A Sidmouth author’s dream to write a best-seller could come true later this month as her debut psychological suspense novel hits the shelves.

Jane Corry is set to release My Husband’s Wife on Thursday, August 25, with pre-order sales and Kindle purchases of 30,000 pointing towards a successful first venture for the writer.

The book, which is to be published by Penguin, is also tipped to be the ‘thriller of the summer’, with critics praising the domestic noir and psychological-thriller.

Jane said: “It’s very exciting, although it is quite strange for a writer when your book is published.

“The most real part is that process when you’re actually writing, alone at your desk. It’s your story then and your own little world. But when it’s out there and everybody is reading it, it feels rather surreal in a wonderful way.”

Certain aspects of the novel are drawn from Jane’s experience of working in a high-security men’s prison.

As writer-in-residence, Jane witnessed the strain on relationships, and tried to help the inmates with an initiative called Storybook Dads – where the men wrote stories, using the name of their children, to be read out at bedtime.

The mother-of-three said: “The book is not just about jail. It’s also about marriage and the relationships between first and second wives. However, I couldn’t have written it without working in a prison. ”

From a young age, Jane was hoping to achieve three things: to write, have children and to live by the sea. Following a successful career in journalism, the author moved to Sidmouth seven years ago with her second husband.

“It really inspired me as a writer - the sea is a very big part of my life. It is a character itself,” said Jane. “My grandfather was a sailor and I think it’s in my blood.”

The Sidmouth resident also runs a series of workshops for unpublished writers and is a life-story judge for the national Koestler awards, which are open to prisoners and those in secure units.

Jane will be talking about her book – and giving writing tips - at Winstone’s in Sidmouth on Tuesday, August 30, starting at 6.30pm.

She will launch her book at Sidmouth Library on Tuesday, September 6, during a cream tea, starting at 2.30pm. Copies of the book, which is published by Penguin, will be available. The event will be in aid of the library.

In September and October, Jane will be attending festivals in Appledore, Exeter and Norwich to promote her book.

She is currently working on her next novel for Penguin, Blood Sisters, which will be released next year.

For details of her workshops, email Jane at janecorryauthor@gmail.com