The Bookseller.com

25th July 2008

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Authors compete for Melissa Nathan prize

07.04.08 Jenna Harris

The shortlist for the Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy Romance has been announced. In contention to win the £5,000 prize are: Merde Happens by Stephen Clarke (Transworld); A Girls Guide To Kissing Frogs by Victoria Clayton (HarperCollins); 31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell (Penguin); Heaven Sent by Christina Jones (Little, Brown); Mrs Zhivago Of Queen's Park by Olivia Lichtenstein (Orion); and The Secret Life Of A Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill (Arrow).

The inaugural Melissa Nathan Awards were held in June 2007, and the prize for Best Comedy Romance was awarded to Marian Keyes for Anyone Out There. This year's event will feature expanded categories including Happy-Ever-After, Funniest scene, and Most Lovable Heroine. Judges include Joanna Trollope and Gaynor Allen, Tesco's head book buyer.

The winner will be announced on 18th June at an event hosted by Jo Brand. She said: "I'm very pleased I will soon be getting my grubby little hands on the MNA shortlist books to read. I am always so busy- time allowed for reading in my life is about number 400 on my wish list. So, actually having to read these books is a joy beyond comprehension. Just need to order the chocolates and champagne to go with them now..."

Authors Prize Melissa Nathan prize Jenna Harris