THE FACTS – Born in South Africa, I have spent most of my life in Africa, apart from six years in the south of England, spent mainly in Hampshire and London. Married with three sons and two daughters, my career in journalism, spanned 30 years. Of course I have attempted to write a book but am so accustomed to editing copy that it is difficult to complete even one chapter before the 'super critic' clicks in - and I abandon the project.

MAIN OBJECTIVE – To find a literary agent who is prepared to to devote his/her entire life to cajoling and threatening me. I work best under pressure - with deadlines.

EXPERIENCE - Joined Odhams Press in Salisbury (now Harare, Zimbabwe) as a cadet journalist – initially on Rhodesian Woman and Home. Subsequently moved onto various trade journals dealing with subjects ranging from tobacco, farming, motoring and building to mining and bottle stores. Odhams was taken over by Thomson Newspapers and I remained there for approximately two years. About ten years later I rejoined them as editor of the Rhodesian Tobacco Journal and editor of Motor Trader. Once again two years was enough and when I rejoined this organisation for the third time,in November, 1987, it was as editor –in- chief of all their publications and editor of CZI . This was the official mouthpiece of the Confederation of Zimbabwean Industries. As a Thomson editor one was expected to report, write, edit and layout one’s publication - plus fight with the printers. Once a year (after the annual congress) CZI ran to 124 pages which was quite something to produce single-handed. In between I worked for J. Walter Thompson in their public relations department, was Press Liaison Officer for Rhodesian Breweries, and editorial assistant and feature writer on the Rhodesian YOU, Tourama, and Radio Times. I reported from Parliament for IANA and was night 'sub' on the national daily, The Herald, for three years. Still with the Herald I became racing editor, which wasn’t as extraordinary as it might seem as my husband trained racehorses. This was most enjoyable as it also involved a weekly column called Talk of the Turf - where I was able to denounce jockeys, trainers, racing administrators and the Jockey Club on a regular basis. At least the punters loved me!