BIG NEWS: I've been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR award!
- flora183
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Summer at Tillingford Hall, my debut novel, has been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR award! The winner will be announced at a Gala Dinner in London on 19th May.
This nomination is beyond thrilling and a vindication of my decision to self-publish my novels. I'll be delighted to hold my head high at the awards ceremony and speak up for independent publishing! I also hope this boost will enable me to sell more copies and give a bigger grant to my partner charity, the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, which is benefitting from the sales of this book. Read on...
FLORA DUNN SHORTLISTED IN THEROMANTIC NOVELISTS’ ASSOCIATION ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARDS 2025
Author Flora Dunn’s novel, Summer at Tillingford Hall has been shortlisted in the Debut Romantic Novel Award category for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) Romantic Novel Awards 2025. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.
Flora Dunn is the pen name of Primavera Moretti, a charity fundraiser by profession who has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. As an independently published author, her intention is to use her writing to support small charities. Summer at Tillingford Hall, her debut, is raising funds for the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, a drugs education charity.
Flora commented, “This nomination is beyond thrilling and a vindication of my decision to self-publish my novels. I'll be delighted to hold my head high at the awards ceremony and speak up for independent publishing! I also hope this boost means we’ll be able to raise more funds for drugs education.”
The Chair of the RNA, Seána Talbot said: “This year’s shortlist is a tremendous testament to romantic fiction’s diversity and strength. We are proud to celebrate these outstanding books and this exciting mix of new and established writers. They make a vital contribution to this popular, much-loved genre.”
Sharon Ibbotson, the RNA Awards Coordinator, said, “It’s a pleasure to announce these shortlists. Our reader-judges have once again chosen wonderful love stories as this year’s favourites, and their authors deserve their praise. Congratulations to all our finalists and thanks once again to our reader-judges – these awards wouldn’t happen without them.”
The awards, which began in 1960, celebrate the very best of romantic fiction and are highly respected within the UK publishing industry. Over the past 64 years, winners have included bestselling authors Santa Montefiore, Joe Heap, Julie Cohen and Milly Johnson. The finalists represent both independent and traditional publishers, reflecting romantic fiction’s dynamic market.
The award categories are as follows: The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award, the Romantic Thriller Award, the Debut Romantic Novel Award, the Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award, the Shorter Romantic Novel Award, the Romantic Saga Award, the Romantic Comedy Award, the Historical Romantic Novel Award, the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, and the Popular Romantic Fiction Award (voted for by librarians, booksellers and book bloggers/reviewers and readers.).
The Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers which is sponsored by the Estate of Dr David Hessayon will also be presented at the ceremony by Melissa Oliver (winner of the Award in 2020 and now its Coordinator). RNA President and Sunday Times Bestselling Author Sue Moorcroft will present the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award and RNA Chair and Award-winning Author Seana Talbot will present the remainder of the Awards. Award-winning author Brigid Coady will host the evening.
For the full list of finalists please visit romanticnovelistsassociation.org
Winners will be announced during the RNA’s Romantic Novel of the Year Awards ceremony, which is held this year at the Leonardo Royal London City Hotel, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London EC3N 2BQ on 19th May at 6.30pm. Tickets are available here https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/rna-events/romantic-novel-of-the-year-awards-2025
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