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How I Became an Author
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “Did you always want to be an author?” The simple answer is ‘no.’ Growing up, I wanted to become a professional swimmer and represent my Country at the Olympics. From the age of 8 years old, I trained relentlessly, – on average for 4 hours a day, [2 hours before and 2 hours after school]. My coach, ‘Mr Hubbard’ and my mother encouraged me. Unfortunately, when I was 11 years old it was discovered, that swimming was damaging my hearing, I was issued with two hearing aids, and I had to stop training – ending my dream to be a professional swimmer…
The first serious ambition I nurtured in my teens was to join the police force and become a serving police officer. At the age of 17, I sat the police entrance exam, passing the exam but failing the medical due to my hearing impediment. After leaving college, I went into office work there, I was introduced to the wonderful world of computers. Then when I became pregnant several years later, I started writing children’s stories, – turning an old broom cupboard into a makeshift office. I used writing to pass the time as I settled into my new role as a young mother. Friends reading my stories encouraged me to take writing seriously and, although I was hesitant at first, I was set up to appear as a main story on the television program, ‘Surprise Surprise’ with the late Cilla Black. [see video below]. After the Christmas special show broadcast, I signed with an agent who approached publishers, and my career as a professional writer began.
Weaving The Magic
The magic of the festive season has been in the Gilmour family for three generations. It began with my grandfather James Gilmour Sr. Every year, he would don the famous red robes and push a cart down the cobble streets of Liverpool. The cart was filled with wrapped-up toys that he would hand out to underprivileged children. After my grandfather, his son, my uncle Jim Gilmour began to weave the magic, – he began a free ‘Santa Letter Service,’ replying to over 20,000 letters a year to children who wrote to Santa Claus. One year, he began a ‘dial a Santa’ where children could ring up and speak to Santa personally, but the huge volume of calls disrupted the telephone exchange, and he was politely asked not to do it again.
In 1987, I was ceremonially appointed an Elf, – Elf Pipkin – Santa’s Secretary. My role was to help reply to the children’s letters, and I must admit I felt honoured to have such an important job.
My Most Important Role
The most important role in my life is being a mother. Raising my two sons, Oliver and Westley, has given me the greatest satisfaction imaginable, and although they are no longer ‘babes in the arms’ [both are now in their 30s] – they are still the center of my life.
As a parent, I have always wished to secure a prosperous future for Oliver and Westley. In 1991, I accomplished this personal aspiration by signing a publishing contract with a main UK Publishing House for the release of four hardcover books featuring The Snowmites. Unfortunately, three months before the books were to be released my career was cut short due to a traumatic brain injury which caused a coma-related disability. Life suddenly became a journey of recovery. Being made homeless during this period made life even more difficult. I say without hesitation, – my children’s care and devotion have been an inspiration over the years.
A Shared Family Brand Experience
My main writing is for Children and YA. In 2025, I intend to launch the Snowmites Brand. I have created what you call a multi-Universe, aptly named ‘MITEVERSE.’ My first book, ‘The Snowmites – Treasures of The Earth’ is a gift book encyclopaedia, narrated by Zandeer, the Beautiful Spirit of Children and The Snowmites. It has over 280 full-colour pages; – taking readers on a journey from the beginning of how the Earth was formed. Exploring how all the many natural treasures of the planet are created, and introduces readers to crystals, precious gems, Meditation, Yoga, and Environmental Issues. These subjects are very fashionable with families today.
I’m very conscious about protecting children’s imagination so I decided to create a brand, ‘Snowmites Magic’ that will engage children’s imagination, whilst, at the same time being educational and covering current conversations, such as Mental Health and Self-Love.
The novel, ‘Legends of Spirit’ is aimed at YA and adults. It is the backstory to the origins of the Spirit Council, [The Divine Seven]. I wanted to create a shared family experience in brand storytelling. Zandeer, being one of the ‘Divine Seven’ weaves her story in the legends of Spirit. In the story, the Mysterious Crystal of Life which bestows life energy to the kingdom of Heavenina is shattered into six separate pieces that zoom off into the universe. Nymous, the Spirit-Lord instructs each of the Spirit Council members to go in search of the missing crystals, – once discovered they must then wait until they have found a true guardian for the mysterious crystal before they can return to their home in the heavens.
