As I flipped through the pages of the Writer's Forum magazine, I stumbled upon a feature on Linen Press that immediately caught my attention. It felt like the perfect place to submit my debut novel, Breeze From The River Manjeera. Eager to seize the opportunity, I meticulously polished the first three chapters and quickly crafted a two-page synopsis. Without wasting any time, I posted my submission.

To my delight, a few weeks later, a letter arrived from Lynn Michell, the director and editor of Linen Press. Filled with anticipation, I eagerly opened the letter to discover that she enjoyed my sample chapters and synopsis. What a thrill it was when she requested the complete manuscript! With renewed determination, I dedicated myself to proofreading the entire manuscript and promptly sent it off.

Unfortunately, shortly after submitting my manuscript, life took an unexpected turn. Both of my parents fell seriously ill, forcing me to put my writing aspirations on hold for nearly two years. Tragically, within eighteen months, I experienced the devastating loss of both my parents.

When I returned to the UK, my heart heavy with sorrow, the thought of writing seemed distant and unattainable. I needed time to grieve and heal, and thus a couple of months went by without so much as picking up a pen or attending my writers' group. It was in April 2008 that my dear friend Frances reached out to me, sensing my despair. She gently encouraged me to engage in simple activities, like tidying up my study, as a means of reconnecting with my writing.

Taking her advice to heart, I entered my study and began reorganizing the bookshelves. As I did so, my mother's framed photograph slipped into a narrow gap between the wall and the bookshelf. Instinctively, I reached my hand into the crevice to rescue it, and to my surprise, I discovered an envelope alongside the photograph. Retrieving both, I realized that it was the letter from my publisher, Lynn Michell, which I had inadvertently left unopened and forgotten amidst my worries. As I read its contents, I discovered that she had indeed offered me a publishing contract.

In that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if it was my mother's way of urging me to resume my writing. Perhaps she was guiding me from beyond the veil, nudging me to reclaim my passion and find solace in the written word once more.