Publishing Stories to Fight Cancer

August 28, 2025

Some people say illness takes away your energy, your focus, your drive. But for me, the opposite has been true.

I was diagnosed with Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer that, at one point, had invaded 80% of my body. I was so ill, I couldn't walk a few steps without becoming breathless and needing to stop. My Oncologist said that at my age, I was lucky to be alive. Luck had nothing to do with my survival, it was a pure bloody-minded determination to survive that gave me a second chance.

I still live with diabetes and a heart condition, and by all accounts, those should have slowed me down. But instead, they sharpened my purpose. Since COVID, when I wrote The Brittle Sea, my passion for storytelling has only deepened.

I am 71 in January, with 11 published novels behind me and, believe it or not, 21 more waiting to be written. My head is still brimming with ideas, and my love of writing burns as bright as ever.

But there’s something bigger than just me and my books.

Brittle Media Ltd: The Vision
Out of my writing journey has come a new dream: Brittle Media Ltd., a digital publishing house built not only to safeguard my legacy, but also to become a home for new voices.

For years, I’ve done it all, writing, editing, designing, publishing, and marketing, all on my own. But my writing time is precious these days. I realise time is moving on. I want to focus on storytelling while giving something back to the creative community. That’s where Brittle Media comes in.

Brittle Media will:

Publish my remaining works with the professional polish they deserve.
Mentor and support young and talented writers, designers, editors, and marketers, helping them hone their craft.
Offer a platform where indie authors can thrive, retaining their rights while gaining the professional support they need.

This isn’t just about me finishing my books, it’s about building a legacy of opportunity for the next generation of storytellers. And there is another side to Brittle Media that matters deeply to me.

Fighting Cancer, One Page at a Time
From every book we publish, the profit we earn will carry a 10% donation to cancer charities. Cancer research and support have never been more vital, and I want my words to contribute not just to readers’ imaginations, but also to real-world healing.

So when you support Brittle Media, you’re not just supporting stories, you’re helping fight cancer.

Why This Matters
Stories can outlive their authors. They can inspire, comfort, and challenge people long after the pen has been set down. With your help, my books will not only be completed and shared, but Brittle Media will continue to nurture new voices and give something back to those battling cancer.

This is more than publishing. It’s a movement, to prove that creativity doesn’t end with illness, that passion can grow stronger in adversity, and that words can change lives.

I invite you to join me in this journey. Let’s finish these stories, build a publishing house that uplifts new talent, and ensure that every page written also fights cancer.

Learn more and support the campaign: GoFundMe Link