A WILTSHIRE grandmother is watching her book sales with keen interest after penning her debut novel which was published in July.

Lynn Griffin, from Trowbridge, took two years to write Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox, an historical romance set in 1950s London, while working in adult social care with Wiltshire Council.

Mrs Griffin, 66, a grandmother of five who is now retired, said: "I initially wrote 180,000 words and then had to cut it back when I got a contract from a publisher four months after submitting it.

"There are now two books and this is the prequel to the second novel. They are now both about 80,000 words.

"I feel I am really fortunate. I had no intention of sending any of my work to publishers.

"I love writing, and am obsessive about writing, but a couple of well-intentioned people gave me a kick up the proverbial to go for it, get it out there before I popped my clogs.

"After giving careful thought about their words, I realised I had nothing to lose.

"I had a gut feeling about one publisher, and, having not heard from them after the three months they all suggest, I wrote back, simply asking if they were not interested to let me know so that I could move on.

"I am truly amazed at the outcome and would encourage other budding writers not to give up. If you have a dream, turn it into a reality."

Mrs Griffin is a member of the Frome Writers Collective and is proofreading her second novel before sending it back to the publisher.

Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox is published by Wild Rose Press of New York at £13.99. It can be found in paperback and as a Kindle version on Amazon, and at Blackwells, Waterstones, Barnes and Nobel and other outlets.