A Margate mum-of-three who started writing a children’s tale after being made redundant has published her first book – with more on the way.
Margot the Mermaid from Margate, a tale aimed at four to nine year olds, has been published by Beth Cookson through Mabel and Stanley Publishing and has received a five star rating on Amazon.
Beth was working as a copywriter when she was made redundant from her job of 16 years in 2023.
The 45-year-old said: “I was at home with the three children and thinking about what I could do. I couldn’t go for a 9-5 (job) because I had to do the school runs, so I had time on my hands.
“My last project at my job was a small story book about covid and the client absolutely loved it. It was in prose and the client and team sung my praises and I thought I had a bit of a knack for it.
“That gave me fresh inspiration, maybe I could write a book.”
Beth says Margate was the obvious choice for the tale to be set: “My family is from Margate, my great-grandmother had a guesthouse opposite the Lido, my great-grandfather was a floor manager at the Lido, my nan grew up here, I was born here, so we have long roots in Margate.”
Beth, who studied at Manchester University but then returned to Thanet, says the idea for her main character was sparked by the debut Mermaid Parade in Margate which she and one of her twin daughters attended.
She said: “I started writing and bashed it out in three days. I loved writing it, it came really naturally. But then life happened, I put it off while I started my own copywriting business (Lovely English Ltd) and then my dad passed away.”
However, this year Beth met Karen Stanley of Mabel and Stanley Publishing during a business networking meeting and Margot the Mermaid came to the surface once more.
After Karen declared the tale “certainly had legs” Beth was teamed with Ramsgate illustrator Emily Lucas.
Beth said: “Emily did an unbelievable job bringing my vision of Margot to life. She is so talented.”
Margot the Mermaid is a rhyming tale of adventure but also incorporates a message of social responsibility for keeping our beaches clean. Margate landmarks also feature, including the Shell Lady.
Beth says she hopes it is a tale parents will enjoy reading to younger children, while a glossary at the back to explain some of the words helps older children read on their own.
Beth, who credits her former Dane Court English teacher Mr Hudd for her love of the written word, says support from Karen Stanley, family, friends, the community and even complete strangers, has helped her along her ‘exciting journey.’
She is currently promoting the book, which was published on October 7, with readings at some isle schools and arranging for gift and book shops in Margate and Broadstairs to stock the title.
But that is not the end of Margot’s adventures – Beth plans to write a series.
She said: “I am hoping to do a bit of a series. I have got ideas for it and a plan for the next one. From the feedback I’ve had I think there is an appetite for it.”
Find Margot the Mermaid in Margate on Amazon here
Find out more about Beth and her writing on Instagram @bethcooksonwrites
Utterly charming, would make a good TV animation. Good luck Beth.