An Odd Way To Die 

It’s Christmas, and party night for a magazine company. But not a good night for a lovestruck writer called Rohan.
When Violet - the girl he is secretly in love with - accepts a flirtatious dance from their editor, Rohan is so upset that he dies of spontaneous combustion. He ends up in heaven’s waiting room, and after some bureaucratic hiccups is sent back to earth as an angel. He is assigned three tasks. He has to help Violet to: A) follow her dreams, B) to love herself and to C) meet Mr Right. He has 24 hours. He will be invisible and have no physical presence. And so he begins his quest. Romance blossoms between Violet and their editor - who turns out to be a controlling and violent bully. The relationship is short-lived, and Violet must find her courage to stand up to him. Similarly, Rohan discovers his power as an angel, and his courage is also tested. When Violet’s life is threatened, Rohan faces a terrible choice. Should he save her? In doing so, he risks the wrath of heaven’s bureaucrats and he could be sent to hell. And how on Earth is he to complete the tasks?

* Novel. In production.    

Away with the Angels

The bumpy road to true love has never been rockier. Cassie is in love - with the wrong man. When he breaks off their engagement, two match-making angels step in to hook her up with Mr Right. But will she listen to their advice? Invisible and bodyless, the best the two angels (Minnie and Sam) can do is whisper in the humans ears. Real life keeps throwing obstacles in their way, such as jobs, money, health and family responsibilities. And on top of that, Sam is an angel-in-training who has never done this before; the controlling ex comes back on the scene; and Mr Right - an ambitious estate agent - hits a rough spot and looks like he might skip town. How can this match ever be made?

* Full-length play. Minimum five actors (two women, three men). 

How The Jellyfish
Lost Their Bones

There once was a time when jellyfish weren't made of jelly. They had long, strong legs and bodies that glowed brightly, like lampshades. Two beautiful sisters - Illumina and Aurora - were among these creatures. This children's illustrated book is about how they are caught by a fisherman, and taken from their world to his cottage. The cruel wife puts them to work as walking candlesticks. The sad sisters miss their home and family, and can feel their energy fade. How can they get home? 

* Children's picture book. Working with an illustrator.  

Pipe Dream - Chasing A Man's Job   

Increasing numbers of women are considering careers in the trades. Faced with job insecurities, low wages and a rising cost of living, many of us are looking for a new career - possibly as a plumber. 

And why not? Plumbers will always be needed. Plumbing can’t be outsourced to India. It's also very difficult and risky for home DIYers to do themselves. The profession offers a wide range of jobs, and also good wages. 

But despite the rewards, the UK is facing a skills shortage of plumbers and gas engineers. This is incredible to think, but true. 

The workforce is ageing. Not enough young people are coming into the industry to replace those who are retiring. 

Opportunities are there, both for young apprentices and for adults who wish to retrain - both for men and women. Demand is growing for female plumbers. A significant number of customers would prefer to have a tradeswoman in their homes. Research shows they feel safer and more comfortable to have a woman in their homes. 

Businesses are finally starting to take notice, with some major companies targeting recruitment drives at women plumbers. The plumbing colleges are taking mature students, and are becoming more female-friendly. 

There are thousands of Youtube plumbing videos. There is an abundance of plumbing books advising on tools, water regulations, how to run a business, and so on. 

Yet training to be a plumber is still so difficult. It is a huge challenge to embark on. Many aspiring plumbers struggle, maybe with finding apprenticeships or work experience, or juggling their studies with childcare, or maybe just making ends meet in the early days. 

Jennie faced all these challenges, and more. So many times she felt like giving up. But she clung on to her dream, and she now runs her own plumbing business in Weymouth. 

In her book, she shares her journey through training, her first jobs, injuries and set-backs, sexist colleagues, jobs going well, and not so well, and the reality of being a woman, and a mother, in a traditionally male industry. 

Female physical strength is also discussed. Are women strong enough to be plumbers? Why haven’t more women already trained to be plumbers? 

Could the gender stereotypes be putting them off? How could such stereotypes be broken? 

And just when you thought all the battles were won, Jennie discusses the mental health issues that half of plumbers - male and female - experience due to their work. Confidence and anxiety top the list for Jennie. 

Stepping out of one’s comfort zone into the unpredictable world of plumbing can be scary. But there are ways to make it easier. 

Finally, would Jennie do this again? Could she face such a huge challenge again? You’ll need to read the book to find out. 

* Biography.  In production  

This Crazy Thing I Did For You    

It’s Christmas, and party night for a magazine company. But not a good night for a lovestruck writer called Rohan.
When Violet - the girl he is secretly in love with - accepts a flirtatious dance from their editor, Rohan is so upset that he dies of spontaneous combustion. He ends up in heaven’s waiting room, and after some bureaucratic hiccups is sent back to earth as an angel. He is assigned three tasks. He has to help Violet to: A) follow her dreams, B) to love herself and to C) meet Mr Right. He has 24 hours. He will be invisible and have no physical presence. And so he begins his quest. Romance blossoms between Violet and their editor - who turns out to be a controlling and violent bully. The relationship is short-lived, and Violet must find her courage to stand up to him. Similarly, Rohan discovers his power as an angel, and his courage is also tested. When Violet’s life is threatened, Rohan faces a terrible choice. Should he save her? In doing so, he risks the wrath of heaven’s bureaucrats and he could be sent to hell. And how on Earth is he to complete the tasks?

* In production.    

Away with the Angels

The bumpy road to true love has never been rockier. Cassie is in love - with the wrong man. When he breaks off their engagement, two match-making angels step in to hook her up with Mr Right. But will she listen to their advice? Invisible and bodyless, the best the two angels (Minnie and Sam) can do is whisper in the humans ears. Real life keeps throwing obstacles in their way, such as jobs, money, health and family responsibilities. And on top of that, Sam is an angel-in-training who has never done this before; the controlling ex comes back on the scene; and Mr Right - an ambitious estate agent - hits a rough spot and looks like he might skip town. How can this match ever be made?

* Play. To be staged by a local drama group.

How the Jellyfish Lost Their Bones

There once was a time when jellyfish weren't made of jelly. They had long, strong legs and bodies that glowed brightly, like lampshades. Two beautiful sisters - Illumina and Aurora - were among these creatures. This children's illustrated book is about how they are caught by a fisherman, and taken from their world to his cottage. The cruel wife puts them to work as walking candlesticks. The sad sisters miss their home and family, and can feel their energy fade. How can they get home?

* Working with an illustrator.