A STROUD-based author says she is "thrilled" to have won a special award.
The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) announced that their president and bestselling author Katie Fforde was the recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.
This was in recognition of her "exceptional contribution" to romantic fiction.
"I am thrilled and delighted to receive this award," said Ms Fforde.
"The RNA has been part of my life for nearly 40 years.
"So this is extra special."
The author - who has sold over 4.5 million books in the UK alone - lives in the Cotswold countryside with her family.
She has been president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association since 2011 and founded the Katie Fforde Bursary to support aspiring authors.
Jean Fullerton, RNA chair said: "The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest accolade our organisation bestows.
"This year we are honoured to present it to bestselling author Katie Fforde.
"Katie is a wonderful ambassador for the organisation and has championed the romantic fiction genre for decades.
"She is loved and respected across the industry and by her readers around the world."
Katie’s debut novel Living Dangerously, published in 1995, was snapped up by a publisher before she’d even finished writing it.
Since then, she’s written a further 29 novels, a collection of short stories and a Quick Read for The Reading Agency’s 2021 campaign.
Her books have sold over 4.5 million copies in the UK alone and have continued to top the bestseller charts through her almost 30-year career.
As someone who understands the struggles of years of rejection as a writer, Katie has always been an advocate and supporter of other aspiring and debut writers at the start of their careers.
She founded the Katie Fforde Bursary to support aspiring romantic fiction authors, awarding each year an annual RNA subscription and a place at their conference, where they would have the chance to meet agents and other writers.
She works with and supports The Stroud Book Festival, and is the founder and sponsor of The Laurie Lee Prize for Writing.
Katie will be presented with her trophy at the RNA’s Romantic Novel Awards ceremony, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London on Monday, March 6.
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