Melissa Nathan Award

I always despise the return from a sunny holiday; my post-holiday blues tend to be virtually purple. And this time was worse than most. After a spectacular Easter break in Florida, I stepped off the plane in my flip-flops only to be battered in the face by rain and experience a rapid loss of feeling in all digits due to the cold.
The situation could’ve been catastrophic for my generally sturdy levels of good-humour … until I received some news from my fairy godmother (aka publicist) Emma Harrow that bowled me over. She emailed to say: ‘I take it you’ve heard you’re nominated for the Melissa Nathan Award?
Melissa Nathan was a hugely talented and brilliantly funny writer of romantic comedies. She died aged just 37 in 2006 and, in her honour, this literary award was established – to recognise novels that ‘combine the magical, life-enhancing elements of humour and love.’
Judges include Jo Brand, Joanna Trollope, Jessica Hynes, Sophie Kinsella, Morwenna Banks, Liza Tarbuck, Gaynor Allen (Head Book Buyer for Tesco), Andrew Cleaves, Managing Director National Express Coaches (the sponsors of the award) and Freya Wright (Book Buyer for Waitrose). So – quite a committee.
I’m up against some fantastic authors, some of whom I count as friends, including the irrepressible Milly Johnson, Jenny Colgan, Allie Spencer, Sarrah Manning and Jane Lovering.
We all find out the result at a glittering awards ceremony (they always glitter, don’t they?) on 12th June . . . so watch this space!