FROM OBSCURITY TO BEST SELLING AUTHOR The author of a number of books, one a Sunday Times No. 4 Bestseller, Mel Menzies is also an experienced Speaker, and has addressed live audiences of between 20 and 1,500+ in addition to participating in TV and Radio chat shows, leading Family Forums, Marriage Enrichment, and Writers' Workshops.

. . AND BACK AGAIN! That’s the by-line. So who is Mel Menzies (Ming-iss not Men-zees)? And how come you’ve never heard of her? And why, with a No. 4 Best Seller under her belt, is she expending her energies in writing to give the profits from some of her books to charity. The short answer is that I'm probably too flabby to run marathons and too flappy (i.e. scared) to do sky-dives. 🙂 The long answer begins back in my childhood.

Quite simply, I didn't fit in with my family! Lacking the sporting and social skills of my mother, and the academic prowess of my father (he passed the MENSA exam at the age of 80) I failed to live up to expectation. With the additional complication of hidden health issues, I found it easier to disappear to my bedroom, where books were my solace. Reading and writing proved to be more rewarding than living up to my nomenclature of the 'naughty girl'.

With my first rejection slip at the age of 14 (from Argosy, home of H.E.Bates highly acclaimed 'The Darling Buds of May') I found that writing about my experiences, and the lessons learned therewith, was not only cathartic, but brought about a number of publications. Plus a huge following worldwide! Commissions followed from other major publishers but, sadly, I eventually had to take other employment when my husband's business was at risk during the 1990s recession in the UK.

Following retirement, I began writing fiction, and the first of the Evie Adams series, Time to Shine - whereby a counsellor solves the mystery rather than a detective - was a No 1 Bestseller in its category on Amazon. My latest book, to be published in November, 2018, tells more of the story of my life, with reflections on lessons learned, and questions for the reader to assess their own life. Subtitled: Feeling Useless Or Unheard? Don't! You're . . . and a full title: PICKED FOR A PURPOSE, all proceeds from sales are dedicated to The Prince's Trust, Prince Charles' charity which helps young people to fulfill their potential. Meanwhile, I blog regularly on a number of issues. Click on the tab Mels Muse on my website to see all topics. Dealing with physical and mental health issues, this book seeks to show how they may be overcome. Born with a painful, undiagnosed condition, my parents were told I was a naughty, attention seeking child, and to leave me to cry. Poor body image and lack of self-confidence led to an abusive marriage, divorce, my daughter's drug addiction and gang culture, and her ultimate death. But with God's help, I learned how to be fruitful and achieve a sense of worth. ALL PROCEEDS FROM SALES ARE FOR THE PRINCE'S TRUST - A CHARITY SET UP BY PRINCE CHARLES TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE. PLEASE BUY A COPY AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BOOK LAUNCH - Date TBA The reflections and challenging questions at the end of each chapter, encourage the reader to focus the mind and find answers unique to themselves. A compelling read. Marjorie Broadhead, Headmistress retd.