A Bermondsey woman, 28, who has worked as a dental nurse for ten years but ‘always dreamed of being an author,’ has released her first book.
Burden and Beyond is a sci-fi novel about a university student who has recurring nightmares about impending doom coming her way.
Author Sophie Irish, who has lived in Bermondsey her whole life, said the book took ten years to finish. “I struggled to find the time as I work a lot,” she told us, explaining that her full-time work has had to come first.
Despite this, she said writing is what she’s always wanted to do: “At school, I used to write short horror stories at break times. It’s like an escape,” she said.
“It was always my hobby but now I’m trying to make it a career.”
After leaving school at the City of London Academy, Sophie said she became a dental nurse so writing had to take a backseat.
“At the time I really wanted to help people. But I’ve done this for a while now and I want to follow my passion.
“It’s my dream to become a successful writer. I don’t want to just be one of those authors that not many people have heard of. I want to be important.”
She decided to publish it herself on Amazon in September, commenting that getting a publisher wasn’t really an option at the time.
“I don’t have the money for one,” she continued, “I did send it to one person but they’re quite picky – and I just wanted to get it out there.
Her advice to anyone else wanting to follow their passion: “We grew up extremely poor – don’t let that stop you. I would always say chase your dreams regardless.”
She added that she’s grateful for her two sisters, who are her biggest supporters and a sequel is ‘already in the works.’
Click here to see the book on Amazon.