We’re thrilled to announce that Helen Yendall is a contender for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Joan Hessayon Award for 2022 with her novel, A Wartime Secret! The award is for authors whose debut novels have gone through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and are subsequently accepted for publication.

Helen lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and Bonnie the dog. She's been writing for a long time and her small claim to fame is that she was once the Poet Laureate for Warwick. She has worked in a variety of jobs, all of which have provided inspiration for her fiction, but her favourite occupation (apart from writing, of course), is teaching creative writing to adults. She likes the way fiction can help make sense of the world and that, as a writer, she can give good people the happy ending they deserve.

She commented, ‘I’m delighted to be a contender for this year’s Joan Hessayon Award for my debut novel and to be in such prestigious company. Having my first book published this year has been such an exciting time - a real dream come true - and to be a contender for an award is the absolute icing on the cake. Without the RNA and their fabulous New Writers' Scheme, I would never have got this far. The encouragement, advice and (much-needed) deadline for submitting a manuscript was the incentive I needed to finally complete the first draft of a novel. It's also lovely to be able to celebrate the publication of the novel and being an award contender with my agent, Robbie Guillory at Underline, and my publisher, HQ (HarperCollins), all of whom worked tirelessly to make the book the best it could be.’

Melissa Oliver, the organiser of the Joan Hessayon Award (and winner of the award in 2020), commented, 'As a previous winner, I know first-hand that this prestigious award champions and recognises newly published authors who have graduated from the RNA’s fabulous New Writers’ Scheme. It’s a fantastic achievement and this year the depth and variety of the books up for the award are a testament to the continuing appeal and popularity of romantic fiction and all its subgenres.’

Sponsored by Dr. David Hessayon OBE in honour of his late wife, Joan, who was a novelist, RNA member and supporter of its New Writers’ Scheme, the award showcases a variety of debut novels within the romantic fiction genre. The novels are judged by a panel of published authors from the RNA and publishing industry professionals. Previous winners include Jo Thomas, Charlotte Betts, Lorna Cook and Caroline Day.

The New Writers’ Scheme provides support to unpublished writers of romantic fiction. Manuscripts can be submitted for assessment and are critiqued by published authors. In addition, the members of the scheme can attend RNA events and participate in members-only activities and networking opportunities.

The ceremony to announce the winner will be held at 6.30pm on Saturday 16th July 2022 at Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, as part of the RNA’s annual conference.