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Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 20 September 2007

Anya Stern in the bookshop.

First-time novelist books her place in prize shortlist

A BOOKSELLER has been shortlisted for a national writing prize that could win her a publishing deal and thousands of pounds.
Anya Stern, 30, who has worked at West End Lane Books in West Hampstead for two years, is one of four authors nominated for the £2,000 prize and the chance to have her first novel, Come Monday, published by Faber.
Just under 200 authors – who are all also booksellers – entered the competition held by National Book Tokens to celebrate its 75th year.
The shortlisting left her pleased but a “bit freaked out,” admitted Ms Stern, who lives in West Hampstead. “The thing that would be the nicest is knowing that you finished something. Being published is when writing a book ends,” she said.
Working in a bookshop renews her faith in the reading population at large. “Being in a community that values books gives me hope that people don’t just read bestsellers,” she said.
Her book follows the journey of a middle-aged Jewish academic who discovers the meaning of politics after his Iranian wife leaves him. It was partly based on the experiences of her South African Marxist parents. “My interest came from having a sense of this South African background where things you don’t think of being a political act, all are – like who you marry and what bus you get on.”
The winner will be announced on November 14.

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