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It’s no surprise that here at magazine.co.uk we love reading – and for good reason! Reading has been scientifically proven to boost intelligence, make you more empathetic, and even slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

To share our love for the written word, we’ve chosen five new authors who are publishing their debut books this year. This is an incredible achievement, and each of these writers deserves our full support for their excellent work.

Here are our top five new authors of 2016

Crime and Thriller

Michael Grothaus

Epiphany Jones

Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Michael has a degree in filmmaking and spent the early part of his career working in the industry with huge companies like Twentieth Century Fox and Apple. Now living in the UK, Michael writes online for the likes of VICE and The Guardian.

He’s now moving into the world of fiction with his debut novel Epiphany Jones which will be published by Orenda in May 2016.

Based on Michael’s experiences at the Cannes Film Festival, the book follows Jerry – a man left mentally scarred by a traumatic past – as he becomes involuntarily entangled in the illicit Hollywood sex-trafficking scene.

With a sickeningly dark and complex plot, Grothaus has created a real page turning psychological thriller, that will have you laughing out loud at things you really probably shouldn’t.

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Fantasy

Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands

Alywn Hamilton is a Toronto born writer who spent her youth hopping back and forth between Canada and Europe, until her parents eventually settled in a pretty little town in France. After gaining a degree in the History of Art from Cambridge, she moved to London, where she now lives.

Her debut novel, Rebel of the Sands, is the first of a fantasy trilogy aimed at young adults, set in a mythical wild west – the sweeping, romantic desert land of Dustwalk.

Amani is a plucky 16 year old girl from the downtrodden down of Deadshot, where the only work is at a perilous and exploitative explosives factory. Promised in marriage to her horrendous uncle, Amani knows she has to escape. So when a mysterious foreign rebel blows up the explosive factory, she takes her chance, winding up embroiled in a dangerous rebellion.

Weaving together relatable characters and relationships within a teasingly magical fantasy world, part one of Rebel of the Sands looks like it could be the start of something truly special.

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Coming of Age

Abbey Clancy

Remember My Name

Abbey Clancy is a lingerie model and TV presenter best known for her appearances on Britain’s Next Top Model (BNTM) and Strictly Come Dancing. She’s married to former England footballer Peter Crouch and will be presenting the new series of BNTM this year.

Her debut novel, Remember My Name, is a romantic comedy about a talented young girl from Liverpool who dreams of hitting the big time in the music industry.

From the moment Jess stars her first school musical, she knows that she’s GOT to be a star. Fast forward a few years and she’s down and out, when a big break with a record label drops into her lap. Can she take the long struggle to the top and, when she gets there, will she be able to hack the heat?

Drawing on her own experiences of making it from nothing, Abbey’s debut promises to be a touching coming of age tale to inspire every budding young superstar.

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Historical

Guinevere Glasfurd

The Words In My Hand

Originally from the North of England, Guinevere Glusford now lives just outside Cambridgeshire on the edge of the Fens. With a background in historical research, she has won awards from Arts Council England and the British Council for her historical short stories, which have been published in Mslexia and The Scotsman.

The Words In My Hand is Guinevere’s debut novel – the reimagined true story of Helena Jans, a Dutch maid in 17th-century Amsterdam who falls in love with French philosopher, René Descartes.

Helena is working for an English bookseller when a reclusive lodger arrives, known only as The Monsieur. Drawn by his mystique and intellect, Helena eventually breaks through to the Monsieur, discovering his true identity. What follows is an intriguing synthesis of one man’s quest for reason, with one woman’s struggle for a voice, eventually ending in a tragedy that changes everything.

Based on actual biographies by Descarte, Glusford has skillfully fleshed out Helena’s life and relationship, finally giving her the place in history that she deserves.

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Romance

Talulah Riley

Acts of Love

Talulah Riley is an English actress, writer, director, co-founder of a mobile app and shortly to become a published author. Now living in LA with tech entrepreneur husband Elon Musk, you may have caught her in St Trinian’s, Pride & Prejudice and The Boat That Rocked.

Her debut novel Acts of Love follows Bernadette – a cutthroat journalist feared by celebs and public figures for her ruthless exposés.

But hiding behind Bernadette’s fierce exterior lies a hidden vulnerability… one that heartthrob Radley Blake can see right through to. Charismatic, intelligent and obnoxiously confident, Radley seems to be the only one immune to Bernadette’s act.

Not much more is known about Tallulah’s debut right now. We’ll have to see when it appears later this year in August!

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