The BBC reports that 82-year-old teacher Myrrha Stanford-Smith has landed a three-book deal after writing her first novel. The trilogy is a fictional account of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe's rivalry. Myrrha told the BBC that she was really expecting to be rejected.
"I'd been waiting for the manuscript to be sent back really, rejected. It was such a wonderful surprise," she added.
The Great Lie features 16-year-old Nick, the son of the late first Earl of Rikesby, who runs away with a troupe of travelling players who take him to London, where he comes to Marlowe's attention.
Honno will be the publisher of Myrrha Stanford-Smith's trilogy. You can find details about the first book in the series here.
The BBC 