Marianne Richards Books In Order

Publication Order of The Oxford Aeronaut Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Jane Browne Collections

(Bio written by Marianne – thank you Marianne!)

Marianne Richards MSc. [aka Jane Browne, Dan Vichente]

I’m an English author aged 71, born in industrial Coventry to a dysfunctional family (which I account for my being reclusive and an author). I’ve written since age 10, professionally published at 46 in my field of mental health. After ‘blowing the whistle’ on an NHS bully culture, I developed depression and PTSD. I had to battle toxic systems (like UK Post Office victims), resulting in the loss of my home, a suicide attempt followed by years of campaigning for Justice. Around this time, I was diagnosed with high functioning autism (Asperger Syndrome). This gave me a ‘tribe’ to replace professional contacts who also formed my social circle. I have changed writing direction, themes of ordinary people in difficult situations. Thus, my historical novels/screenplay and a work-in-progress, a satire on English Civil Law. It is good to be recovering my sense of humour!

Writing Historical Fiction

In 2000, I noticed a plaque in Christchurch Meadows, Oxford, honouring James Sadler, a humble Cook in the reign of King George III. An amateur mechanic and would-be Natural Philosopher, Sadler designed, built and flew his own ‘fire balloon.’ Popularly dubbed, ‘King of Ballooning’ for his daring exploits, he died in poverty after a series of setbacks, including rivalries with engineers, Boulton and Watt. Sadler was largely forgotten when I began research. Apart from a website by Oxford Don, ‘Printz George,’ I found a 1920’s biography by J E Hodgson (Royal Aeronautical Society) in the London Science museum. Thereafter I was determined to bring Sadler’s exploits to public attention with a biography.
After years of research, I was informed two researchers were on my tail, with publisher funding. I applied for Arts funding but received a brush-off. But I determined to publish first as a matter of pride. I re-wrote the material I had as a novel, under the non de plume, Jane Browne. I knew from the start that Sadler’s story would make a visually thrilling film. I self-studied screenwriting then wrote a screen version under the nom de plume, Dan Vichente, ‘The King of Ballooning.’ I self-published the novels and screenplay, which gave me huge satisfaction if no sales!

Advice for Budding Authors

Write every day, no matter what the format. Write about things that enthuse you, not what you think people might buy. Write as if you are telling the story to your best friend. Use a tape recorder if you can’t cope with a blank screen. You will learn the craft by doing it, over time, gaining satisfaction in a field with infinite possibilities. Writing entails an equal amount of reading. I spend several hours a day on this pleasurable activity. If you self-publish, always make the best presentation you can. Layout, grammar, spelling, cover design, print format is also the art of writing. This way, you also gain pride and self-respect. The journey is important, the ‘arrival’ subject to fate. Like many, you might become famous after your death!