I have developed this cross-market storytelling approach to create a universe where older members of the family can engage and share with younger family members the origins of Zandeer’s [and the other Spirits] stories…
A Collaboration of Friendship?
One of the most meaningful projects in my writing career is the daily devotion book Jesus, Who Am I With You?, which I have co-written with my long-time friend and fellow writer, Amanda Chapman.
This book holds a special significance for me as it reflects my deep-rooted faith and the close spiritual connection I share with Amanda. Scheduled for release on 1st May 2025, Jesus, Who Am I With You? is not just another devotional book but a daily guide crafted to nurture and strengthen the reader’s relationship with Jesus.
The Transformative Power of Jesus
Each page of the book features a thoughtfully written devotion, one for each day of the year, designed to engage the heart and mind and encourage personal reflection. The words are meant to lead readers on their own spiritual journey, offering inspiration, comfort, and guidance. This Note-taking edition also invites readers to jot down their own reflections, allowing them to deepen their connection with Jesus and document how His presence impacts their daily lives.
The stunning illustrations throughout the book enhance the devotional experience, providing a beautiful visual backdrop to each day’s reflection. Our writing collaboration for this book has been a true labour of love, combining our personal experiences of faith and our shared mission to spread the message of love, hope, and the transformative power of Jesus.
My grandfather and Uncle Jim were not the only storytellers in our family, [Uncle Jim was also a writer and published a children’s book]. But my father, John Gilmour always had a magical story of his own to tell me, – there was laughter and magic, fairy tales and wizards, gnomes and unicorns, oh, and naturally stories, hundreds of stories about elves. Growing up in this environment gave me an endless sense of wonderment. So, perhaps, writing children’s stories was my destiny! Maybe, just maybe, I was born to become a storyteller!
Perhaps It Was Destiny!
The Charity – I support
A Lifeline for Victims: Why Trust House Lancashire Needs Our Help
As a survivor and former client of Trust House Lancashire, I am profoundly grateful for the support this charity provided during the most difficult period of my life. Today, I am glad I can give back by donating a percentage from every sale of my books to Trust House Lancashire – because I know first-hand the incredible difference they can make.
Trust House Lancashire is a charity that gives everything it was created to provide – support for victims, not for the volunteers or administration team. It’s a place where survivors can find a path forward, no matter how dark the road ahead may seem. It recently transpired the charity that offers support to any individual who is a victim and survivor of sexual abuse, sexual violence, or rape may have to close, if they do not raise £300,000 by 30th September 2025.
As a former client, I have no doubt that my recovery would not have been possible without the compassionate and professional care I received. Trust House Lancashire gave me a safe space where I was able to process all the emotions I was experiencing. I suffered a traumatic brain injury from the assault which caused a coma-related disability. A vegetative state of consciousness and unconsciousness. I was a victim, – a victim who, ironically, was then made homeless. I lost my children, my writing career, and the very essence of who I was as a woman.
My counsellors at Trust House Lancashire helped me to never give up and to find the way out of a place many thought I would never return from. I’ve reclaimed a career that was lost to me 32 years ago, and I breathe today with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that I am not defined by what happened to me, but by how I rose above it.
If you wish to donate directly to Trust House Crowdfunder appeal. Please use the button below.
If you need to contact Trust House Lancashire. Please use the button below.
What’s Next For MiteVerse?
The MITEVERSE Universe consists of six Mite concepts. The launch of The Snowmites [created by Zandeer, the Beautiful Spirit of Children, after she discovers a missing piece of the Mysterious Crystal on a deserted Island of Ice].
The Animites [2026].
Zelpha, the Protecting Spirit of Animals discovers another of the missing pieces of the Mysterious Crystal in a vast jungle. She creates the Animites, – roaming the leafy jungles and open plains, her fierce heart watches over the wilds of the land. The Animites are cute animal warriors whose adventures will take you on a mystical journey exploring the amazing wilderness.
The SeaMites [2027].
Zeprus, the Noble Spirit of the Oceans discovers another of the missing pieces of the Mysterious Crystal at the bottom of the ocean. He creates the Seamites and a magical underwater world. The Seamites are adorable fairy Water Babies whose adventures will take you on a magical journey exploring their incredible underwater world.
