I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. The first book I had published,Vicious Circle, is going out of print together with Jade’s Story. Their sales just don’t cut the mustard. It’s a shame but it’s the way it is in publishing. Bookshops only have so much shelf space and unless you are in the Premier League of children’s writers, what happens to midlisters like me is that when we have a new title out our old title is taken off the shelf. Few people know of my earlier stuff unless I do a school visit. Ironically Vicious Circle sells the best then! Everyone is eager to know what homeless Louisa May finds in her mother’s mangy old fox-fur.
I’m sad to see Jade’s Story withdrawn, too. In Jade’s Story, Jade’s father has a breakdown and she is full of resentment towards this man who acts so weird she can’t take friends home. I know, I know, I can see you rolling your eyes and thinking dreary real-life stuff no wonder it’s going out of print. But mental illness is very common and anything that helps a child cope with it can’t be a bad thing. I had one moving letter from a 13 year-old girl I’ll treasure forever. ‘I just wanted to say thanks for writing Jade’s Story. It helps me to cope. You see I am a bit like Jade. my mum has a long term illness and I care for her. I found this book in the library. I had searched before for a book like this but couldn’t find one. I was ecstatic when by chance I found Jade’s Story. It’s brilliant. I think more books should be written on this topic because I am sure there are many people it could help.’
Ah well.