The contenders of the Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme Award, run by the Romantic Novelists’ Association to encourage fresh talent, has been announced.
Manuscripts submitted by unpublished New Writers' Scheme members and subsequently published as a debut novel become eligible for this Award, provided the author is still a member of the RNA.
The nine contenders for the Joan Hessayon Award 2013 are:
Joss Alexander : Tainted Innocence published by Carina Press
Jenny Barden : Mistress of the Sea published by Ebury Press/Random House
Serena Clarke : All Over the Place published by Crimson Romance
Henriette Gyland : Up Close published by Choc Lit
Liz Harris : The Road Back published by Choc Lit
Carol McGrath : T he Handfasted Wife published by Accent Press
Cathy Mansell : Shadow Across the Liffey, published by Tirgearr Publishing
Liesel Schwarz : A Conspiracy of Alchemists published by Ebury Press/DelRey
Anne Stenhouse : Mariah's Marriage published by MuseItUp Publishing
This award, sponsored by Dr David Hessayon in honour of his late wife Joan, who was a longstanding member of the RNA and a supporter of the New Writers' Scheme, will be presented on 16 May at the RNA Summer Party in London, as well as the award for the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year.
Romantic Novelists’ Association Website