Fledgling author clinches memorial publishing deal (From Haringey Independent)

Fledgling author clinches memorial publishing deal

8:56am Tuesday 12th August 2008 in Advanced search By Elizabeth Pears

An unknown author from Crouch End who gave up a successful career in banking to pen his first novel will finally have his work recognised after winning a publishing contract last week.

Former banker Andrew Blackman was announced the winner of the 2008 Luke Bitmead Writer’s Bursary — a fund that helps struggling authors achieve their potential. It was set up by Mr Bitmead’s family using the proceeds of his books to help his name live on after the author took his own life at the age of 34.

Mr Blackman, of Crescent Road, was awarded £2,500 and handed a publishing deal with Legend Press for his novel On the Holloway Road.

He had previously spent six years working in New York’s financial district and as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and was in Manhattan on September 11.

He said: “There was an overwhelming feeling of comraderie in the face of adversity that day which I’ll never forget. But it got harder to walk past the site where the towers had stood and soon afterwards I decided to return home and soon started writing.

“I am passionate about writing to the extent that I gave up a lucrative career to concentrate on it. It is hard to cope financially which is why this award means so much.”

Inspired by Jack Kerouac’s famous road novel, the book tells the story of two friends who are on a search for freedom and meaning in modern-day Britain.

Their journey takes them from the bustling pubs of North London’s Holloway Road to the fringes of the Outer Hebrides, in Scotland, as they discover that Britain’s horizons are much smaller than those of 1950s America.

Mr Blackman explained how his experiences living on both sides of the Atlantic played a role in shaping the novel.

The 31-year-old said: “America has so many laws to protect freedom despite its culture being very restricted in parts. In Britain we are open-minded but, in fact, enjoy much less personal freedom. This book explores that.”

Novelist Sam Mills, one of the bursary judges, said: “Andrew has a mature prose style with a lovely turn of phrase. His writing showed great flashes of wit and insight.

“I am proud to have been involved in selecting such a worthy winner and feel he has the potential to go onto great things.”