Portsmouth woman says never give up on your dreams as first book is published more than 10 years after she wrote it
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
MORE than 10 years ago a council worker put pen to paper but was left deflated when her book failed to garner interest from publishers – but today that same book has been published and she wants people to know that they should never give up on their dreams.
Portsmouth City Council worker and Pompey fan Kate Osterholm has loved writing since she was a young girl and had her first poem published in The News’ Chipper Club.
Since then the 49-year-old has always seen her passion as just a hobby but finally getting her first book published, Kate is determined to follow her dreams of being a full-time author after having her first book, Finding Cary Grant, published.
She said: ‘Over the years I have almost nearly got there so many times and been shortlisted and such but never quite got the final yes.
‘I wrote Finding Cary Grant about 10 years ago and I had any agent who thought I would find a publisher but the general feedback was that the market was in a bit of a slump and many publishers weren’t taking on new writers.
‘I put the book in a drawer and forgot all about it but decided last summer to send it to Blossom Spring Publishing and they said yes. I was absolutely thrilled and now seeing the book in my hands is incredible.’
The book follows the journey of Francine, who takes a trip across Europe to find her father. She has nurtured him in her imagination as a silver-screen Hollywood hero – but the question is whether he will live up to her expectations.
Kate said: ‘I have had such good feedback already. My partner who doesn’t read that kind of female genre told me that he liked it and friends have been lovely.
‘I am now thinking about more book ideas and perhaps expanding in terms of genre.
‘Overall I think it just shows how you should never give up on your dreams and I hope it inspires someone to carry on with their goals.’
Finding Cary Grant is available online on Amazon.