News!

Choc Lit is delighted to announce the winner of its 2016 Search for a Star competition.

Lisa Hill, a mother of three from Gloucestershire, and one of last year’s finalists, topped this year’s competition. Choc Lit will publish Lisa’s winning entry, Fall for Grace, as her debut novel, and has acquired world rights.

Fall for Grace is described by the author as ‘Jilly Cooper for the next generation.’ A heart warming contemporary story of a family trying to save their racing stable and livelihood from the greedy clutches of an adversary. Throw into that mix two budding romances, who face all sorts of very believable issues to overcome on the way to true happiness, a beloved and feisty family matriarch who is determined to engineer successful resolutions to all problems while facing her rapidly approaching demise due to cancer, and you have a very affecting story. It will likely appeal to readers of Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde.

Choc Lit’s Search for a Star competition was established to support new and unpublished authors. It recognises how difficult the road to publication can be and provides an opportunity to break through and to secure a traditional publishing contract.

Search for a Star is supported by LoveReading.co.uk. Past winners have included As Weekends Go by Jan Brigden, House of Secrets by Lynda Stacey and Who is Harry Dixon by Morton S Gray.

“The standard of entries was very high again this year,” said Lyn Vernham, Managing Director of Choc Lit. “Our reader panel thoroughly enjoyed Fall for Grace so we know it will prove popular. Lisa is a worthy winner and we are delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Lisa Hill said, “Having lost out to Lynda Stacey in the 2015 Search for a Star final, I am over the moon to have won with Fall for Grace this year. I joined creative writing classes eight years ago and have been a member of the incredibly supportive RNA NWS (Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme) since 2010. It’s been a long slog but Choc Lit were my ultimate goal and I am so delighted to finally be a part of the family.”

The 2016 shortlist:

Lisa Hill – Fall for Grace

Sue McDonagh – Ticket to Ride

Joan Davies – Money is Easy

Jackie Ladbury – Air Guitar and Caviar

Nichole Kyle – Heartbroken

Dawn Tamayo – Memories in the Dark

Fall for Grace will be published in early 2017.