ASPIRING author Donna Marie McCarthy is on a mission to get her debut novel published.

Donna, 44, from West Totton, has given up her work in administration to focus all her efforts on promoting her book , ‘The Hangman’s Hitch’.

The book is described as “a horrific tale of a man’s destruction” and “the unforgiving humour of a very enigmatic Devil.”

A keen writer, Donna has signed a temporary contract with publishers ‘Britain’s Next Best Seller’ who are promoting the book online through a crowd funding project.

This expires in three months. She needs to achieve a set target of 250 pre-orders to get the book published and be fully contracted.

The pre-orders do not have to be honoured until she is retained. If she fails to reach the set goal her book will go unpublished.

Here is a summary of the book: ‘After refusing to stand up in a duel, Frederick finds himself so far from God that the hand of the Devil seems almost Heaven sent.

Guided by the Devil, Mr Black, to the Inn The Hangman’s Hitch he soon assimilates and adapts and when he slips from bad man to evil is with such stealth that he can only regret, never be redeemed.

Murder, manipulation even cannibalism are fodder for the patrons of this Inn and so as not to distinguish himself amongst them Frederick partakes and is soon so embroiled that even escape by death seems impossible.

A little romance in the form of the unfortunate maid Mary makes this sometimes gruelling tale seem prophetic and the sardonic humour of our Devil Black is unfortunately intoxicating.

A return to favour in society is offered, the terms of which applied persuasively by Black and for the end of this tale to be pleasingly traumatic and dramatic for a Devil’s very peculiar palate’.

Having six elder brothers, and no sisters, Donna says she grew up “more at home knee-deep in rivers than with Barbie” and at school “learned textbook lessons about good and bad,” and was “often in trouble for finding the Devil more exciting than I should!

She adds: “It sounds like a cliche but it’s a story about all the people I’ve met in 44 years.

“It’s about frailty and about comedy. It’s very chilling but quite funny.”

The book took 18 months to write but also involved extensive reading and study of religions Buddhism to Spiritualism and witchcraft.

Donna says she does not practise any religion but enjoys the fact they are full of wonderful stories.

See more at: britains nextbestseller.co.uk/index.php/book/index/ TheHangmansHitch280#sth ash.77PRuF4a.dpuf