Local author Eva Frances wins two Romance Writers of America awards

Australian author Eva Frances has won two Diamond Heart Awards, presented by the Romance Writers of America for her debut novel, The Next Round (self-published).

The Next Round won both the Contemporary Romance and Best First Book awards for 2025/2026, announced on 18 July at the Romance Writers of America annual conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Diamond Heart Awards “recognise authors who have mastered the craft of romance writing and showcase their talent and creativity in producing romances that are equitable and inclusive and are exemplary models of the romance genre”.

Frances is a Sydney-based author of contemporary romance and literary fiction.

She said, “To have The Next Round recognised by Romance Writers of America in not one, but two categories, is incredibly special.”

Frances described The Next Round as a “friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance about timing, trust, and the messy, hopeful business of opening your heart again”. Set in Sydney, the novel follows two old friends who are unexpectedly reunited 5 years after their relationship fractured.

The Next Round has also won the HOLT Medallion for Best First Book, the IndieReader Discovery Award for Romance, the Passionate Plume Award for Contemporary Romance, and the Emma Award for Debut Author of the Year.

A full list of winners is available on the Romance Writers of America website.

Category: Local news