I was asked recently by an aspiring author if I’d made a lot of money writing books. Not a fortune, I said, at least not yet!

I pointed out that if you’re looking to join the ranks of J.K. Rowling and others who have made millions from their books, you’re likely to be disappointed. They are, perhaps, in the less than 3-4% bracket, with others at the other end of the scale earning literally zero.

However, there are many writers who do make a decent income from writing; and the one thing I’ve found is that they all have in common a passion for reading and writing. And there is something else: A need to tell their story to an appreciative audience.

It’s a good feeling when people step up and tell you how much they enjoyed your book.

One memorable occasion for me, totally unexpected and shortly after Timecrack was published, was when I discovered that a class of school children had used the book as an end of term project. They’d spent a month on drawings and art work that were later displayed in the local library.

I was then asked to give a talk to the class and amazed at the penetrating questions they put to me over the next two hours on science and fantasy within the concept of parallel worlds.

I have to admit, I was delighted with the interest they had shown in the book, and the reception they gave me. And that’s something money can’t buy.

W.L.