Writer donating proceeds from new children’s book
Megan Wain-Smith, 76, from Taverham, is donating 25% of the profits from her first book, ‘Elvena and the Wolf’ to our new hospice appeal.
As a teenager, she helped plant a tree near Priscilla Bacon Lodge with Lady Priscilla Bacon, who led the original fundraiser for the Norwich hospice in the 1970s.
Photo credit: Sonya Duncan
Mrs Wain-Smith, who is a member of the Wymondham Writing Circle, took two years to write her children’s adventure book, for 9-12 year-olds, which was published in 2019 by Norwich-based Smokehouse Press.
The grandmother, who grew up in Tacolneston, near Wymondham, wanted to donate the money to the appeal after visiting Priscilla Bacon Lodge a few years ago with a singing group. She said: “It had a lovely atmosphere, was warm and calm. Everyone seemed happy. There was something about that place that struck me.”
The former telephonist and care worker recruitment firm founder added that getting her first book published was a lifelong dream.
Mrs Wain-Smith added: “I had my head in a book as a child all the time or was scribbling away. It was all about adventures. I longed to be the people in those books. Nothing happened in Talcolneston in those days.”
Her favourite stories were Famous Five and Secret Seven by Enid Blyton and as a child she also read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Little Women.
The book is based on caves around Dovedale in Derbyshire and centres around a 12-year-old girl called Elvena who saves a wolf cub. The pair go on adventures in different time periods.
Mrs Wain-Smith said to aspiring authors: “It is not easy but if you stick at things it will come. Don’t give up. If I can do it anyone can.”
Hugo Stevenson, Head of Fundraising and Communications for Priscilla Bacon Hospice, said: “We are grateful to Megan. It is amazing to see the variety of ways in which the community supports our campaign.”
The book costs £7 and can be bought from www.smokehousepress.co.uk