At the beginning of 2003, Wendy J. Dunn, Australian author and mother of four, heard news her publisher, Metropolis Ink, had nominated her ‘Tudor’ historical novel, “Dear Heart, How Like You This?” for the coveted Arizona Book Publishing Association Glyph award – given to its members for publishing excellence and to promote books in Arizona.

Knowing her novel would go through rigorous screening, judged by a panel of booksellers and editors looking for quality in several areas - Mrs. Dunn took great pride in the fact her publisher considered her novel worthy of the nomination; she never allowed herself to think for a moment it could win.

“The success of my writing life has been rather like barracking for my favourite team, Geelong. Whenever I think they have a chance in winning, and I begin to really watch, they fumble and lose sight of the football.

This tended to go for my writing life too. Whenever something exhilarating looked ready to happen, I’d become all excited, and then find the moment going to another writer. Now I just keep my head down and keep writing.

I love to write. I’m old enough now to know the career fumbles are just part of being a writer. Plus, it is not like it used to be, when I hardly possessed an audience for my writing. Not only have I seen my first novel released, I have a respected Tudor history column I write every month for www.suite101.com, an online site based in Canada. I am also part of their online community education program, taking care of their Religion and Spirituality Campus, as well as teaching my own online course on Henry VIII and his Wives. I’ve started work on my second novel, and am busy promoting “Dear Heart, How like You This?”, so I had a lot to keep focusing on without worrying about winning or not winning the award. ”

But May 10, 2003, in Arizona, America, at a gala celebratory banquet, the Arizona Book Publishing Association announced “Dear Heart, How like You This?” its 2003 winner of Best Adult Fiction.

“I came home from a mother’s day lunch to the best possible news a writer can get. To know my first historical novel was judged with mainstream fiction, not even in a first novel category, coming against experienced and talented American writers, well – really, for a writer I’m wordless!”

Wendy's publisher now possesses a beautiful trophy, awarded to her award winning novel: “Dear Heart, How like You This?” But Wendy J. Dunn has the kudos knowing her writing has been judged as worthy of this prestigious American award. “Dear Heart, How like You This?” can be ordered by all local bookshops in England and USA.