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Swansea author beats thousands to scoop book prize

A novelist from Swansea has won a coveted book award with her first work of fiction - seeing off thousands of others in the process.

Tracy's book won after beating thousands of entrants and seven others in a shortlist. Credit: Richard and Judy's Book Club

43 year-old Tracy Rees won the inaugural Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition with her debut novel Amy Snow.

"Although the competition was tough, we fell in love with the heroine Amy and Tracy's incredible story-telling. We are delighted to be supporting Tracy today and cannot recommend the book enough."

– Judy Finnigan
Judy Finnigan said she Credit: Richard and Judy's Book Club

The competition prize includes a publishing deal worth £50,000, which will give her the opportunity for the rights to sell her novel around the world.

The story centres around Amy, a young Victorian woman who follows a chain of coded letters to uncover a secret about a childhood companion.

"It really is a dream come true! The Search for a Bestseller competition has been an incredible journey, thank you to everyone who has made this possible. Now to start book number two...!"

– Tracy Rees
Judy was given a £50,000 publishing deal. Credit: Richard and Judy's Book Club

Previous to her literary career, Tracy had a full-time job with a cancer support charity working with people with cancer and their families.

She says her work as a therapist and the experiences she's had have influenced her writing.

"I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember and over the last year, focusing on writing the novel has been a joy - and proved to me that this is my true vocation."

– Tracy Rees