This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Since they began back in 2007, The Melissa Nathan Awards have quickly become the most anticipated award for comedy romance writers and readers in the UK. The criteria for the award were drawn up by Melissa Nathan – A bestselling author of funny, romantic novels. Sadly, Melissa died of cancer in 2006. The awards are held in her honour.
As a few of you will know, I was lucky enough to interview Andrew (Melissa’s husband) about the awards (you can read this interview by clicking here). And you can imagine my complete excitement when I (and a guest) were invited by Andrew, to attend the awards ourselves. Of course, I accepted. I’m so glad I did. It was a brilliant night.
So I arrive at Café de Paris with my sister, Net, in tow. The entrance has an actual celeb style red carpet. I toy with the idea doing some Renee Zellweger over the shoulder poses, and getting Net to take pics on her camera phone. I decide against it, on account of the fact that it is too early in the night to be ousted as a chump.
Two burly bouncers hold back a rope and wave us in. They kindly ignore our squeals.
Inside, the club is all opulent colours, soft fabrics and glittery lights. We happen upon a huge tray of champagne. Not just any old champagne. Free champagne. It tastes good.
I spot a few familiar faces, but before I can go mingle, we are called down into the auditorium…the awards are about to begin!
We sit down. I realise I’m sitting only two rows behind Sophie Kinsella. Should I just pop over and declare my love for her? We’re really close. I could just whisper it really loudly and hope she hears? No. Not yet. It is too early in the night to be ousted as a chump.
Jo Brand comes onto the stage and makes everybody laugh. She tells us more about the awards, the nominated books, and introduces the judges – Liza Tarbuck, Morwenna Banks, Joanna Trollope, and Sophie Kinsella. We are then treated to a performance by David Arnold, a very successful film composer. His voice is wonderful.
Melissa’s husband Andrew takes to the stage, along with their son, Sam. Andrew tells a very funny anecdote about his psychologist barber, and talks about the awards. He is warm and lovely. Sam (the cutest kid, ever) speaks about the awards, and the Melissa Nathan foundation. His speech is so utterly sweet, that I’m pretty sure the entire audience are in tears. Me included.
At the interval, I nip outside, where I bump into Isobel Akenhead (Hodder). It’s great to finally meet her and we have a lovely chat before going back inside.
Inside, I meet Lindsey Kelk, (one of the nominees). She is charming and funny. We get excited about the fact the Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy will be performing later. While we are chatting Katie Fforde walks past. I’m a bit star-struck and quickly introduce myself. She is very gracious, but doesn’t know who I am!
I get to meet a few other industry types (all very nice) and Allie Spencer (another one of the nominees), who tells me some exciting, secret news (which I’m sure she’ll let you know about soon enough). It’s so nice to meet people I’ve been chatting to online. Even more thrilling is the fact that they are actual humans and not the walking avatars I once imagined…
When the interval is over, we take our seats for the announcement of the award.
I have my favourite (though, obvs I cannot tell you who!). The whole audience is excited to hear the results.
And the winner is…
Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles!!
Janet accepts a gorgeous glass trophy and makes a speech. She says,
“What a thrill to receive the Melissa Nathan Award! I am grateful to Melissa Nathan for her generosity in inspiring this prize, and am honoured to have the support of such an impressive jury of well-known performers and literary figures. Growing up in small-town America, I dreamed of Europe and longed to be a writer. Winning this Award exceeded my dreams.”
At which point I welled up again.
The other nominees gracefully accepted their trophies. I clapped until my hands hurt. I drunk some more champagne, and ate a few canapes. I had a fabulous night.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Rachel Lee and Andrew Saffron for inviting me to the Melissa Nathan Awards. I had a wonderful time.