a moment of shock as I tried to take it in, and then Catherine and I were hugging. Thankfully I’d definitely chosen the right shoes (a pair of gold wedge heeled sandals) as I made my way to the stage, where I was presented with the award by Seana Talbot, Chair of the RNA. Seana was brilliant, letting me know how to hold the (very!) heavy award for the photographs, where to look, and when to cross the stage to speak. At the lectern I glanced at the sea of faces filling the room, and managed to thank everyone I had listed in my notes, not least the RNA and the readers who have brought me so far, since a very nervous New Writer in 2018.
The Awards were concluded shorty after, and the winners returned to the press room for photographs. It was surreal, as a very ordinary person, to walk in and be asked for a quote for the press should one be required! Everyone was excited and congratulating one another as the photographs were taken. The photographer was busy all night, and the results will eventually be on the RNA’s website, with plenty of shots from the night. It was a surprise to realise that I’ll be on the website too, as the current holder of the Contemporary award, and will take my place next year among the amazing authors who came before me.
We returned to the main event for the buffet and celebratory drinks, and lots of thank yous, and congratulating everyone else. I don’t think I would rewrite my speech if I had the chance, even though I can’t remember half of what I said and there was definitely a wobble in my voice! But I would just like to say again that without you, and the many, many readers who love romance, it would never have happened. Thank you 💖
