Читать книгу Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey - Mary Long - Страница 5

Three years ago, aiming to fulfil a dream, I began writing the opening chapters to this book. The journey leading to the publication of Diamonds Are Forever has been a remarkable one. I owe thanks to several friends and family members for the continued support they have shown me. They know who they are.

Special thanks go to my friends for over fifty years, Joyce and Reon, who are also most devoted fans of Dame Shirley. We have shared so many happy memories together and I treasure our long friendship.

Whilst I had a clear idea from the beginning about what I wanted to write, my knowledge of publishing was limited, so I knew I would need help. Initial advice came from a gentleman at the Waterstones bookshop in Newport, Isle of Wight, to whom I am indebted. He recommended to me the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, where I researched a list of literary agents. One shone out from the rest, Robert Smith Literary Agency. Within days of sending off my submission, to my delight came a reply from Robert. Then we spoke on the phone and it felt as though we had known each other for years. Robert, I thank you so much for believing in me and in Diamonds Are Forever, and for offering to be my literary agent. I certainly could not have chosen better, nor done it without you. My thanks, too, to Robert’s ever friendly and helpful assistant, Gemma Quinn.

Through Robert, I gained a contract with John Blake Publishing. I am extremely grateful to my editor, Toby Buchan and his colleagues for their hard work and the commitment necessary to achieve publication to coincide with Dame Shirley Bassey’s eightieth birthday.

Finally, my love and special thanks to Bernard, husband and photographer, for his photographic contribution to this work.

Thank you all for making my dream come true.

MARY LONG

November 2016