Kathy Jay: Joan Hessayon award contender 2015

Welcome to Kathy Jay, another of our fifteen contenders for this year’s Joan Hessayon Award.

Congratulations on graduating the RNA New Writers’ Scheme. Can you tell us when

you first decided that you wished to become a romantic novelist?

Thank you! When I was a teenager I read a magazine article about a romantic novelist and decided that I’d like to write romance too. I sent for guidelines, and still have them. They’re a reminder that I held on to the dream. Success in a short story competition got me writing again.

How many years were you a member of the NWS scheme and did you submit a different book each year? Which year’s book did you graduate with?

I was a member of the New Writers’ Scheme for two years. I submitted two different manuscripts. I graduated with the first book.  

How did you find your publisher?

A few months after HarperCollins launched HarperImpulse, they announced a competition. That gave me the push I needed to submit.  I was one of the winners. They offered me a three-book contract and invited me for afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason.

Promotion is a big part of an author’s working life. How did you promote your novel?

HarperImpulse are fabulous with all things promotion. But I have some catching up to do. I didn’t have a social media presence as a pre-published author. I now have a website, a Facebook page, and twitter.  

What has happened to you as an author since that first sale?

I had a revision letter to work through for What If He’s The One, followed by edits, and a cover brief. Then there was a proof-read for the epub, and another for the paperback. I’ve submitted the second book in my contract, and I’m writing the third.

How did you celebrate your first book sale?

I opened a bottle of Prosecco. Nothing beats a glass of fizz when there’s something to celebrate.

About Kathy:

I live in Cheshire with my family which includes a large dog and a cat. I love the changing seasons. I like pyjama days and cosy log fires in winter. In summer, my top things are strawberries and walking on the beautiful beaches in North Wales. I started writing my first romance on a vintage typewriter – way back when. Writing got put on hold while I studied for a degree in Drama and French. I’ve been an au pair, a teaching assistant, an office temp and a bilingual PA. I write fun, flirty romance for HarperImpulse.

Links:

Amazon

Website

Thank you, Kathy and good luck with your writing career.