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Hodder & Stoughton is publishing Anna Jacobs’ A Valley Wedding, her 100th novel since writing her debut aged 51 just over 30 years ago.
Jacobs’ historical novels have been published by Hodder & Stoughton since 1993, since which year it has published 47 of her 100 novels, and the publisher is working with The Reading Agency to mark the milestone.
The final book in the Backshaw Moss series, out today (26th May), is described as “a delightful story” of falling in love at an older age, following the entwined stories of Gwynneth Harte, a feisty widow in her sixties who is forced to move in with one of her grown-up sons when her house is damaged in a fire, and Arthur Chapman, who inherits the neighbouring house from a distant relative, and is determined to rebuild his life. Gwynneth thought she’d left romance behind after the loss of her husband – but when she and Arthur are thrown together to save his granddaughter, they find themselves growing very close.
The novel is the culmination of the 14 books set in Ellindale, though Jacobs also writes modern family stories that are published by Allison & Busby.
“I’m a bit bemused as well as thrilled to have my 100th novel published,” Jacobs said. “It took me 10 years to get my first one accepted by a publisher and I thought maybe I’d manage to get 10 more published before I was through. Practice might not make perfect but it certainly teaches you a lot. I now have enough stories to keep me going until I’m 120 at least.
“Storytelling is a ‘doing it’ activity. An athlete couldn’t get someone else to train for them and it’s the same with writing. You have to learn to do it well, and to keep doing it. And you have to learn to do it your own special way, because your individual ‘voice’ is what is important to the reader.”
According to the publisher, Jacobs’ books are the fifth most borrowed adult fiction in British libraries and those published with Hodder have sold more than 4.35 million copies across all formats.
Olivia Barber, commissioning editor at Hodder, said: “We receive messages from so many readers about how much Anna’s books mean to them, and the joy they bring – her moving, heartwarming stories about determined women triumphing against their circumstances are the tonic we all need.
“Working with the Reading Agency, we are offering libraries and book groups around the country beautiful celebratory bunting for displays, plus the chance to win afternoon tea kits, to celebrate Anna Jacobs all summer long. One hundred novels is an extraordinary achievement for an author, and Hodder is so proud to be part of Anna’s publishing success story.”