The New Writers’ Scheme aims to encourage fresh talent in the writing of romances and novels with romantic elements, in every genre from historical to futuristic, with characters and love stories that reflect the diversity of readers everywhere.

Any NWS manuscript that is subsequently published as a debut novel is eligible for the Joan Hessayon Award, provided that the author has remained in membership of the RNA.

An author can only enter the award once (even though they may have been in the scheme for several years).

Members can request their manuscript to be included in this years awards by logging in to the members’ area of the website.