Penny celebrates release of debut novel and two-book deal with publisher
Former University of Chichester MA Creative Writing student Penelope Bush is celebrating the release of her debut novel Alice in Time and agreeing a two-book deal with her publisher. Alice in Time is a brilliantly observed portrait of a teenage girl’s world. 14-year-old Alice is at crisis point. Her mum is ruining her life, her dad’s getting remarried, she can’t stand her little brother Rory, and Sasha, the most popular girl at school, hates her guts. Then something odd happens. Alice falls off a roundabout and finds that she is seven years old again. Reliving her past with her 14-year-old consciousness, she gains a disconcerting new perspective on her family and friendships. Returning to her teenage self, Alice discovers that her experience has brought about some extraordinary changes and that life will never be the same again. Penny who lives in West Sussex with her partner and teenage son, likes to write in an old caravan where her only distraction is the occasional pheasant wandering past. Penny said; “I trained and worked as a tapestry weaver but I always knew that one day I would write. I decided to do an English degree at the University and then progressed onto the MA in Creative Writing. I actually started this book for my MA dissertation and received a distinction!
“Having my book published has been the most amazing experience. I think I'm still in shock, it all happened so quickly. Obviously it's something every writer dreams of but I never really expected it to happen. Doing the MA at Chichester really focused my mind and gave me confidence in my writing, not to mention all the practical help on presentation and layout that is so important when submitting work to a publisher." Penny will be in the Chichester branch of Waterstones on May 8th signing copies of her book. She will also be holding a book reading at the University on 18th October. Alice in Time has already been sold by auction to the USA, and has strong interest from European publishers. The book is now available in all good book stores and published by Piccadilly Press priced at £6.99.
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