Published by the Open University. Read the full article here.
“I always dreamed of becoming an author,” says OU graduate Shereen. “But it wasn’t something I realised again until I had taken time off from my banking career.”
Shereen had been working in London’s Canary Wharf when she met her husband and took some time off to raise her family. After her break from banking, Shereen decided to retrain and return to her childhood pursuit of writing.
‘Begin your story and dedicate time to it’
By the time Shereen had handed in her last assignment and completed her degree, she had not only published one novel, but used the chapters she developed for her course to land a publishing contract for a second.
“At the end, I was exhausted but also happy that I had achieved both milestones: being an English Literature graduate and a published author of two novels. I received my contract for my first children’s book, and I am also working on a third novel, which is still in its early days. A key moment happened last year when I hosted an event for new writers at the Leicester Crossroads Festival. I felt as if I came full circle, from dreaming of writing to being in a position to help others start their writing journey. I’m very grateful.”
Shereen Malherbe 