Edinburgh first book prize snared by Angela Jackson

From the BBC

An Edinburgh author has been named the winner of the Edinburgh International Book Festival's 2013 First Book Award.

Angela Jackson, one of 42 writers in contention, said it felt "particularly special" to win the prize for her debut novel, The Emergence of Judy Taylor.

Visitors to this year's festival voted her book ahead of other first works by such authors as Gill Hornby, sister of Nick, and broadcaster Dawn O'Porter.

Jackson's novel tells of a dissatisfied wife who embarks on a new life.

"It's great to know I'm on the right track [and] that my work is connecting with readers," the author continued.

The former musician and psychology lecturer said the prize would "spur [her] on to complete my second novel".

Nick Barley, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said Jackson's triumph was "a wonderful, home-grown success story".