Emma Greyling

I didn't think that I could write a children's novel. However a few years ago I came in contact with a charity called the Kerry Greyhound Connection. It was a small charity run by two sisters one of whom lived in Cromer on the East coast of England and the other who lived in Ireland.

Both the women had jobs and families but nevertheless they decided to save Irish greyhounds from the bullet. Every second weekend the dogs were brought over from Ireland to England. For those who don't know the logistics - across Ireland to the ferry across the Irish Sea through Wales to the far East Coast of England.

I was amazed that two busy women could even dream up such a project. But they did! Last year they homed about one hundred and fifty dogs! A small proportion of the dogs that are discarded every year but a huge achievemnet.

I wanted to help them but I am registered as a blind person and I don't have much physical strength.

After adopting a beautiful girl dog called "Misty" from Kerry Greyhounds- we later changed her name, I hit upon the idea of writing books so that I could, I hoped, provide funds for the charity in the medium term.

I couldn't have succeeded without "Misty" and without the uplifting affect of the enormous task that the sisters had set for themselves.

Once the writing was finished I set about finding an agent. I couldn't believe it when a good agent contacted me. Despite his efforts I was turned down my the big publishing houses as I had no profile.

Authorhouse published the paperback version of the Mystical Life of the Dog with Three Legs in summer 2010. This book is now available on Kindle.

To learn more about the work of Kerry greyhounds see www.kerrygreyhounds.co.uk

Since Misty's death I have 'adopted' two further charities:

The Retired Greyhound Trust (GB)

and,

The Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

The RGT is a National Charity which seeks to rehome dogs who have finished their racing careers.

The RGT has close links with the greyhound racing industry and can, through the provision of temporary kennelling and veterinary treatment, eventually settle many hounds in their forever homes.

To learn more about the work of the RGT contact www. retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

The Hillside Animal Sanctuary is based in the East of England. It rescues all kinds of animals and birds and at the moment has over one thousand animals/birds in its care. The Sanctuary also undertakes high profile investigations into the plight of farm animals especially those who are intensively reared in factory farms.

The Sanctuary work is outlined on their Internet page - Hillside Animal Sanctuary or you can email - contact@hillside.org.uk

I am continuing to write books for children. My next publication is Book 1 (of 4 collections)of stories. Book 1 is schedulled for publication in August 2011. Book 2 will follow on shortly.

I enjoy writing even though it is very hard work. My collections of stories are illustrated - I had to undertake the illustrations myself as I had no money with which to engage an illustrator. I have a small amount of sight in one eye which enables me to illustrate each story but to be honest I am amazed that I've been able to illustrate as I have no 'arts' background. I'm proud of myself!! And I'm proud of all those who give their lives over to the welfare of animals!!

These are early days but I hope that my writing reaps funds with which to help the three organisations!

My books: (Summer 2013)

The Mystical Life of the Dog with Three Legs

The Giant Stories Books One and Two.

The Scary Giant Stories

The Giant Stories Picture Activity Book

These story collections are illustrated