The Authorized Version

 I almost overlooked it. When the hardback of my latest crime thriller, The Wounded Thorn, came out in February I thought it was my 49^th book. Since I was 80 this year, I thought it would have been nice for this to have been my 50^th. 

Then, a few months ago, I discovered that a small book I had written for the Association of Christian Writers, Your Guide to Creating a Christian Writer Group, had been published two years ago by Media Associates International as an ebook available on Amazon. 

Suddenly the numbers changed. The Wounded Thorn was now my 50^th book. In all my 40 years as a published author I have never had a book launch. This was definitely one I couldn’t miss. Paperback publication at the end of 2015 seemed the ideal opportunity.

I hired a lovely room at Exeter Central Library, overlooking Rougemont Gardens and the Roman castle. Crafty Cakes provided a wonderful celebration cake with a scan of the book cover. Forty of those 50 books made a display the length of the room. And loads of friends, fans and fellow writers came along to share the occasion. Son Mark took the chair for the readings and questions. Daughter Kate took over the book sales. It was a very happy day.

I read, of course, from The Wounded Thorn, and also from my children’s fantasy Pangur Ban. Some thirty years on, this is still one of my favourites. It was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award. I’m delighted that all six books in that series will be re-published as ebooks in the New Year.

Reaching 80 years and my 50^th book gives me a chance to step back and enjoy a sabbatical while I decide where to go next. My writing career has spanned a wide range of books: children’s, fantasy, historical, crime, church history. I have no shortage of ideas for books I could write, the question is how best to use the time I have left? Is there a book I have always meant to write? Is there a type of writing I haven’t ventured into but which perhaps is calling me? Or shall I write more of the things I have most enjoyed? Or will the sabbatical extend into graceful retirement? I’m lucky to have so many choices and to have had so much to celebrate.