Africa's first RWA Rita® Nominee

Congratulations to ROSA Chairperson Romy Sommer for becoming the first ever South African (and first ever romance writer resident in Africa) to be nominated for the RWA's prestigious Rita® award. 

Romy, author of four contemporary romance novels published by HarperCollins as well as four self-published historical novellas, has been nominated for a 2016 RWA Rita® Award in the Mid-Length Contemporary Category for her latest novel, Not a Fairy Tale.

Run by Romance Writers of America® (RWA) for over thirty years, this contest is the highest award of distinction in romance fiction internationally, the 'Oscars' of romance writing. Past winners include bestselling authors Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Barbara Freethy.

Up to 2,000 novels are entered annually into 12 categories. This year’s winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on July 16 at the RWA’s Annual Conference in San Diego, California. 

Not a Fairy Tale is a Hollywood romance, featuring a brawny stuntman hero and the career-driven actress who hires him to train her for the role of a lifetime. Building on Romy’s experience in the film industry, this light-hearted novel has been described as “enchanting sizzling, adult fairy tale.”

For more information on Romy Sommer and her books, visit her website at www.romysommer.com.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Before you all disappear into the sunset to enjoy your well deserved holidays ... don't forget about the annual contest run by Amazon to discover that new voice in fiction! Amazon will be accepting entries for this from the 23rd of January 2012. 

Don't know what it's all about? If you are an author of general fiction or young adult fiction with an unpublished or previously self-published novel waiting to be discovered, click here to visit the Amazon site and find out more. 

Each grand prize winner will be published by the Penguin Group who run this competition together with Amazon! 

The competition closes on the 5th of February 2012 and only 5000 entries will be accepted in each category. Good luck to all those entering!