A TEACHER from West Ruislip has fulfilled a dream in having her first novel published.
Jennifer Rothwell, 33, is about to start at Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham this September after previously working at William Perkin High School in Greenford.
Her debut novel is a young adult fantasy called A Spark Of Fire, the first in a trilogy called The Firelighters.
One reviewer says: “If you loved Harry Potter then you cannot go wrong reading this.”
Jennifer says: “I have always written stories and treated it more as a hobby, though I harboured dreams of one day publishing a novel.
“Working with young people as a secondary school teacher, I discovered a love of young adult books and began plotting out a fantasy story.”
At the time, she was living and working in York but re-located to London after husband Dean was posted to RAF Northolt. This further inspired her writing.
“[The novel] takes place in an alternative, slightly steampunk version of London, and living in the city enabled me to add depth and history to my story,” she said.
“Without the support and (sometimes very harsh!) critique of my students, both here and up in Yorkshire, I wouldn't have a novel good enough to be published!”
The couple have a young son, Sebastian.
Next story in the trilogy is due to be published in the New Year.
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