Dear all, My first duty is to thank all of the new and aspiring medical writers who sent an entry to Head Office for the Geoff Hall Scholarship Award. The committee has awarded one scholarship this year, but we urge anyone who was not successful to please try again, if you are eligible. The title for next year's essay is: ‘Are Medical Writers Ghostwriters?’. This year's essays certainly sparked some debate, and our decision was not easy. However, I am delighted and very privileged to be able to introduce you to the first winner of a Geoff Hall Scholarship: Menorca Chaturvedi. I had intended to write a little bit about her background and experience myself, but she sent me such a lovely letter that I thought it much more appropriate that she introduces herself. Her letter is below, followed by her winning entry. Lisa Chamberlain Jameslisa@trilogywriting.com