A 42-year-old author from Birchwood has self-published her first book, which ‘pushes 50 Shades of Grey to the limit’.

Joanne Keele is the pen name of a 42-year-old author from Birchwood who has just self-published her first book.

At just nine, Joanne picked up her pen for the first time and found a passion for writing.

It was only when chronic illness meant she couldn’t continue working that the 42-year-old decided to start writing again – and just couldn’t stop.

Although she didn’t set out to write a book, Joanne ended up creating her first novel called Dreams.

“I just got carried away with it,” she said.

“You get roped in yourself in the world as you’re writing. It’s quite amazing.

“I had notes all over the place of all the different things I wanted included in the book and then my journey was trying to find a way to blend them so they flow smoothly.”

Dreams follows the main character, Lorraine, as she finds herself embroiled in a world of crime, blood and fear.

But the sticky situation also opens a world of humour and true love, with an over-18-only edge.

“It brings on a chain of events that, not only did she not see coming but it led down some very strange plot twists and turns,” said Joanne.

“Everything from the mafia underworld to some erotic scenes, which is where I kind of pushed 50 Shades [of Grey] to the absolute limit.”

Dreams was originally going to be a standalone book, but Joanne found the story flowed out of her at such speed that only a series could do it justice.

“It got to a point where I thought I need to stop this bit here, as strange as it is, and continue on in the next one,” she said.

“It just seems to be flowing really smoothly which is very strange.”

Joanne has now finished writing the first book, edited by her husband, and used AI to create the cover art.

“Writing was actually a piece of cake compared to setting up self-publishing,” she said.

“It took about three weeks to make the cover, and I even had to start all over again.

“It is a very long process.”

Joanne now hopes to continue the series, which will consist of four books and has even considered writing some spin-offs.

Dreams can now be bought on Amazon in paperback and hardback copies, and is also available for free on Kindle Unlimited, and will be available as an E-Book.