November 18, 2012

It may be a lazy Sunday morning but I’m still buzzing from The Festival of Romance Awards on Friday night – not only because it was a fabulous, fun and ultra glamorous affair but because Miranda’s Mount won the Best e book award!

There’s so much to say, I don’t feel I can do the evening justice but I’ll try. I travelled to the Awards venue as a guest of Julia, the MD of E-scape with a Book Press, who publish several Coffee Crew authors. We stayed at the cheap and cheerful Travelodge on the edge of town.

The venue for the award was the Bedford Corn Exchange Harpur Suite – a very grand and huge neo-classical room built in the 1870s.The room was packed with over 100 writers, guests, readers, bloggers, agents and publishers and looked magnificent. As for the glam factor: everyone had pulled out all the stops. I have posted only a few photos here but there are more on my Facebook page.

The awards were announced before dinner – all the shortlisted writers stood at the front of the room and the names were announced to whoops and cheers. I *genuinely* did not expect to win my category, so when my name was read out I was dumbstruck. I was also incoherent when Margaret James came to interview me for a Writing magazine – so sorry, Margaret, it wasn’t the drink (totally!) but you can also blame my lovely ed for buying me another huge glass of wine…

I’ve listed the award winners at the bottom of the post. Massive congratulations to everyone shortlisted and especially to Celia Anderson, Beth Chambers and Terri Nixon who won publishing contracts with Piatkus Entice!

I had only five hours sleep after the awards dinner which was followed by dancing to a disco … some interesting moves on that dance floor, many of them probably mine! The next morning, I found that most of the party goers had been awake early – or half the night.

The Festival is now into its third day with a Historical Meet the Authors afternoon tea, workshops and more.

There was so much going on across Bedford, that I couldn’t possibly report on it all. I’m sure there will be dozens of blogs, hundreds of photos, Tweets etc about the event. On Saturday we headed off the The Lane Bar and Coffee House and to read in public at the Harpur Shopping Centre …but more on that story later this week!

The Winners List

Here is the full list of award winners:

Best Romantic Read:

Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman

Best Historical Read:

The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay

Best Short Romance:

Dancing with Danger by Fiona Harper

Best Ebook:

Miranda’s Mount by Philipa Ashley

Best Author Published:

The School Gates by Nicola May

Best Romantic Film:

Jane Eyre

Best Romantic TV programme:

Downton Abbey

Innovation Award (Publisher):

DC Thomson

Innovation Award (Author):

Mandy Baggot

Publisher of the Year:

Choc Lit

Literary Agent of the Year:

Jane Judd

New Talent Award:

Winner: Lesley Eames

Highly Commended: Cathy Lennon and Sue Jackson

Piatkus Entice Win a Publishing Contract Competition:

Celia Anderson

Beth Chambers

Terri Nixon

Hall of Fame Award:

Katie Fforde

Black Lace

Laura Longrigg

Congratulations to the organisers, helpers and everyone involved for putting on a fab event that reached out to readers, authors and the industry. Long may it continue.

Share:

1. On November 18th, 2012 at 7:15 am
   Christine Harding Says:
   

   Well done Phillipa!

2. On November 18th, 2012 at 11:12 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thanks, Chris!

3. On November 18th, 2012 at 11:39 am
   Talli Roland Says:
   

   Huge congrats to you and all the winners! It was a great night!

4. On November 18th, 2012 at 11:59 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   It was a great night and loved the whole event. You looked lovely.

5. On November 18th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
   Shaz Goodwin Says:
   

   Congratulations Phillipa. And to all winners!

6. On November 18th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
   Carol mcgrath Says:
   

   Fabulous pics and great memories of a wonderful evening and congratulations.

7. On November 18th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   A fab event, all round – thanks Carol. x

8. On November 18th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hi Shaz. Thank you for dropping by.:)

9. On November 18th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
   Rosy Thornton Says:
   

   CONGRATULATIONS!!! And what lovely photos! xxx

10. On November 18th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Hi Rosy – congrats on your East Anglian Ficton prize too.

11. On November 19th, 2012 at 10:58 am
    Liz Hanbury Says:
    

    Many congratulations – very well deserved win!

12. On December 31st, 2012 at 1:44 pm
    Stevie Carroll Says:
    

    Did I congratulate you at the time?

    Congratulations (again) anyway!

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