This month’s column is intended to give heart to every writer who has reached the stage of wondering: why am I even bothering? My goal was to be a children’s author – I’m not saying I thought I’d reach the level of JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, Roald Dahl or any of the many brilliant children’s authors, but I had hoped to achieve a following of loyal fans who enjoyed my work.
The first book I ever completed was a children’s novel, Vlad the Inhaler. I also wrote another two children’s books, neither of which were good enough to interest either the agent I had at the time, or a publisher. A third was shortlisted in a major competition, but that’s as far as it got. It didn’t fit the needs of any of the publishing houses.