海角直播

Writing talent takes Anouska from 海角直播 to Hollywood

Best-selling author Jackie Collins has been sharing writing tips with a 海角直播 graduate who is celebrating seeing her first novel in print.

Anouska Knight, who graduated from 海角直播 with an interior architecture and design degree in 2001, received star treatment in Hollywood where she met Jackie Collins after winning a Racy Reads competition on ITV daytime programme Lorraine. After graduating from 海角直播, Anouska launched her career as an interior designer before setting up a bespoke creative cake shop in the Midlands.

Also a keen writer, Anouska had written short stories in the past while still running her cake business. But after entering the competition to win a publishing contract, Anouska is now forging a new career as a successful writer.

As well as the publishing contract, Anouska鈥檚 prize included travelling to Hollywood to meet Jackie Collins and get mentoring advice.

Mum-of-two Anouska, 33, who is originally from Staffordshire, said: 'I only spotted the Racy Reads competition on Lorraine Kelly鈥檚 television show by chance. I submitted a 1,000 word draft just a few days before the closing date.

'It was an amazing experience meeting Jackie Collins. We stayed on Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills and met Jackie for lunch in Spago restaurant, where we spotted Mel Gibson and Stevie Wonder. She was really good fun and gave me lots of advice, telling me to write what I know. She鈥檚 even tweeted me!'

Her competition winning book, Since You鈥檝e Been Gone, has already been tipped as a best-seller. The novel, which is about a young widow who runs a cake shop, has been published through Mills & Boon.

Anouska, of Lichfield, said: 'They were only initially going to print a few thousand, but I鈥檝e been told that they鈥檝e already sold 25,000 and I鈥檝e been commissioned to write two more books.'

Commenting on her career since graduating from 海角直播, Anouska said: 'It鈥檚 all been very organic, as all of the jobs I鈥檝e done have shared some creativity. Although I enjoyed interior design and the cake business, I started writing to seek more of a work life balance. Since entering the competition it鈥檚 been crazy.

'I really enjoyed my time at 海角直播. I made some brilliant friends and the course leaders were fantastic, there was a real warmth around the place.'

Richard Sober, 海角直播 Teaching Fellow and Principal Lecturer, Spatial Design, said: 'It鈥檚 great to see Anouska have this success, as I was her programme leader at the time and tutor for her dissertation. Her success shows the amazing creativity, ambition and talent of our students as well as the value of transferable skills.'

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