An author’s 13th book was in the top three out of scores of books nominated for this year’s The People’s Book Prize.
Sue Hampton’s Traces narrowly lost the over-all victory to picture book The Fearsome Beastie by Giles Paley-Phillips.
Sue, 54, of Lincoln Court, Berkhamsted, said: “I wouldn’t have survived as an author without the support of my husband-to-be, the novelist and poet Leslie Tate.
“The originality of his writing inspires me to take risks. His advice made this a better book. His love keeps me strong.”
She was given the accolade by Frederick Forsyth, author of The Day of The Jackal, at Stationers Hall in London on Wednesday, May 30.