Wednesday, June 27, 2012


Results of Saga Life Story Competition


The winner was announced in the July Issue of Saga – out today.  She is Iris Jones Simantel and her book ‘Far from the East End’ is already published and available from July 19th.  It is the true story of a former evacuee from the East End.


The two runners-up are Patricia Crayton who was one of the first female members of the police force, and myself.


"Our two runners-up each win a £100 and the glory of beating some 5,000 submissions to the podium.
Penguin hopes that these life stories will also find their way into print in due course.

Pat Mackay fell in love as a young nurse but was jilted by her boy friend without explanation.  Left heartbroken she picked herself up and began a roller coaster of a life, nursing children during the Forties, being a top photographic model in the Fifties and starting her own business in the Sixties.  Then after 30 years of no contact, she and her first love were reunited and they have been happily married for 32 years."

Penguin editor's comment:
"Books about nurses’ experiences are immensely popular, but Pat's was the story of a fascinating life on top.
To have rediscovered her 'true love 'was remarkable and testament to the saying that life can often be stranger than fiction'.



Congratulations to Iris and Patricia and I hope that both Patricia and I will see our life stories in print in the not too distant future.


Finally thank you once more Daphne http://daphnewaynebough.blogspot/
for making me enter the competition

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Way to go, Mum2!! xxx

Ooh, first!

kenju said...

Pat, when/where can we read your submission in full?

angryparsnip said...

I have tears in my eyes reading this.
I am so happy and excited for you.

Ever since I stated reading your blog and bits and pieces of your life was revealed, I too have thought what an interesting life.
I do hope your book gets published.

A big YeeHaw from Tucson !

cheers, parsnip

Ponita in Real Life said...

Congratulations on being a runner up! That's no mean feat to beat out 5000 other writers, Pat. You should be immensely proud!

PixieMum said...

Saw this in our copy of Saga magazine, arrived this morning. Started to read the article, then realised I 'knew' you, and we have 'spoken', indeed you told us about the competition result.

May I add my congratulations, I look forward to reading your work when it is published. Don't forget to remind Penguin that a biography needs a good index.

So pleased for you, Madeleine.

Rog said...

Gosh - runner up out of 5,000!

You must be overjoyed! Well done Pat!

Where can we see the story?

Eryl said...

Squeak! This has to be about the best news ever: your book will be published! Well done you, X

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh How WONDERFUL Pat! CONGRATULATIONS, my dear...To be in the top three out of 5000....WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!

And I bet your Memoir WILL be in print sooner than later....!
I'm so happy for you, dear Pat!

Ms Scarlet said...

Bloody well done, Pat!!! Looking forward to seeing you I print.... and after that, a series on the BBC! Well it happened for Call the Midwife, just saying!
Sxxxx

Pat said...

Judy: I wish I knew.

Parsnip: don't be sad - I'm lucky to have got this far and hopeful it will go further. Thank you.xox

Ponita: proud and lucky. Thank you:)

PixieMum: thnk you and I couldn't agree more about an index. I would like one in every bookai read or at least a cast list.

Rog: thank you and that is the burning question. I am in the hands of the commissioning editor who is going to meet me soon for a chat.

Eryl: thank you -your faith is touching:)

Naomi: thank you. I so hope you are right.
t

The Unbearable Banishment said...

Look at you. Lovely. Let me be the first to put in my request for a signed first edition.

Pat said...

UB: how could I refuse?

mapstew said...

I can't wait to tell folk "I know that Pat!"

I too would like to request a signed first edition. :¬)

xxx

lom said...

Well done, I now know someone famous!

Pat said...

Map: this is too dangerous - tempting fate - before the event. I'm too superstitious. I blame my Gran:)

Pat said...

John: you've been lurking in the spam bin again:)

Granny Annie said...

Only a hop, skip and jump away. What an amazing and accomplished feat. Congratulations.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: ever the optomist:) Thank you.
Lom: how exciting. Who?

GYPSYWOMAN said...

again, "congratulations" just too blase' for such an accomplishment - many heartfelt bestest wishes, pat - leader of the "pat pack"! ;)

Mage said...

This is just the greatest thing. Bravo!

Pat said...

Scarlet: I missed you. And a film maybe:)

Gypsy: heartfelt bestest wishes are just the job:)

Mage: I am bowing. Humbly:)

Anonymous said...

Congrats Pat! Fame at last. Ooops, sorry, you are already famous. As lom says, I 'know' somebody famous.

I can't wait to meet you in person at the book-signing in Waterstones, or wherever. . .

As to finding John in the spam box, where better to find him?

Pat said...

Keith; thsnks - you must wear your kilt:)
You two!!!

rashbre said...

Brilliant news !! Well done ! Looking forward to the next stages!

Pat said...

Rashbre: me too:) This is the worrying part.

LL Cool Joe said...

How did I miss this post!! Well done that is an incredible achievement! What a star you are. :)

Pat said...

Joey: many thanks:)

Nea said...

Congratulations, Pat! Hope to see it in print soon. Would you sign my copy too, pretty please, even if I've been a terrible blogger so far this year?

I've just spent a good morning catching up... congratulations to Tom as well, even if they are a little late.

xxx

Pat said...

Nea: thank you on behalf of me and Tom for congratulations. I realise you have been very busy but hear snippets from the senior side of the family.
I'm not even going to think of signed copies - it is just tampting fate too much and I'm nothing if not superstitious.
Hope you have a good summer.xox