Novelicious Chats to Andrew Saffron about the Melissa Nathan Awards

The annual Melissa Nathan awards for Comedy Romance are being held next week. We are absolutely delighted that Melissa's husband, Andrew, agreed to answer some questions about the awards and about Melissa herself. Thanks, Andrew.

If you have yet to read Melissa's novels I highly recommend them. They are so warm and very funny. The Nanny is one of my all time faves. You can find out more about Melissa by clicking here. 

Pictures – Last year's awards and Andrew and Melissa's son, Sam, presenting a cheque to the chosen Melissa Nathan Foundation charity.

Can you tell us a little about how the awards came about?

As you know, Melissa was a best selling writer of Comedy Romance books.  For 5 years she was writing while undergoing extensive treatment for Breast Cancer.  (She always hated people using the expression “battling cancer.”  She would say “it’s my Oncologist’s job to battle the cancer; it’s my job to live with it.”)  In the end, we were told that Melissa only had a few weeks left to live.  She spent this time writing letters to our beautiful son, Sam (he had just turned 3 at the time) and wrapping birthday and Christmas presents for him – that I would give him (on her behalf) each year until he’s 18.

 

It was during this time that Melissa’s Mum suggested having an award in her name.  Melissa’s modesty was legendary and she hated the idea of having her name on the award.  But she liked the idea of creating the only award – I think, in the world – for the most popular genre of books.  I took, the idea to Melissa’s fantastic agent (Maggie Phillips at Ed Victor Ltd) and her amazing editor (Kate Elton at Random House).  They loved the idea and helped me to get the award off the ground.  We decided to hold the awards ceremony each year as close as we could to Melissa’s birthday so that it felt like a party.  I still can’t think of a better way to remember my beautiful wife than to have fun each year with 200 people who are all thinking about her.

 

 

The romantic comedy genre is hugely popular. Why do you think this is?

Melissa preferred to use the words “Comedy Romance” in that order (rather than Romantic Comedy) because she thought that the Comedy is more important than the Romance – if you had laughter in your life then you were pretty much sorted; romance is just a fantastic bonus.

 

These books are such a fantastic way to relax, smile, laugh, cry and pretty much forget the washing up, the laundry pile, the idiot boss and all the other stuff that gets in the way of making life easy and happy.

 

I’ve learned from running these awards for 4 years now that when these books are good, they’re fantastic (and when they’re bad…..oh boy.)  But most of all, I’ve learned that it’s really hard to write good Comedy Romance.  Actually, I think the Romance bit is the easier part; it’s the Comedy that’s incredibly difficult to write well.

 

 

What are the judging criteria for the award? You must have to read a lot of books!

Actually, Melissa wrote the criteria herself, just before she died.  Here’s a verbatim extract of what she wrote:

“The first part of this award is for a book that is suffused with humour, where the jokes are not an added extra, but where the writer’s voice and the comedy are interdependent.

The second part of this award – and equally important – is that the romance is utterly believable and so important to the reader that the romance is a page-turner.”

 

We have about 40 readers up and down the country who read all the entries (about 80 every year).  Each book gets read by 4 different readers and we collate their scores to create the short-list.  The 5 or 6 short-listed books are read by the Judges.  The Judges, Maggie and myself meet for a slap-up lunch and to decide on the winner.  Jo Brand and Sophie Kinsella have been judges since the first year and they – like all the judges – have been breathtakingly supportive, helpful, lovely and funny!

 

Can you tell us a little about the Melissa Nathan Foundation?

The Melissa Nathan Foundation was founded to provide financial support for families that are in crisis. Melissa would frequently do this herself without ever telling any one about it. The stories of her kindness and generosity in helping families in their moments of need have only emerged since she died.

Our wish is to continue to help families in Melissa’s name.

The families might be struggling to cope with illness, incapacity, poverty or other domestic crisis. Whatever the cause, we want to help deal with the consequences.

So far we’ve  raised about £60,000 – every penny of which has gone to incredibly worthy causes.  For example, last year we gave £10,000 to Honeypot – a charity that provides respite care and support to children who have to care for disabled or sick parents.  Some of the stories I heard about from the amazing people at Honeypot made me sob at the challenges these children face and at the same time grin at the incredible fortitude that these amazing kids show every day.

 

What is the best way for our readers to donate, should they wish to?

That would be incredibly kind!!  The easiest way to donate is by going to www.justgiving.com/melissanathanfoundation

 

Check in next week for an exclusive Novelicious report on the Melissa Nathan awards 🙂