In 2020 I took it into my head to do an MA in Novel Writing by distance learning. I had just completed an MA in Translation (French to English) earlier that year and had been inspired by the subject of my dissertation, a section of Aux frontières de l’espoir, an autobiographical account of the exploits of a French-born Jew who helped hundreds of Jewish children escape to Switzerland during the Second World War. When Georges Loinger's book was published in 2006 (in French), he had already reached the impressive age of 96. His death in December 2018 coincided with my search for a suitable text to translate into English. With the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019 on the horizon at that time, his amazing memoirs seemed a great choice.

It was thus entirely logical that An Inessential Liaison, my first full-length novel, would be a work of historical fiction. It is now finished, and I have chosen to self-publish. The book is set in Normandy in the Second World War and required me to undertake in-depth research, which I loved, even if sometimes it became rather too fascinating and absorbing.

I have tried to ensure that no factual errors or inconsistencies have crept into the book. As one small example, I narrowly avoided Félix smoking Disque Bleu as his cigarette of choice: careful checking confirmed the brand was not marketed until 1954. Such pitfalls lurk to ensnare the writer, to the inevitable glee of any eagle-eyed reader who spots them!

A linked novel is to follow, whose events will be set during the French student revolt of 1968.

Wearing another hat, I have worked for many years as a freelance editor on a wide range of subjects. I am a member of the Society of Authors, the Alliance of Independent Authors, Jericho Writers and the Institute of Translators and Interpreters.

All of these endeavours matter not a jot to our dog, a far-too-clever wire-haired Hungarian Vizsla who has no hesitation in letting me know when it's time for her walk...