A LYME Regis couple are going to make magic happen.

Tracey and Simon West who run Magic Oxygen publishers are working round the clock to get blind Trish Vickers' book published before she dies.

Despite also trying to organise prize giving for their own literary competition they have also taken on trying to get Trish's 110,000 word book Grannifer's Legacy in print before the 64-year-old from Charmouth dies.

Diabetic Trish went blind at 52 and turned to writing for solace. She finished her novel but she's been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is very poorly, but wants to hold her published book before she dies.

The story touched the hearts of the Wests who have taken on the monumental task of trying to get the book printed in time.

Trish Vickers added: "I'm so grateful to all the people who have rallied around to help, everyone has been incredibly kind. I'm excited it's finally happening, very uplifted too and really looking forward to holding the book, it has been such a long journey."

Trish's friend Trevor Chambers: "As you know, Trish wrote her manuscript on a clipboard with rubber bands marking out the lines. Once the transcript had been typed up by her friend Linda, I would sit with Trish and read the story back to her, which she enjoyed very much. The prospect of turning her idea into a proper paperback has been such a positive thing for Trish to focus on, particularly though her terrible illness and I'm absolutely delighted that it is going to be published. It is a dream come true."

Editor-in-chief Simon said they'd designed a cover incorporating elements from one of the main characters and Trish's favourite colour.

He said: "I sat with her last night and using an A5 piece of paper, I described the picture and traced her fingers over the paper to show her how it was laid out. She seems really happy with it and we are too. I've just got to add a couple of kingfishers to the back of the houseboat and it'll be ready to go.

"One of our lovely editors, Izzy Robertson, kindly proofread the book and put the chapter breaks in. A couple of our authors - children's author Sue Hampton and short story writer Wendy Breckon - read the manuscript and gave us quotes for the back cover. This is being done just as it should be for any author. TrishVickers.co.uk should be up in the next few days and all being well, we should be able to send the book up the wire to the printers fairly soon. We are hoping for an official launch in the next two weeks."

Tracey said:"I know if life had been kinder to Trish and she'd had more time and better health, she would have made such a wonderful noise about her book. She thoroughly enjoyed the process of writing it, despite her limitations and she knows the characters like they are old family friends. Yesterday, we sat together and talked about the missing page in her manuscript and she recalled what was on it almost instantly. Izzy has managed to write what she felt would have been on it, because she knew the story either side of it, but I'm optimistic we'll manage to track down Trish's original words.

"The thing we really want Trish to enjoy, is a proper book launch. She was enormously excited by the prospect, but is just too poorly to go out, so we are going to organise the launch to come to her instead. Trish is such an inspiration and so brave, cancer isn't going to get in the way of this important event!

"She's is determined to celebrate it at a gentle pace and plans to sip fizzy water and to sign a few books. Pre-orders can be placed on magicoxygen.co.uk Her book ISBN has been allocated and very soon, anyone should be able to order a copy from any bookshop, anywhere in the world.

Izzy Robertson said: "From an editor and proofreaders' point of view, it was so exciting to dive into work from a new writer, and from an authors' point of view, I know how amazing it feels to hold your actual book in your hands. Grannifer's Legacy is such a gentle story and it's all about friendship, community and supporting each other and I think that's so important in the times that we live in."

Trish has decided to make donations from the sale of the book to the South West Dorset Talking Newspaper.

THE STORY:

Turn the pages of Grannifer’s Legacy and enjoy a gentle and charming tale of friendship in the welcoming village of Miraford. Jennifer Cade, recently made redundant from a London career and without the boyfriend who has walked out on her, retreats to a quiet village to find tranquillity.

Four months after her dear great-grandmother’s death, she hears of an inherited legacy, which includes a special book written for her which will help to keep the close connection they've always shared.

Alongside two new female friends and TJ, the attractive man who lives on his house-boat ‘Kingfisher’, Jennifer settles into her dream house and a different way of life.

Naturally, there are a few difficulties and surprises along the way.

Will she overcome all the challenges life throws at her?