We are delighted that Joanna Miller’s debut novel The Eights has been shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize for debut writers over 50.

Joanna Miller said: ‘I love that the Christopher Bland Prize celebrates taking a new creative direction later in life. I’ve been a teacher, adviser, business owner and bespoke poet but never had the confidence to attempt a novel until menopause, lockdown, encouragement, and a raw desire to write won over! The Eights has been a joy and a revelation, a source of huge satisfaction and accomplishment like nothing I’ve ever felt before.’

Congratulations, Joanna.