Debut author Liz Fenwick's THE CORNISH HOUSE has been shortlisted for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award 2012. The nominees are chosen from members of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme who have had their novels published in the last year. The New Writer's Scheme, run by the Romantic Novelist Association (RNA) since 1962, encourages first time writers in the genre of romantic novels by providing feedback and support from experienced writers and editors. Manuscripts that have then been published are then put forward for the award. The winner of last year's award was Charlotte Betts for THE APOTHECARY'S DAUGHTER.

The winner will be announced at The Royal Overseas League in London on Thursday 17 May.

THE CORNISH HOUSE will be published by Orion in May, as part of a two-book deal, and later by Goldmann in German, de Boekerij in Dutch and Quinta Essencia in Portuguese.