Minette Walters questions Dee about ‘The Road to Civitella 1944’ Not easy, in my case, finding a passage which stood alone, made sense and gave a flavour of the book but did not contain any graphic content connected to the massacre and other wartime tragedies. After our questions, we each read an extract from our shortlisted book. What followed were the big leather armchairs and handmics: the Q&A. She had read all four books and told us we were all winners to have got this far. She was genuinely interested in us, asking us how/why we had chosen our subjects. Minette Walters, who was guest host, talked informally to each of us before chairing the event. (left to right) Emma Timpany (winner ‘ Travelling in the Dark‘), Susmita Bhattacharya, Dee La Vardera, Maria Donovan (runner-up ‘The Chicken Soup Murder’), with Minette Walters, guest host, Janet Gleeson & Paul Atterbury (DLF) and sponsor Anthony Woodhouse They can wait ten minutes or so, can’t they, to hear Minette and I talk about The Road to Civitella 1944. That’ll stop people from coming up and asking me who I am and why I have come to this event. Keep calm and carry your book, cover facing outwards. Whatever I did now, would make no difference as the judges’ choice of first place was already in a sealed envelope. I’m used to public speaking and not usually shy talking about my writing but I’ve never been to an event where I am being/have already been judged on my performance. It was a strange feeling, being the centre of attention.

The beautiful light and airy function room on the first floor of the Duchess of Cornwall Inn in Poundbury was full of supporters, judges and guests, eager to hear more about the writers and their books, and find out who had won the prize.Ī glass of fizz, meeting new people, lively chatter – not all book-related, filled the room and kept my mind off the next part of the evening.

Even though I did not win the Hall & Woodhouse DLF (DorchesterLitFest) Writing Award, it was still worth the effort of travelling down to Dorset for the ceremony.

Travelling in the Dark by Emma Timpany