Back in 2007, I was lucky enough to be shortlisted for the Impress Prize for Fiction, (http://www.impress-books.co.uk/prize.html)   with my second novel, ‘The Courtesan’s Choice’ , which will be out under the Sphere imprint next year.  All ten shortlistees met up in Exeter for the award ceremony that October, a lovely occasion which involved readings and discussions and refreshments with the shortlistees and the judges.  I found out that I was sharing a B&B with one of the other writers, Deborah Swift, who, I was pleased to discover, turned out to be a historical fiction writer too.  

Neither of us won.  That honour went to Carol Fenlon, with her novel ‘Consider the Lilies’ – a beautifully written – and at times harrowing  – story of a feral child, and her prize was publication with Impress.  But these competitions are about more than winning:  I made a new friend!  Deborah and I have kept in touch since then, and have kept pace with one another too!  We are both being published for the first time in 2010.  Her first novel, ‘The Lady’s Slipper’  (which had been shortlisted for the Impress Prize) was published by Macmillan New Writing this month.  It is a beautifully told story, set in Restoration Westmorland in 1660, and tells of the tragic consequences of the desire to possess a rare and delicate wild flower.  It’s a terrific read.  I know – because I finished it this morning, having been madly reading since I received it from Amazon  a few days ago.  To find out more, visit Deborah’s website – ( www.deborahswift.blogspot.com/)

Coming next time:  The production department at Little, Brown  have just told me that  I am going to be able to see my novel actually being put together.   I’ll try and explain what I discover about the process after I have seen it.