Author Francesca Segal, who is from Golders Green, penned and published her first book at the age of 32 and was recently rewarded for her work with the award for best first novel in the Costa Book Awards.
The book is called ‘The Innocents’ and follows the story of a young man growing up in the Hampstead area of London, not far from Potters Bar.
The book prize shows that there is still real faith in printed Books as well as electronic alternatives, as Francesca’s book was released both digitally and physically using traditional publishing and printing companies.
Potters Bar and Hampstead residents may be familiar with some of the locations in the book, making the story all the more real for local readers. Francesca commented on the book and winning the award, saying:
“The award is everything I have ever dreamed of and more. Writing a first novel is a terrifying thing to do – you write the whole thing alone in a room without anyone giving you feedback, and you have no guarantee it will actually be published.”
Francesca’s win in the Costa Book Awards puts her in with a chance of winning the overall award for best book, alongside Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel. The winner of this accolade will be announced by organisers at the end of January 2013.
Francesca’s book is now available from all good bookshops.
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