Fleur McDonald

Bronwyn Parry

Saturday 14th August will see the announcement of the Australian Romance Book of the Year award. Affectionately known as The Ruby or R*BY, this is the RWA’s premier award and the only one of its kind in Australia. Voted on by Australian readers, the contest is open each year to any Australian or New Zealand romance author who has published a long or short romance novel.

The announcement for the winners is made at the conference dinner and, while it’s not as large as the American RITA’s presentation ceremony, it’s every bit as glamourous!! This year both Bronwyn  Parry and Fleur McDonald are finalist in the Romantic Elements Category. Fiona and I will be there to cheer them for both of them! Either one of them would be a deserving winner

I thought we’d have a three way chat with both of them so I hope you enjoy the post and feel free to ask any questions regarding the R*BY and the wonderful RWA!

Bron, tell us a bit about the history of the R*BY? How are the winners decided?

The R*BY awards are special in that they are judged by readers, not authors. Each year, RWAus calls for reader volunteers to judge for the R*BY awards, and those volunteers each read and score a number of books. A certain number of books final, and then they’re sent out for a second round of judging to readers, to decide the winners.

Fleur, this is the first time you’ve been a finalist in an RWA contest so what does it mean to you?

Well I must admit, I was really taken by surprise to be on the short list! I feel very honoured – especially since, as Bron has pointed out, it’s the readers who are judging. When I first started writing, my aim was to write something that I would like to read – I’m a fairly mainstream kind of reader, so it’s really exciting to think that Red Dust is resonating so well, with readers.

Bron, you’ve been on a roll with contests this year. What’s special about being a finalist in the R*BY?

As they’re judged by readers, they’re about books that have a special something that readers love – and since my aim in writing is to tell stories that people enjoy reading, it’s wonderful to be a finalist in these awards!

Fleur, how did you find out you were a finalist? Was it a phone call, email?

I had a phone call from my publicist at Allen and Unwin – she was jumping down the phone, which made me jump down the phone! It was all very exciting!

Bron, you were a finalist last year with you wonderful book, As Darkness Falls, so a mega congrats on achieving that two years in a row. Is it just as exciting second time round?

Yes! The first time around, there’s a little voice of self-doubt that says it could be a fluke. But finalling two years in a row is a wonderful affirmation, and I am so pleased that my characters and their stories are resonating with readers.

Fleur, I’m sure you must disappointed that you can’t join us at the conference. Are there plans to make the big trek east next year?

Yeah, I am really disappointed. Especially to let such a wonderful opportunity to meet other authors and readers, go past.  It’s too far ahead for me to plan anything for next year – I have some members of my family that are quite ill and of course the farm and kids take precedence. But if the opportunity arose for me to go, I’d be there in a heart beat!

Bron and  I hope Fleur is coming next year too! Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck on the night! You all deserve your place on the short list.

Full list of Finalist in the 2010 R*BY Award

Short Sweet Category:

Sharon Archer – Marriage Reunited: Baby On The Way
Sharon Archer – Single Father: Wife And Mother Wanted
CC Coburn – Colorado Christmas
Emily Forbes – Wanted: A Father For Her Twins

Long Romance Category:

Sophia James – Mistletoe Magic
Stephanie Laurens – Mastered By Love
Stephanie Laurens – Temptation And Surrender
Christine Wells – Wicked Little Game

Short Sexy Category:

Amy Andrews – A Doctor, A Nurse: A Christmas Baby
Robyn Grady – Bedded By Blackmail
Kelly Hunter – Playboy Boss, Live-in Mistress
Tessa Radley – Billion-Dollar Baby Bargain
Romantic Elements Category:
Fleur McDonald – Red Dust
Tracey O’Hara – Night’s Cold Kiss
Bronwyn Parry – Dark Country
Katherine Scholes – The Hunter’s Wife