A FLINTSHIRE author's new book has won a fiction award and is being made into an audio drama.

One of the winners of Speak Up Talk Radio's Firebird Book Awards was author PJ Roscoe. Her book Diary of Margery Blake won in the Women’s Fiction Category.

Paula, who lives in Gwernaffield, is thrilled to have this particular book recognised as it is currently being made into an audio drama through MyStorymore.com in America and is due for release in the spring.

The BBC have shown interest in this project and we are waiting to see where this adventure leads.

Diary of Margery Blake is a fictional secret diary of a Victorian lady, based on facts Paula found while writing it four years ago. Since it's release in 2016, it has won the Marie M Irvine Literary Excellence Award and gained five stars from Reader's Favourite.

Before lockdown, Paula visited many women's groups to discuss and debate the book and compare women's lives to the 19th century and discuss whether things have changed for women.

Paula said: "I don't believe that much has changed. I think women are still 'controlled' by society and the media, who still portray women as inferior beings, who have to wear short skirts to fight baddies, like Wonder Woman, use their breasts to get things done and need a male hero to rescue them! "Women are still paid less than men in many jobs. Women are still discriminated against for having periods and babies. If men had periods, we know damn well, products would have been free years ago. Menstruation products are essential, not a monthly 'treat'.

"If a woman shows any emotion that is deemed, 'unladylike' it is frowned upon, but it's okay for men to be forthright, abrupt and opinionated. That is manly, powerful, proper."

Talking about the novel, Paula added: "Diary of Margery Blake follows the life of a young bride, married to a man almost twice her age as it is deemed a 'good match'. Margery has no power, no rights, no voice, so she writes down her secret thoughts in a diary. Sadly, life was bleak for young women like Margery, who were merely heir carriers.

"The book is not all doom and gloom! Margery does find love and friendship in the most unlikeliest of places, but the reality is, that life was never easy for women."

Diary of Margery Blake is available in paperback, e-book, hardback and audiobook and is stocked by Mold Bookshop. Signed copies are available from https://linktr.ee/PJRoscoe

Authors and publishers from around the globe submitted works to the awards. The books are read and individually scored by a panel of 12 judges.

Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, said: “The quality of the entries were stunning and speak to the talent out there that needs a marketing voice. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach."