LambethNews

Brixton writer Amanda captures the romance of book writing

Brixton-based author Amanda Smith has been announced as the romance category winner of The People’s Friend New Writers Prize. 

The People’s Friend has been providing readers with feel-good short stories since 1869 and to celebrate its 155th anniversary, the magazine has launched a £10,000 writing bursary – the UK’s biggest prize for unpublished authors. 

Amanda, 35, lives in Brixton with her husband and eight-month-old daughter, Ashleigh. She has worked as a project manager in the charity sector for nearly 15 years but has always had stories and characters buzzing around in the back of her head.
Since being on maternity leave, she has used the time to write.

Writer and actress Sally Lindsay was celebrity head judge for the competition and said: “The People’s Friend is something every writer knows, and as a writer myself, I love how it champions stories and creativity.  

“The award for new writers is a wonderful idea and I’m so pleased to be leading the judging panel and helping find a brand new author and help them with their career.” 

To celebrate the 155 years, The People’s Friend recently launched a new initiative with Sally Lindsay to encourage the nation to pick up a short story and read for just six minutes a day. 

Amanda’s story is about fashion-mad Paige who is on her way to a friend’s wedding, daydreaming about the day when it might be her turn.  

When she finds herself in a sartorial mess on the way to the ceremony, could a series of fateful twists, coincidences and a new handbag finally bring her face to face with Mr Right? 

Pictured top: Amanda Smith (Picture: The People’s Friend) 

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