Helga Jensen
News
MA Creative Writing student secures two-book publishing contract in her first term on the course
Thursday, 4 March, 2021Female-led, independent digital first publisher Hera Books has acquired two romantic comedies from debut novelist and MA Creative Writing student Helga Jensen.
Helga secured the publishing contract in her first term on the course. Her first book will be published in summer 2021 with the second book following in spring 2022.
Her debut novel, Temptation at Tiffany’s, was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Helga is working on her second book whilst studying for her Master’s and working as a freelance journalist.
Telling us about her journey to where she is now, Helga said: “I knew that I wanted a career as a novelist, and I remember a very long time ago reading a book by an author who said they had an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa. This was something that stayed with me for years. After a few rejections for my debut novel, I felt I must push myself further and consider an MA. It felt like the only thing that could help me achieve my dream. I applied for the course the day the admissions opened for 2020/21.
"I was delighted to be accepted for such a prestigious course, which felt like an achievement in itself. Just before I started the MA, I had edited my debut novel further and decided it was time to submit it fully to agents and publishers before working on my second novel for the course. In the first semester of the MA, I received two offers of publishing contracts, which was fantastic as it motivated me further. My debut novel will be out in June, and the book I am working on for my MA is planned for spring 2022.”
Talking about her time at Bath Spa University so far, Helga said: “Even though I was lucky enough to get a two-book publishing contract, I still wanted to learn more and further my skills through the MA. As I mostly write romantic comedy, I have found the MA’s love story module particularly fascinating. My tutor is terrific, which makes it even more enjoyable.”