Tring Authors Shortlisted for National Writing Prize

Two novelists (and good friends) from Tring have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 2019 Romantic Novel Awards.

Julie Caplin (right) is up for The Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel, and her friend Donna Ashcroft is up for The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel.

Bestselling historical novelist Alison Weir will present the Awards for 2019 during a ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 4 March.

The RNA’s awards are the only national literary prizes that recognise excellence in the genre of romantic fiction. In 2019 they comprise the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year, the Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, the Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year, the Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award, the Fantasy Romantic Novel of the Year, the Shorter Romantic Novel of the Year Award and the Debut Romantic Novel of the Year Award, sponsored by bestselling author Katie Fforde.

The RNA will also present an Outstanding Achievement Award to a writer who has made an extraordinary contribution to the field of romantic fiction.

Julie Caplin is one of 6 finalists in The Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel category with her novel The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, published by HarperImpulse.

In The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, publicist Kate Sinclair’s life in London is everything she thought she wanted: success, glamour and a charming boyfriend. Until that boyfriend goes behind her back and snatches a much sought-after promotion from her. Heartbroken and questioning everything, Kate needs to escape.

From candles and cosy nights in to romantic late-night walks through the beautiful cobbled streets of Copenhagen, Kate discovers how to live life ˜the Danish way”. Can the secrets of hygge and happiness lead her to her own happily-ever-after?

Donna Ashcroft is one of 3 finalists in The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel category with her novel Summer at the Castle Café, published by Bookouture.

In Summer at the Castle Café, Alice Appleton’s boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, just after she has lost her mother, she escapes to the stunning Dorset coast and takes a job at the crumbling Castle Café. There she meets the mysterious and handsome Jay O’Donnell, who saves lives as a lifeboat volunteer. Can they both find a second chance this summer?

Donna Ashcroft said, ‘My family love visiting Swanage in Dorset, which inspired the book’s location. I researched lifeboat volunteers which was valuable in shaping the character of lifeboat volunteer Jay O’Donnell. My daughter and I are also big fans of baking and really enjoyed trying out various recipes to perfect the death by chocolate cake featured in the story.’

She said, ‘I’m so delighted to have been short-listed for this prestigious award – being published has been a dream come true and this is the icing on the cake!’

A number of years ago when Julie Caplin became serious about writing, she set up the Tring Writers Circle along with a couple of other people she’d met on a creative writing evening course at Tring School. One of the people who joined not long after was Donna Ashcroft, who, like Julie, wanted to write romantic fiction.

Since then the two women have become the best of friends, supporting each other on their writing journey to get published. Now they meet up every week for Friday write-in sessions, brainstorming new plot ideas and for prosecco evenings when they’ve got something to celebrate.

Commenting about her novel being shortlisted for the RoNAs, Julie said, ‘Having worked on these awards when I was previously on the RNA committee, I know how fiercely contested this category is contested, so I am thrilled to have been shortlisted this year. And it’s wonderful that both Donna Ashcroft and I have been shortlisted for different awards, as we really have shared our writing journeys together.’

Since its inception in 1960 the RNA has promoted excellence in romantic fiction and RNA Chair, Nicola Cornick, commented, ‘Romantic fiction in the 21st century is diverse and exciting and this year’s shortlist brilliantly reflects the breadth of the genre. We are very proud to celebrate these outstanding books and authors, and the contribution they make to such a successful and popular genre.’