Debut novelist Colleen storms the charts

DON'T Stop Me Now is the title of author Colleen Coleman's debut chick-lit novel. And with over 20,000 copies sold since its release in March, it looks like there's no stopping this exciting new talent.

The Irish-Canadian novelist, who has very strong Mayo links, spent over 10 years working as a teacher of English and philosophy before taking the plunge with her writing career.

It was a good decision, with publishers Bookouture signing Colleen for two novels. The book is available on Amazon.

Born in Toronto, Colleen, daughter of Betty and Lorcan Cribben, grew up in Swinford where the family ran The Maple Leaf Bar and Restaurant.

She attended primary school in Swinford and later Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris, where she was always encouraged in creative writing.

She says of working in the family business: 'Being surrounded by such a constant and diverse stream of people and their conversations, whether they were tipsy or sober, tourists or locals, after happy or sad milestones such as weddings or funerals, gave me a very special insight into the drama and dialogue of ordinary life. This insight certainly fuelled fascination with storytelling and real-life characters that I have tried to nurture all my life, especially in my writing.'

Colleen's teaching career has been global, from Qatar to London, Germany and Cyprus, where she now lives with husband Julien and twin daughters Elizabeth and Sadie.

She was the winner of the much-coveted Novelicious Undiscovered People’s Choice Award which launched to find the next ‘chick-lit star’.

Her debut novel is now storming through the charts and is currently a best seller in the US, UK and Germany.

Compared to the life of Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella, Colleen says: 'As a debut Irish writer to pass out the likes of J.K. Rowling and Lianna Moriarty is the stuff of absolute dreams.'

Don't Stop Me Now is a hilarious feel good read about finding your feet when life pulls the rug out from under you.

Poppy Bloom planned to finish her PhD and walk straight into a job at her university.

But here she is, unemployed, unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, and living back at her mum’s in her vampire-themed childhood bedroom. Not exactly what she was hoping for.

But when Poppy sets her mind to something, nothing can stand in her way. She scores herself an internship at the hottest radio station in town, joins a netball team, and renews her friendship with her oldest friend Leanne. Spending time with Leanne’s gorgeous twin Tom is just a bonus.

But life has a way of tripping you up when you least expect it, and Poppy soon has to decide where her priorities lie.

A local launch of her book in Castlebar is planned when Colleen is home this summer.