Claire McCauley wins the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers

Claire McCauley has won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers with her novel The Wedding Hitch (Joffe Books).

The award is for authors whose novels have gone through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) and are then accepted for publication. Sponsored by Dr David Hessayon OBE in honour of his late wife, Joan, who was an RNA member and NWS supporter, the award showcases the variety of debut novels within the romantic fiction genre.

Jean Fullerton, the outgoing RNA chair, was on this year’s judging panel alongside Sue Moorcroft, the current RNA president, and Megan Haslam, editorial director at Boldwood Books. They were unanimous in their decision to choose The Wedding Hitch as this year’s winner, which was announced at a ceremony on 10th August held at Royal Holloway, University of London, as part of the RNA’s annual conference.

"Claire McCauley’s book is a romantic tale, skilfully told, with a clever twist at the end I certainly didn’t see coming," Fullerton said. "The Wedding Hitch is a worthy winner of this year’s Joan Hessayon prize."

Moorcroft added: "The plot keeps moving, the characterisation is spot on and I love the grand-house setting that contrasts with the staff accommodation in the woods. And I absolutely did not see the twist coming."

Haslam also praised the winning novel: "Claire has added her own unique twist to the jilted bride trope and writes with such warmth and wit that she keeps you turning the page, rooting for her heroine until the very end."

Previous graduates of the NWS include Sue Moorcroft, Jessica Redland and Heidi Swain, while Katy Turner was the winner of last year’s award.