Irene Hannon, best-selling author of more than 50 novels, won her third RITA Award and was inducted into the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Hall of Fame in a special presentation July 25 in New York City. The black-tie awards and induction ceremony took place before an audience of more than 2,000 publishing industry professionals from around the world.

During the 35-year history of RWA, only 16 authors have achieved Hall of Fame status. Other notable members include Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The only other inspirational author to achieve this milestone is Francine Rivers.

Hannon’s seventh nomination and third RITA win was for her best-selling suspense novel Deceived (Revell/Baker Publishing Group).

Romance Writers of America’s more than 10,000 members include authors, publishers and agents. More than a dozen countries were represented at the New York event.

RWA presents the RITA Award annually to authors whose works are judged to represent the best romance fiction of the year. One winner in each of 12 categories is selected from approximately 2,000 entries.

Hannon has written more than 50 novels and is the recipient of many publishing industry honors, including the HOLT Medallion, Carol Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, Readers Choice, Booksellers Best, Retailers Choice Award and the Booklist Top 10.

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