A woman from Bolton has published her third children’s book inspired by a long-lost manuscript she wrote almost 40 years ago as a young girl.
Elizabeth Green, 55, wrote the original version of The Adventures of Detective Dopeyworth when she was aged just 14 after getting a typewriter for Christmas from her parents Laurence and Marie Dillon.
Elizabeth always had a vivid imagination and a love for reading and writing, so she started typing away the story of the detective, and her dad “loved it”.
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But it wasn’t until four years ago when her parents died two weeks apart from each other, that she came across the original story again in her dad’s writing desk when clearing out their house.
She then published the lost manuscript last year.
Elizabeth said: “I’d completely forgotten about the manuscript until 2019, when I found it in a drawer while clearing out my parents’ house after my dad passed away.
“I didn’t know my dad had kept it all this time, but it ignited a desire to get the story published and I spent a year updating it.
“When it was finally published last year, I was blown away by the response.
“I’ve spent the past year doing various book promotions and school visits to do readings.
“It is lovely seeing how kids respond to the clumsy but lovable Detective Dopeyworth character, whose red curly hair was inspired by my dad’s appearance.”
Twelve months on from Elizabeth’s debut release, a sequel has now arrived with the publication of Detective Dopeyworth and the Mince Pie Mystery.
Published by Grosvenor House, the new book is a humorous festive tale of a Christmas crime which comes to the attention of James Dopeyworth, an accident-prone amateur detective who dreams of becoming like his hero, Sherlock Holmes.
Mother-of-one Elizabeth runs her own business consultancy, which she balances with her writing and promotional activities.
Although Elizabeth has moved to the North Yorkshire Moors, she says that Bolton is “where her heart was when writing”.
With her passion for writing rekindled, Elizabeth is enjoying the realisation of her ambition to be an author which she first held as a teenage bookworm, writing tales on her typewriter.
Elizabeth said: “Now, at the age of 55, I feel that my writing career has taken off.
“In June I released my second book, The Owl Who Could Only Growl, and I’m delighted to get my third published with Detective Dopeyworth and the Mince Pie Mystery coming out in time for Christmas.
“It’s a witty, fast paced and engaging read for ages six and over, full of twists and turns that will keep young super-sleuths engaged right to the last page.
“If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone wanting to become an author, I would say keep pursuing your dreams and believe in your ability, even when you have lurking doubts.
“I’m a big believer in the wonder of storytelling and the power of imagination.”
Detective Dopeyworth and the Mince Pie Mystery can be ordered on Amazon, Waterstones or direct from Elizabeth via Elizabethgreenauthor@outlook.com.
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