Press Release: Prizes and Awards
Shortlist Revealed For Melissa Nathan Awards For Comedy Romance 2008
Posted at 8:01AM Tuesday 08 Apr 2008
Authors short-listed for top prize are; Stephen Clarke, Victoria Clayton, Lisa Jewell, Christina Jones, Olivia Lichtenstein & Fiona Neill Monday 7th April 2008: The short-listed novels for the top prize of 'Best Comedy Romance' at the 2008 Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy Romance have today been revealed. The six contenders 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 winning author will be presented with a cheque for £5,000 at a fun-filled London ceremony on June 18th. The criteria for the 'Best Comedy Romance Award' were drawn up by best-selling author, the late Melissa Nathan. The Awards celebrate the very best, wittiest and funniest writing from the previous year, and are a fitting tribute to Melissa, who loved comedy, romance and top quality writing, and wanted the genre to get the critical recognition it deserves. The Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy Romance '08 (MNAs) is the UK's only literary awards ceremony dedicated to comedy romance, and will take place in Central London on June 18th. The MNAs are 100% committed to celebrating the genre it loves in a truly fitting manner, with an evening of feel-good fun, laughter and champagne. Guests will be treated to live comedy from the ceremony's host, Jo Brand, plus readings from the short-listed novels by celebrities. The judging panel - who have been tasked with the difficult job of appraising the short-listed novels and selecting worthy winners - features the writer and comedienne Jo Brand, mega-selling novelists Joanna Trollope OBE and Sophie Kinsella, comedy actors Jessica Hynes (née Stephenson, from TV's 'Spaced,' 'Dr Who' and the movie 'Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason') and Alan Davies ('Jonathan Creek', 'Hotel Babylon') and Tesco's Head Book Buyer, Gaynor Allen. Says Jo Brand: "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..." The inaugural MNA was held in June 2007, and the prize for Best Comedy Romance was awarded to Marian Keyes for her novel ANYONE OUT THERE. This year's event will feature expanded categories, i.e. Best Happy-Ever-After, Funniest scene, and Most Lovable Heroine. Watch out for more announcements coming soon.
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