Lakelands author Marian Jasper has celebrated sweet success after her debut novel ‘For All Time’ was published late last year.
The first book in the Liza Marchant series, ‘For All Time’, follows the life of Ellie Fuller who sifts through the letters, journals and keepsakes of a woman born nearly 200 years before her.
Since it’s release, the book has done better than Ms Jasper could’ve ever expected.
“What pleases me is that it is selling well and it is doing quite well in America too,” she said.
“Barnes and Noble, which has over 600 outlets in America, used my book as their Christmas promotion twice.
“I was so surprised, I couldn’t believe it – I should’ve asked for commission.”
After a long career in journalism, Ms Jasper packed up her career in England for a fresh start and new business venture in Jersey, off the coast of France, where she met her husband, Paul.
The couple relocated to Australia to be with family in 2011, when the talented author said her passion for writing began to flourish.
“For many years I had the basis of one book in mind and started it a couple of times but life got too busy and I was writing other things,” she said.
“When I came over here, about eight years ago, I had the time, so after settling in I thought ‘now is the time’ and I just started.
“I’ve just finished book seven of the series.”
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But a lifetime of putting pen to paper didn’t keep the nerves at bay when it was time for the first book to hit the shelves of stores across the world.
“I was so nervous before it was published,” she said.
“I thought ‘I should’ve used somebody else’s name’, I didn’t want to use my own name.
“I have this great saying ‘you’ve got to have the courage of your own convictions’.”
It wasn’t long before the positive feedback started coming in waves and it became obvious the hard work was “worth it”.
“It’s going great for someone who is unknown,” Ms Jasper said.
“I’ve even got a few fans now.”
“I’m being shown at the London Book Fair on March 12 at the New Title showcase and at the New York Rights Fair.
“It’s going in the right direction but I don’t know how I’m feeling – I’m not jumping up and down but I’m quietly happy on the inside.”
Ms Jasper’s husband Paul said he wasn’t able to put the book down after he started reading it, despite historical fiction not being his usual go-to genre.
“I’m not saying it because I have to say it but I really did enjoy it and I’m looking forward to the next one because I want to find out what happens,” he said.
“I just let her get on with her writing because it makes her happy and gives me time to work on my hobbies,” he said.
“She doesn’t struggle with writing, in fact sometimes I struggle to stop her from writing.”
Marian Jasper’s second book in the Liza Marchant series is expected to be released in April with the third installment set to published before the end of the year.
‘For All Time’ is available at all leading book stores in 52 countries around the world and online.