Awards Night
Last night it was the 30th annual Romance Writers of Australia Awards night, and this happened . . .
I was thrilled to bits, as this was my first (and so far only) self-published book. And of course, it’s a huge honor to win.
It was a bit of a weird night. You see the conference was in Queensland, and because of CoVid restrictions the Queensland borders were closed to those of us in Victoria (my state) and New South Wales (where Sydney is) — the states with the largest populations. Add to that the rule that people from other states would probably have to do a two week quarantine on returning home — which would take them into Christmas — and pretty much the only people who could attend were the Queenslanders.
So I, and most of the other winners and finalists were watching the presentations on line from our homes.
Still, it was interesting watching the evening from my lounge-room, often like a silent movie because they turned the sound off while people were eating, which felt a little creepy. *g* But I always enjoy seeing who’s finalling and who’s winning and seeing the newer writers come up through the various competitions RWAustralia runs. Some of the multi-published authors who were presenting the prizes, I recall as the unpublished competition winners of some years ago, so the whole affair has an on-going tribal feeling that I really enjoy.
I wasn’t able to make a speech but if I had I would have thanked my friends, in particular Keri Arthur, who helped enormously, Carol Marinelli, Alison Reynolds and Fay Thomev who each gave me excellent feedback on the story draft, and Pat Rice and Mary Jo Putney who gave me self-publishing advice and encouragement, as well as story feedback. I am blessed in my friends.
Congratulations to the other R*BY winners. Here’s the full list:
Contemporary Romance Her Cowboy Prince Madeline Ash
Historical Romance An Unexpected Companion Janis Linford
Novel with Romantic Elements Just an Ordinary Family Fiona Lowe
Romantic Suspense Easy Target Shannon Curtis
Speculative Fiction High Flyer Michelle Diener
Romance Novella The Christmas Bride Anne Gracie
Congratulations, Anne!! I’m so happy for you. And so sorry you couldn’t be there in person, but the win is no less sweet because of that :)
Thanks, Theo. It was a lovely surprise.
As a favorite author of mine, I am very happy you achieved this public recognition of your efforts.
Thanks very much, Ann. It’s especially nice as it is voted by reader judges — not a public vote, but regular readers who enrol to be judges of this award, and who are not connected with the authors at all.
Fantastic! Very pleased for you.
Thanks, Liz.
Anne, so happy that you won this recognition. I loved that story. It must have felt odd to watch the ceremony in your own home and not be able to speak up. Wishing you more wins in the future. I have loved all the books of yours that I have read and that is most of them. A big THANK YOU from one of your readers.
Margot
Thank you, Margot for those lovely words. I hope my books continue to please and entertain you. Yes, it was strange watching the ceremony from my couch, but it was still very enjoyable to watch. And a very nice surprise when my book came up. *g*
Huge congrats, Anne! Like you I wasn’t able to be there. Damn Covid restrictions! But I watched on YouTube and it was so good cheering the nominees, and especially the winners. All well deserved.
Enisa, it must have felt very strange to the Awards Night participants, with so many of “the usual suspects” absent. And yes, I love seeing the newbie writers coming up through the competitions.
Well deserved congatulations Anne! What a wonderful award!
Thanks so much Malvina — and thanks for all you do to support authors.
Love your writing, love that you won! Many congratulations!
Thanks, Melissa, lovely of you to say so.