Yesterday an official press release went out from the Romantic Novelists’ Association, which means that I can now give out the news I’m bursting to tell! My first novel, The Silk Romance, is one of the contenders for the Joan Hessayon award – a national award for new writers, judged by a panel of readers from the RNA. How exciting is that!
It’s hard to believe that the novel I began writing during the dreary commute to work has now not only been published, but is one of the seventeen novels put forward for this award.
Here’s a list of the other contenders. You might recognise some of their names if you’ve been following this blog, because many of the writers on the list have been guests of mine here – and what genuinely lovely guests these authors were, too! I’ve put a link to the author’s name where there’s an interview to go with it, so you can find out more about them.
So here we go with the list of fabulous debuts:
Sweet Proposal by Celia J Anderson (Piatkus)
Gracie’s War by Elaine Everest (Pulse)
The Silk Romance by Helena Fairfax (MuseItUp) (that’s me!!!)
United States of Love by Sue Fortin (Harper Impulse)
Too Charming by Kathryn Freeman(Choc Lit) (to be interviewed here on 6th May)
The Return of Mrs Jones by Jessica Gilmore (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
Truth or Dare? by Laura E James (Choc Lit)
The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones (Harlequin Australia)
Sweet Nothing by Alison May (Choc Lit) (to be interviewed here on 20th May)
Plus One is a Lucky Number by Teresa F. Morgan (Harper Impulse)
Once a Bad Girl by Jane O’Reilly (Escape)
The Ghost House by Helen Phifer (Carina UK)
Desperately Seeking Heaven by Jill Steeples (Carina UK)
The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas (Accent Press)
Goodbye Henrietta Street by Lin Treadgold (Safkhet Publishing)
Yes Chef, No Chef by Susan Willis (Endeavour) (to be interviewed here on 11th May)
Thank You For the Music by Jennifer Young (Tirgearr)
The Joan Hessayon Award is sponsored by Dr David Hessayon in honour of his late wife Joan, who was a longstanding member of the RNA and a supporter of its New Writers’ Scheme. The award will be presented at the RNA Summer Party on 22nd May at the Royal Over-Seas League, Park Place, London.
And in just over three weeks I’ll be travelling down from Yorkshire to London, getting out of my dog-walking wellies for once and into my best dress and high heels, meeting the other authors on this list actually for real, and not just in cyber-space, and I’m actually more excited about the party than I am about the award!
I’ve read almost all the books on the list now (just a couple more to go), and what a great selection of talent. Congratulations to all the other contenders!
Helena Fairfax 
Exciting indeed! Congratulations Helena.
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Thanks so much, Kate!
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Wishing you all the very best with this, Helena – I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time! And may I say that I think you’ve been lovely in mentioning al the other contenders and hosting them on your blog.
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Thanks, Ros! I’m looking forward to being a guest on your blog on 15th May. And thanks for your lovely comment!
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Well done, Helena and good luck! I sent off for my ticket to the party today so will hopefully see you there :)
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Oh that’s great, Julie! I’m so looking forward to meeting you!
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Likewise :)
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Congrats! What exciting news :D
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Thanks, Harliqueen! I’m super-excited – as you can tell! – especially about getting to meet other authors I really admire at the party. Hope I’m not too stage-struck. Will post some photos, etc, after the event. Thanks for your comment!
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How wonderful!!! Congrats, Helena I’m so happy for you. Have a wonderful time!!!
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This is fabulous news, Helena! Congratulations!!!
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Thanks so much, Mary and Susan!
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Helena – that is so exciting AND impressive! Way to go!! My fingers are crossed!
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Thanks, Penny! I’m very excited – and nervous!!
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Can’t wait to meet you, Helena x I’m worried about the shoes. If you ever look at the RNA party pictures… it’s always of the shoes! lol!
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I know what you mean about the shoes. I have the perfect pair…except they’re absolutely crippling! Do I torture myself, or go for practical comfort?! Thanks for being a guest here, and I look forward to meeting you in real life!
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Well I’m coming by train… got to walk to the station, then the tubes… (flipflops in handbag maybe required).
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Good thinking, Teresa!
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Congratulation, Helena!
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Thanks very much, Patricia! Very kind of you!
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So happy for you! Congrats!
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Thanks, JQ! Wish you were in London, too. Now that would be a party!
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