TOP KINGSTON-BASED ENTREPRENEUR WINS NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD

- U Star Novels is named as winner in the annual Startup Awards for ‘Business Plan of the Year’ -

Kingston, Surrey – October 2006, U Star Novels, who offers the UK’s first adventure romance novels with a twist… you are the star, was announced as a winner of the ‘Business Plan of the Year’ category at the Startups Awards ceremony and luncheon on Friday 20 October, 2006.

The judges were impressed with U Star Novel’s unique concept and potential, placing the business among 52 finalists selected from over 450 entries.

The business is the UK’s first to offer any couple the chance to star in their very own romance novel. By providing U Star Novels with nearly twenty-six personal details, including names, features and traits you will co-author a 150 - 180 page romance novel that will feature you on every page.

The Startups Awards, organised by Crimson Business’ Startups.co.uk, comprised of 15 categories, each showcasing the best new businesses in the UK. The winners were unveiled at a prestigious awards ceremony and three-course luncheon held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington and hosted by Sky News’ Adrienne Lawler.

Katie Olver, Director of U Star Novels, comments: “We are thrilled to have been bestowed with this prestigious award. Having the business recognised at such a crucial time in its startup phase is fantastic and gives us great confidence for the future growth of U Star Novels.”

The judges said: “Katie Olver is arguably the bravest of this year’s winners. She broke some rules with her plan but achieved her aim – which is what being an entrepreneur is all about.”

Endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and underlining its commitment to identifying and rewarding the UK’s best new businesses, the third annual Startups Awards was organised in conjunction with NatWest.

This year’s judging panel consists of some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, including Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind up radio, Sahar Hashemi of Coffee Republic and Adrian Chiles from Working Lunch.

Additional sponsors include Blackberry, BT Plc, Sage, Viking, Bartercard, Brother and National Business Register PLC.

Startups.co.uk is the UK’s largest independent online resource for budding entrepreneurs and the Startups Awards is one of the leading events on the small business calendar.

For further information about Startups Awards 2006 visit www.startupsawards.co.uk or telephone 020 8334 1648

To find out more about U Star Novels and to experience a free excerpt from one of our novels, please visit, www.ustarnovels.com