Charlotte Betts wins RNA Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers

Posted by Lucy Icke in Award News, Fiction

We're absolutely delighted to announce that last night at the RNA Summer Party it was announced that Charlotte Betts had won the Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers for her debut novel The Apothecary's Daughter.

The New Writers’ Scheme, which has been run by the RNA since 1962, is unique among professional writing associations. It aims to encourage fresh talent in the writing of romantic novels that reflect all aspects of love and life, contemporary or historical. Manuscripts submitted by unpublished writers are read by an experienced writer or editor who provides valuable feedback. Any manuscript that is subsequently published as a debut novel is eligible for the award. The eligible books are judged by a panel of experienced RNA members.

Katie Fforde, chair of the RNA, made a speech including some comments from the judging panel who said that The Apothecary’s Daughter is ‘a terrific, involving historical novel set against the very real drama of the Plague Year and the Great Fire. Well-researched and beautifully written, it tells of one young woman's struggle against the constraints of her time and gender, interwoven with betrayal, tragedy and loss, to find a measure of personal and professional identity and ultimate happiness’

Huge congratulations Charlotte!

We publish The Apothecary's Daughter in hardback in August 2011 and in paperback in February 2012.

Be Sociable, Share!

Here's a selection of keyword-matched articles that you might also find interesting:

Tags for this Article:

Charlotte Betts, featured, Historical Fiction, historical romance, Joan Hessayon Award, New Writer's Scheme, Piatkus Fiction, RNA, romance

Shirley Glover says:

December 5, 2011 at 07:05

I have just finished reading the Apothecary`s Daughter, I could not put it down I can`t waIt for her new novel a preview of which was in Apothecary`s Daughter. It did not publish the name of the new book, I hope that it will be released before Christmas 2011
Sincerely Shirley Glover

Lucy Icke says:

December 5, 2011 at 09:36

Hi Shirley, so pleased you enjoyed THE APOTHECARY'S DAUGHTER. Charlotte's next novel, THE PAINTER'S APPRENTICE will be out next August but we promise it'll be worth the wait!