Meet the Judges of the 2020 Joan Hessayon Award

The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) has announced the 2020 line-up for its prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for graduates of the New Writers’ Scheme. I am delighted to celebrate the wonderful contenders for the award and introduce the judges. Rhoda Baxter is an author of contemporary romance and Thorne Ryan is Commissioning Editor for Hodder and Stoughton. I am honoured the judges chatted with me about what they will be looking for in a winner.

Jessie: Rhoda, it is lovely to welcome you to my blog again. Please introduce yourself to the readers.

Rhoda: I write romantic comedies about people who make me laugh. I also write multicultural women’s fiction under the name Jeevani Charika. My books have been shortlisted for various awards.  I am currently the chair of the Authors North events committee of the Society of Authors.

Jessie: How has the RNA supported your writing career?

Rhoda: I joined the RNA back in the day when you still had to send submissions out in the post. When I first joined, I was completely star struck and intimidated. Everyone was so helpful and kind I soon relaxed. I went through the NWS scheme and was a Joan Hessayon contender myself, many years ago. With the first contract, I became a member of the Society of Authors and went on take a voluntary role there. When I was offered the chance to be a judge and help strengthen the ties between the RNA and the Society of Authors (where I’m the chair of Authors North committee), I couldn’t say no.

Jessie: What is the Joan Hessayon Award? 

Rhoda: The Joan Hessayon Award recognises those authors whose debut novels have been accepted for publication after passing through the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. Each year 300 places are offered to unpublished writers in the romantic fiction genre. As part of the scheme, they can submit a complete manuscript for critique by one of the Association’s published authors as well as attend RNA events which offer opportunities to meet and network with publishers, agents and other published authors. 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.

Jessie: What do you like best about the RNA?

Rhoda: I should say something erudite here, but all I can think of is that I love the social aspect of it. I found my tribe in the RNA. The parties are invariably great fun. It’s such a relief to talk to people who don’t think it’s weird to have imaginary people running around in your head. It’s also nice to be among people who give the romance genre the respect it deserves.

Jessie: What will you be looking for in a winner?

Rhoda: I’m looking for a book that’s a satisfying and uplifting read. I love to see great dialogue and characters that feel so real that I think about them long after I’ve closed the bool. I have to say, the standard of entries is very high and the books I’ve read so far have all been really good. It’s going to be hard to choose the winner.

Jessie: Thorne, welcome to Books in Handbag Blog. Can you tell me something about yourself.
Thorne: I started my career in the Contracts department at Hachette UK in 2015 before moving over to Editorial, which I immediately knew was where I was meant to be. I am now Commissioning Editor, Women’s Fiction at Hodder & Stoughton. I like books that give me ‘all the feels’, and have a particular fondness for ones that make me cry.

Jessie: Why do publishers value the RNA and the Joan Hessayon Award?

Thorne: Organisations like the RNA and prizes like the Joan Hessayon Award are vital to publishers and authors alike. As Milly Johnson said in her wonderful speech at the RNA awards evening earlier this year, romantic novels are often viewed in general society as somehow less important or less worthy than other types of fiction, which is so frustrating for those who love it and see it for what it really is: great stories told really well by very talented people. The RNA is a haven from that narrow-mindedness, providing authors and readers of romantic fiction with a place where the thing they love is truly celebrated. It also provides invaluable practical support to its members. With regards to prizes such as the Joan Hessayon Award, they give authors the recognition they so thoroughly deserve – and of course that’s great for both authors and publishers alike, because if a book wins a prize then we can shout about it from the rooftops and hopefully bring more readers to that book and the genre in general. Overall, the RNA provides authors and publishers with an invaluable community, and prizes such as the Joan Hessayon award provide moments to celebrate what is bringing everyone in that community together.

Jessie: What will you be looking for in a winner?

Well, I was going to say, ‘Just a really good book!’ but all of them will of course be brilliant if they’ve made it to the shortlist! I tend to look at various components individually (plot, characters, writing etc.) and give them a mark out of ten, then add them up for an overall score. Even if you feel like you loved all the entries and couldn’t choose between them, it’s surprising how quickly this method can break through that and show you your true favourite. But in general, I’ll be looking to be swept away by gorgeous writing and a plot that pulls me back to the book whenever I have to put it down. Basically, anything that’s going to make me go all tingly!

This year’s debuts show the wide range of stories encompassed by the romance genre.

The full list of contenders for 2020 is:
Zoe Allison, Impervious, Totally Bound
Jan Baynham, Her Mother’s Secret, Ruby Fiction
Laura Bambrey, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, Simon & Schuster
Victoria Garland, Finding Prince Charming, DC Thompson
Rosemary Goodacre, Until We Meet Again, Hera
Annette Hannah, Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe, Orion Dash
Stephanie Harte, Risking It All, Aria
Stefania Hartley, Sun, Stars and Limoncello, Totally Bound
Kirsten Hesketh, Another Us, Canelo
Sharon Ibbotson, The Marked Lord, Choc Lit
Emma Jackson, A Mistletoe Miracle, Orion Dash
Lynn Johnson, The Girl from the Workhouse, Hera
Nina Kaye, The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating, Orion Dash
Lucy Keeling, Make it up to you, Choc Lit
Ruth Kvarnström-Jones, Halleholm – Lovisas Choice, Printz Publishing
Mairibeth MacMillan, The Viking’s Cursed Bride, Tirgearr
Melissa Oliver, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight, Mills and Boon Historical
Maggie Richell-Davies, The Servant, Sharpe Books
Jacqueline Rohen, How to Marry Your Husband, Arrow
Kathleen Whyman, Wife Support System, Hera
Fiona Woodifield, The Jane Austen Dating Agency, Bloodhound Books

If you click on the contenders, you will discover more about the books and the authors. All of the contenders have placed their books in the Handbag Gallery. The Award will be announced on 5^th September 2020 in an online presentation.

Please see all my author interviews at My Guests and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

A copy of my novel is available here.