This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
The Romantic Novelists' Association has announced the shortlist for its prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for new writers with seven of the 17 titles from e-only or e-first imprints or publishers.
Digital publisher Carina UK has two books shortlisted – The Ghost House by Helen Phifer and Desperately Seeking Heaven by Jill Steeples.
Ireland-based Tirgearr’s e-book Thank You For the Music by Jennifer Young also made the list, as did titles from UK-based Endeavour Press with Yes Chef, No Chef by Susan Willis, and MuseItUp with Helena Fairfax’s The Silk Romance. Myrmidon's e-first imprint Pulse also appears with Gracie’s War by Elaine Everest.
Pia Fenton, current RNA Chairman, said: "As always, the list of contenders shows the incredible diversity of RNA authors and I am absolutely delighted that there is such a bumper crop of graduates from our New Writers’ Scheme this year. It shows that romantic fiction continues to go from strength to strength and that our mentoring really works.”
The full shortlist for 2014 is:
Celia J Anderson Sweet Proposal, PiatkusElaine Everest Gracie's War, Pulse
Helena Fairfax The Silk Romance, MuseItUp
Sue Fortin United States of Love, Harper Impulse
Kathryn Freeman Too Charming, Choc Lit
Jessica Gilmore The Return of Mrs Jones, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Laura E James Truth or Dare?, Choc Lit
Jennie Jones The House on Burra Burra Lane, Harlequin Australia
Alison May Sweet Nothing, Choc Lit
Teresa F. Morgan Plus One is a Lucky, Number Harper Impulse
Jane O’Reilly Once a Bad Girl, Escape
Helen Phifer The Ghost House, Carina UK
Jill Steeples Desperately Seeking Heaven, Carina UK
Jo Thomas The Oyster Catcher, Accent Press
Lin Treadgold Goodbye Henrietta Street, Safkhet Publishing
Susan Willis Yes Chef, No Chef, Endeavour
Jennifer Young Thank You For the Music, Tirgearr
The Award itself will be presented at the RNA Summer Party on May 22 in London. Congratulations to the shortlisted authors!