94-year-old publishes first novel (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Wimbledon grandmother publishes her first book

12:00pm Saturday 12th January 2013 in News By Omar Oakes

A 94-year-old has proven it really is never too late to chase your dream after she became the debut author of a book which launched this week.

Peta Knight, who lives in King’s Road, Wimbledon, has written Heaven Promises No Favours, a tale of romance set within a French ballet company where Gregoire Fellini, a strict and serious dance maestro, falls in love with a young and talented dancer.

Mrs Knight - who does not use a computer and writes all her work in long-hand, has written short stories her whole life as “therapy” and started this one more than five years ago after her children and grandchildren took up ballet.

She said: ”I suppose everyone would like to be published but I never thought it would happen.

“It was my eldest son who suggested printing this book and helped me to get it done.

“I think perhaps the family was curious to know what I’d been writing about all these years.

Despite it being her first published work, she insists it was easy to write and has lots more stories she wants to write in the future.

On her biggest challenge writing the three-part book, she adds: “I found the editing my own work very difficult. Also, because I write everything in long-hand, I found reading my own handwriting difficult.”

She shies away from offering advice to aspiring authors because, she added: “I don’t think of myself as an authority.

“All I can say is to write what you feel, do your research thoroughly and read a lot. Don’t imagine it’s too late to start and don’t give up.”

The book will be launched on Tuesday, January 15, at Wimbledon Books and Music in the High Street, Wimbledon Village and is available to buy online.