A NEW chapter beckons for a Hardgate author after she secured a publishing deal which will see her books made available to hundreds of new readers.

Emma Clapperton celebrated after reaching an agreement with Olida Publishing to print and distribute her first two novels, Beyond Evidence and Henderson Manor.

The 29-year-old told the Post: “I was in shock, excited and on a high when I heard. I was in a room filled with authors, editors and readers and I felt a little overwhelmed.

“My family and a good friend of mine (the author who put me in touch with Olida) were there which helped me to stay calm. I just couldn’t believe that I had secured a book deal.

“I’m hoping that the deal will only bring good things. I am lucky that I am still very much in control of the Kindle side of the book and can do online promotions, which is where the sales of books are at their highest.

“Olida seem to know what they are doing in way of promotion and PR, and are leading me in the direction I want my career to go in.” The deal will see an initial print run of 200 books, which will be distributed via Booksource, book shops and online stores. A further print run is due to follow afterwards.

Set in the west end of Glasgow, Henderson Manor features the return of police officers Preston and Lang while medium Patrick McLaughlin also returns from the previous offering, Beyond Evidence.

Now Emma, a nursery teacher who lives with her fiancé Chris, is in the midst of writing her third novel. A stand alone book, the plot centres on a woman who has escaped her abusive husband and travelling community to start a new life for herself. She tries to find out more about her parents and where she originally came from but in doing so, she finds herself back at the traveller site she was so desperate to escape from.

“I have around three quarters of the book written so far and I have a fair idea of how it is going to end,” Emma said. “I am excited about this book as it is a little out of my comfort zone.

“I am happy with the plot so far.” Reflecting on her work and writing schedule, Emma continued: “It can be difficult at times. I try to get all my duties done in the morning on my days off before I sit down to write.

“I try to write anytime I can, sometimes on lunch breaks on my Kindle, even if it is only 100 words. I work 40 hours a week so I find it tricky sometimes to find motivation in the evenings but I do try to make sure I have some me time. I think I have a good balance of work, writing and home life; nothing really gets in the way of any of the three.” Beyond Evidence is due to be relaunched at Waterstones, Argyle Street, Glasgow, on Thursday, November 12, at 6.30pm.

More information is available by liking Author Emma L Clapperton on Facebook or following @EmmaLClapperton on Twitter.