A ROMANCE author from Leamington is “thrilled” her debut novel is up for a prestigious award.
Karen Storey’s The Approval of Sheep has been listed as a contender for the Romantic Novelists Association’s prestigious Joan Hessayon Award. The award is for novelists who have come through the RNA’s new writer’s scheme and have had their debut published as a result.
The Approval of Sheep follows Gordon who must convince his employers they need his help in order to keep his job. When he hears of an old covenant allowing sheep to run through their top London hotel, he ponders whether he can use this to show his boss he’s the man to protect the hotel from disaster.
Inspired by a real covenant, The Approval of Sheep is an uplifting story about family, love and overcoming adversity.
Karen is originally from New York and has written articles for American in Britain magazine. Her short stories have been placed in several international competitions, and her memoir pieces published within The New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
The Approval of Sheep is her first novel.
Karen said: ‘I am thrilled to be a contender for this amazing award. I first joined the RNA in 2019. I remember attending my first event and spotting a group of authors lining up for a photograph. I was told they were up for the Joan Hessayon Award for their debut novels. I remember looking at them and thinking, ‘I’d love to be one of them some day but not truly believing it would happen for me.
“Yet, with the support of many wonderful writers within organisations like the RNA, I persevered. it’s a ‘pinch me’ moment that I will, in a few weeks time, be with fellow 2025 debut authors, celebrating and having our group photo taken for the Joan Hessayon Award.”
