Natalie Meg Evans

Natalie Meg Evans is the writer of three published novels, The Dress Thief, The Milliner's Secret and A Gown of Thorns. She is published by Quercus in the UK, Europe and Commonwealth, and by Bookouture in America. Her novels are translated into six languages and are also available as spoken word. Though each are stand-alone works, all have interrelated characters and draw from one of Natalie's keenest interests, which is 20th century fashion. Drawn to history from earliest childhood, 'other eras' have always held a fascination for Natalie. Setting novels in an historical context simply felt natural, though her latest, A Gown of Thorns, is a time-slip with a near-contemporary timeline of 2003, which slips back to wartime France in 1943.

Her debut novel, The Dress Thief, is set in Paris in the late 1930s and its background is the world of haute-couture which is riddled with design-piracy and professional jealousies. Described as ‘A fascinating evocation of a great fashion house’ this novel also tackles darker themes of impending war and anti-Semitism. The Milliner's Secret takes place in occupied Paris in the 1940s and alongside its love story, describes the human realities of occupation. This reflects Natalie's philosophy that history is not escapism or froth, but a distant reflection of ourselves. Through history, we can view our own social crises from a clearer perspective.

For all that, her writing occupies the centre ground of the romance arena. The Dress Thief was shortlisted for a Romance Writers of America Rita in 2015. The Milliner's Secret was shortlisted for 'Best Historical novel' in the Love Stories awards. Natalie has been awarded numerous other awards for her writing including The Harry Bowling Prize (2012), 1st place in the USA's Houston Emily awards for historical fiction, Finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award, Romance Writers of America Golden Pen award (3rd place). She also picked up a nomination for the coveted Daphne du Maurier award. Natalie was recently long-listed for BBC Radio's 'Opening Lines' short story call. The Dress Thief was voted 'Best Foreign Novel' in the Greek Public Book awards.

'The Dress Thief' is a finalist in the LA Book Pipeline contest, which puts novels out to production companies for potential screenplay treatment.

www.nataliemegevans.com