Helen Comerford, a graduate of DHA’s Open Day initiative for writers from under-represented backgrounds, is in the running for two major children’s book awards for her debut YA novel, The Love Interest.

Published last July by Bloomsbury, The Love Interest is a witty take on the superhero trope that immediately casts female characters as a mere supporting role. When danger comes to Nine Trees, Jenna doesn’t want to wait for the new superhero, Blaze, to save everyone – it’s her hometown, and she’s going to do it herself. She’s not going to listen to the male, stale and pale Heroics Power Authority, or the carnivorous media zealots, OR her disapproving family – and she’s not going to get distracted by Blaze. Even with those dimples…

We are incredibly proud to see The Love Interest recently nominated for the Carnegie Medal and longlisted for the Branford Boase Award. We look forward to what comes next, including the release of the sequel The Hero Complex this coming July.