Grandmother Lands Book Deal For Debut Novel Aged 82

"An 82-year-old grandmother is celebrating after landing a book deal for her debut novel. Myrrha Stanford-Smith, 82, saw her first work 'The Great Lie' start appearing on shelves last week. Myrrha Stanford-Smith, a teacher and theatre director, said she was ''gobsmacked'' to be handed the three-book agreement, which saw her first work The Great Lie start appearing on shelves last week...” Full Article


This article was in the Telegraph newspaper in London June 28. The book was released June 17 in England so I have not read it, nor can I recommend or not recommend it. I’m just impressed with the accomplishment. It’s 190 for sells on the UK Amazon site, which is amazing. I predict it won’t be long until it finds a US publisher.

Ever had a dream you gave up on because you thought you were too old? This grandmother kept sending in those manuscripts and collecting those rejections. Now she has her dream.

I admit I had to look up the word “gobsmacked” and found that it means to slap one’s mouth in surprise, sort of like flabbergasted.


After reading this article, I am encouraged to keep following my dreams.


A J Hawke