My guest today is talented historical romance writer Rosemary Smith. She’s sharing the poignant story of how she began writing, and her road to publication. Over to you, Rosy. 

Thank you for the invite Georgia, to write a little about myself on your blog!

Since an 8 year old, I have always loved writing. Compositions, essays, poetry and short stories. The written word always had an appeal for me, and I am an avid reader of history, romance and mystery. In my 20s I couldn’t get enough of Jean Plaidy books, Victoria Holt, Dorothy Eden & Nigel Tranter. It would be difficult to say which my favourite book is, but ‘ Forever Amber ‘ by Kathleen Winsor always springs to mind, when asked the question.

I was a Victoria Holt fan too. Read them all!

Never did I think that I would have seven novellas which I had written, published, and for sale!

I started writing in my mid 50s, to amuse myself after having a brain tumour removed. A friend typed up my first story for me, and nearing the finish, she said that I must send it to a publisher as it was an excellent plot.I sent the story to DC Thomson in Dundee for their My weekly Pocket Novels. It was accepted, and I never looked back. Six more Victorian Romantic Suspense novellas followed, and were later put in to large print by Ulverscroft. The original books are all out of print, but fortunately the seven titles were published as ebooks fairly recently by Endeavour Press, and can be purchased in the kindle store on Amazon. Next year I will be 70, and feel very lucky that all I have written has been published.

I live in a chocolate box village in East Devon, although by birth I am a Londoner. Our stepfather moved us to Exmouth in 1959, and I always think of Devon as home.

Many would agree I am an incurable romantic! I love weddings, lace, old houses, long flowing gowns, handsome men and love. All of these things can be found in my seven books.

People ask if I am writing anything else. Well yes is the answer. My first full length novel, set in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 1900s. It is a time slip story about a young woman who wakes up in a castle with no memory of who she is. I should complete it by the end of the year.

Family, writing and reading are very important to me, as are the many friends I have made along the way. I shall always be grateful to the friend who typed my first story, and Dorothy Hunter who was the Editor who accepted it!

You can find out more about my guest here:

https://www.facebook.com/rosemary.smith.56614?fref=ts

And you can find all Rosy’s books on Amazon.

That’s an inspiring story Rosy. It will give hope to lots of writers hoping to get published. Just goes to show it’s possible to achieve your dreams whatever the obstacle. Thank you so much for being my guest.