First time author Heather Barnett, from Eastcott near Devizes, has achieved her dream of landing her first publishing deal.

It’s been quite the journey for the former Lavington School student who recalls her very first writing gig.

She said: “I remember I was very proud about a poem I wrote when I was 10. It was about autumn and in Cadbury’s Book of Children’s Poetry, I think.

“That’s the only thing I’ve had published prior to Acts of Kindness, so it’s been a while in the making!”

Ms Barnett moved to Leeds, after completing sixth form at Dauntsey’s School, to embark on a degree in English and French before taking on a marketing job.

In her spare time however, she always wrote.

She said: “I’d start novels and maybe put them aside, and start something new.

“Acts of Kindness was inspired in part by a day I was commuting to London. A woman fell down some stairs at Paddington Station, and people all swooped to help her, gather her things, and make sure she was okay.

“That really resonated with me.”

Acts of Kindess story follows Bella Black, who arrives in a sleepy Wiltshire village for an exciting new job that holds a mysterious secret.

A large part of the novel revolves around the secretive OAK Institute, which is inspired by a large stately home on Wiltshire’s border that always caught Ms Barnet’s curious eye.

Ms Barnett added: “I’m really excited for people to read the book next year, and with everything going on due to Covid it’s been lovely to have something to look forward to. It’s a dream to be published.”

Acts of Kindness, published by Serpentine Books, will be on the shelves and in online stores from March 11.