It's been an exciting time. Getting published, the book in my hand and all the lovely messages coming in; it's been great. Thank you all who took the trouble to be in touch. I really appreciate it.

The most exciting moment came when I realised that the book had climbed to 719 on the dystopia list of a well known on line book seller. I didn't even realise there was a dystopia list.

All my favourite dystopia writers were there, and loads more I've not heard of. To be at number 719 was like being in the Classic FM Hall of Fame but without the music.

Of course, the book has slipped back to a more modest position now, but for while it was like seeing the view from the top of Scar Fell, something I did in my 30s. Now I mostly walk on the level.

People ask what comes next and with my excitement gradually returning to normal (whatever that is), I am thinking about it. One of my problems has always been focus. Just as I read about a dozen books at a time, so it seems, I'm one of those who writes several things at once as well. It may take a while to determine which of my current projects is actually going to make it to the finishing post. Who know what heights will be achieved by future publications.

Janet lees, 5th February 2024, in Longdedale.