A CHILDREN’S author is set to publish her third novel after a whirlwind career inspired by a vivid dream.
Harriet Goodwin’s latest offering, The Hex Factor, follows the success of her second publication, Gravehunger.
The Croxton writer’s debut novel, The Boy who Fell Down Exit 43, released in September 2009, was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award.
The dream that led to this book’s storyline inspired Mrs Goodwin’s decision to wind down her professional singing career to start writing.
She said: “After giving birth to my fourth child, Alfie, I had a vivid dream that wouldn’t let me go and I started writing it down. I wrote in secret for eight months, only managing to do a very small amount each day as I had to look after my baby.
“My career has taken off relatively quickly for an author as I won a competition in 2007 with my first book, from which I got a good agent and a deal.” The Hex Factor follows the story of school pupil Xanthe Fox, who is framed for something she did not do at school and threatened with expulsion.
As supernatural forces appear to be at play with mysterious glowing Xs appearing in front of her eyes, she turns to her grandmother for help, but the revelations of Grandma Alice soon change Xanthe’s life forever.
With the book set to be launched at Eccleshall Library on September 20 between 10am and 11am, Mrs Goodwin is already working on a sequel.
She said: “I don’t know how far the series could go as you’re always at the mercy of your publisher, but it’s nice to continue working with the characters I’ve been living with for the past 18 months.
“It’s fantastic that I’ve found a profession that I can balance with my singing ambitions and family.” To mark the launch, publisher Stripes has set up a competition to win free tickets to West End musical Wicked in London and a meal for two at Pizza Express.
Details of the competition are available at www.harrietgoodwinbooks.co.uk.
