Joan
Hessayon Award winner Kate Field triumphs
with
debut novel The Magic of Ramblings
LONDON 18th May 2017: Lancashire-based author Kate
Field has triumphed with her contemporary novel The Magic of Ramblings published by Accent Press, for which she has
been awarded The Romantic Novelists'
Association’s (RNA) prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Kate was presented
with her award and a cheque for £1,000 at the RNA’s Summer Party, held today at
the Royal Overseas League in London.
The
Joan Hessayon Award is generously sponsored by gardening expert Dr David
Hessayon OBE, in honour of his late wife Joan, who was a longstanding member of
the RNA and a great supporter of its New Writers' Scheme.
The judges for the
award, which included new RNA Chair Nicola Cornick and outgoing Chair, Eileen
Ramsay, were unanimous in their decision
to crown The Magic of Ramblings the winner. The book was selected from a
list of eleven contenders, all authors whose debut novels have been accepted
for publication after passing through the Romantic Novelists' Association New
Writers Scheme. Each year 250 places are offered to unpublished writers writing
in the romance genre.
"The judges agreed that the winning novel was
outstanding, and selected it for its warmth and insight. The
Magic of Ramblings is a very appropriate title for this book,” said new RNA
Chair Nicola Cornick. “It has a beautiful quality of being both poignant and
uplifting at the same time. It is totally charming and we loved it.”
Author Kate Field's
decision for her heroine, Cassie, to start a community library in the remote
Lancashire village of Ramblings was inspired by her own
volunteer work with the community library held in her local village hall. She enjoys writing contemporary romance with "a touch of Northern
grit", and said, “I’m thrilled to be included on a
shortlist that features such talented writers, many of them good friends I have
made through the RNA.”
Outgoing RNA Chair
Eileen Ramsay said of the shortlist,
"This year's list of contenders delighted and engaged us with their
writing, and are all to be congratulated.”
She continued, “We
offer our special congratulations to Kate Field for her winning novel, a
heart-warming story, and worthy winner. "
The full shortlist for 2017 is:
Victoria Cornwall The
Thief’s Daughter Choc
Lit
Kate Field The
Magic of Ramblings Accent
Press
Terri Fleming Perception
Orion
Jen Gilroy The
Cottage at Firefly Lake Forever,
Grand Central, Hachette
Morton Gray The Girl
on the Beach Choc
Lit
Vivien Hampshire How to Win Back
Your Husband HQ Digital
April Hardy Sitting
Pretty Accent
Press
Emily Kerr Who
Does He Think He Is? Crooked
Cat
Abbey MacMunn Touched Tirgearr
Publishing
Arabella Sheen Castell’s
Passion Beachwalk
Press Inc
Lynda Stacey House of
Secrets Choc
Lit
About the Romantic
Novelists’ Association (RNA) and the New Writers’ Scheme
The RNA was formed in 1960 to promote romantic
fiction and encourage good writing and now represents more than 700 writers,
agents, editors and other publishing professionals.
