Radclyffe (real name Dr. Lenora Ruth Barot, born 1950) is an American author of lesbian romance, paranormal romance, erotica, and mystery. She has authored multiple short stories, written fan fiction, and edited numerous anthologies. Radclyffe is a member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame and a founder of the Golden Crown Literary Society. She has won numerous literary awards, including the RWA/GDRWA Booksellers' Best award, the RWA/Orange County Book Buyers Best award, the RWA/New England Bean Pot award, the RWA/VCRW Laurel Wreath award, the RWA/FTHRW Lories award, the RWA/HODRW Aspen Gold award, the RWA Prism award, the Golden Crown Literary Award, and the Lambda Literary Award. She is a 2003/04 recipient of the Alice B Readers Award for her body of work. In 2014, the Lambda Literary Foundation awarded Barot with the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award acknowledging her as an established author with a strong following and the promise of future high-quality work. In 2015 she was a featured author in the award-winning documentary film about the romance writing and reading community, Love Between the Covers, from Blueberry Hill Productions. In 2019 she was named a Trailblazer in Romance by the Romance Writers of America, for her works of LGBTQ+ fiction. In 2021, she was named one of The Advocate's Women of the Year, and in 2022, she was named to the Out100. In April 2025, Radclyffe was named to the 2025 Curve Power List, which "celebrates LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals making seismic shifts in North America-shaping culture, policy, and social change."
Barot founded the independent LGBTQ+ publishing company Bold Strokes Books in 2004, whose mission is to publish quality works of LGBTQ+ fiction and to create visibility and opportunities for own-voices authors. She has given many workshops on the craft of writing, both face-to-face and online, to authors at all stages of development.
She lives with her wife, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Dr. Lee Ligon, in Johnsonville, New York.
She is a double-boarded General/Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon who retired from medicine in 2004 to devote herself full-time to writing and publishing. Barot chooses not to type, instead using speech recognition software to write her books.Patricia Farrell (October 7, 2004) Plastic surgeon by day Provincetown Banner. Retrieved on May 26, 2007.
Early life and education Barot was valedictorian of the June 1968 graduating class of Hudson Falls High School in Hudson Falls, New York, after which she attended the State University of New York at Albany.
Barot graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1976.
Literary awards and honors YearWorkAwardResultRef.2024Fire in the SkyGolden Crown Literary Award for Contemporary Romance (with Julie Cannon)Winner2022UnrivaledGolden Crown Literary Award finalistFinalist2020Cost of HonorRWA/GDRWA Booksellers' Best AwardWinner2018Secret HeartsRWA/Orange County Book Buyers Best Award1st place2017The Color of LoveGolden Crown Literary Award for Traditional Contemporary RomanceWinnerHeart StopForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceFinalistForeword Reviews' INDIES for LGBT FictionFinalist2016Price of HonorRWA/Orange County Book Buyers Best for Suspense & Mystery with Romantic Elements1st place2014Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist PrizeWinnerAgainst Doctor's OrdersForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceFinalistBest Lesbian RomanceGolden Crown Literary Award for Anthology/CollectionsWinnerCode of HonorGolden Crown Literary Award for Romantic Suspense/Intrigue/AdventureWinnerHomesteadGolden Crown Literary Award for Traditional Contemporary RomanceWinnerMyth and MagicForeword Reviews' INDIES for LGBT FictionFinalist2013HomesteadForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceFinalistOMG QueerOver the Rainbow List for Middle/Early Young Adult Nonfiction SelectionGolden Crown Literary Award for Anthology/CollectionsWinnerWomen of the Dark StreetsGolden Crown Literary Award for Anthology/CollectionsWinner2012Blood HuntVolusia County Romance Writers' Laurel Wreath AwardWinnerCrossroadsForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceWinner (bronze)OMG QueerForeword Reviews' INDIES for Gay & LesbianFinalist2011Best Lesbian Romance Lambda Literary Award for AnthologyFinalistFirestormForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceWinner (silver)Trauma AlertIPPY Award for RomanceWinner (silver)2010In Deep Waters 2: Cruising the StripLambda Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinnerTrauma AlertForeword Reviews' INDIES for RomanceFinalist2009Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of FameDeep Waters 2: Cruising the StripLambda Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinnerJustice for AllForeword Reviews' INDIES for MysteryFinalistThe Lonely Hearts Club Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian RomanceFinalistRomantic Interludes 2: SecretsForeword Reviews' INDIES for Short StoryFinalist2008Erotic Interludes 5: Road GamesGolden Crown Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinnerIn Deep Waters: Cruising The SeasGolden Crown Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinnerNight CallForeword Reviews' INDIES for Gay & LesbianWinnerWhen Dreams Tremble Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian RomanceFinalist2007Erotic Interludes 4: Extreme PassionsGolden Crown Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinnerPromising HeartsGolden Crown Literary Award for Traditional Contemporary RomanceWinnerTurn Back Time Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian RomanceFinalist2006Distant Shores, Silent Thunder Lambda Literary Award for RomanceWinnerJustice ServedGolden Crown Literary Award for Mystery / Action / Adventure / ThrillerWinnerLambda Literary Award for Lesbian MysteryFinalistStolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian EroticaWinner2005Fated LoveGolden Crown Literary Award for Traditional Contemporary RomanceWinnerJustice in the ShadowsGolden Crown Literary Society Award for Mystery / Action / Adventure / ThrillerWinner2004Alice B Readers AwardWinner
Works
The Provincetown Tales
Safe Harbor Beyond the Breakwater Distant Shores, Silent Thunder Storms of Change Winds of Fortune Returning Tides Sheltering Dunes Treacherous Seas
Honor Series
Above All, Honor Honor Bound Love & Honor Honor Guards Honor Reclaimed Honor Under Siege Word of Honor Oath of Honor (crossover with First Responders Novels) Code of Honor Price of Honor Cost of Honor
Justice Series
A Matter of Trust (prequel) Shield of Justice In Pursuit of Justice Justice in the Shadows Justice Served Justice for All
PMC Hospital Romances
Passion’s Bright Fury (prequel) Fated Love Night Call Crossroads Passionate Rivals Unrivaled Perfect Rivalry First Responders Novels Trauma Alert Firestorm Taking Fire Wild Shores Heart Stop Dangerous Waters
Rivers Community Romances
Against Doctor’s Orders Prescription for Love Love on Call Love After Hours Love to the Rescue Love on the Night Shift Pathway to Love Finders Keepers Red Sky Ranch Romances (with Julie Cannon)
Fire in the Sky Wild Fire
Romances Innocent Hearts Promising Hearts Love’s Melody Lost Love’s Tender Warriors Tomorrow’s Promise Love’s Masquerade shadowland Turn Back Time When Dreams Tremble The Lonely Hearts Club Secrets in the Stone Desire by Starlight Homestead The Color of Love Secret Hearts Only This Summer Fearless Hearts (forthcoming 2025) When Love Comes Around (with Ronica Black; forthcoming 2025)
Short Fiction Collected Stories by Radclyffe Erotic Interludes: Change Of Pace Radical Encounters Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.: Erotic Interludes Vol. 2–5 Romantic Interludes Vol. 1–2 Breathless: Tales of Celebration Women of the Dark Streets Amor and More: Love Everafter Myth & Magic: Queer Fairy Tales
Midnight Hunters Series (Writing as L.L. Raand) The Midnight Hunt Blood Hunt Night Hunt The Lone Hunt The Magic Hunt Shadow Hunt Rogue Hunt Enchanted Hunt Primal Hunt
Edited Anthologies Best Lesbian Romance 2009 Best Lesbian Romance 2010 Best Lesbian Romance 2011 Best Lesbian Romance 2012 Best Lesbian Romance 2013 Best Lesbian Romance 2014 Best Lesbian Romance of the Year, Vol 1 (2015) In Deep Waters 1: Cruising the Seas In Deep Waters 2: Cruising the Strip OMG Queer
Video Radclyffe is featured in the documentary Love Between the Covers, "An entertaining and inspiring look into the billion-dollar romance fiction industry and its powerhouse of female writers and readers, a sisterhood that’s pioneering the digital revolution while finding fortune, fulfillment, and a global community."
References
External links Radfic Productions Bold Strokes Books