The curse lives on...

DENE managed to sell 3,000 copies of his debut novel without an agent or celebrity status and is launching his second book this week.

He was overwhelmed by the success of Unlucky Alf, which followed the story of Alf Hart growing up during tumultuous, free-wheeling era of the 60s.

Part-fiction and part-autobiographical author Dene, who openly admits suffering from being dogged by bad luck, is releasing the follow-up, Alf’s Curse, which follows an older Alf and his pals around Europe and America as he battles misfortune and adolescence in equal measure.

Once again, Dene is hoping to help two charities with his book, giving a number of free copies directly to Rotherham Hospice and making a donation to Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice from the sale proceeds.

He said: “I can’t believe how well the first book did. It was a success in the U.S, UK and touched Australia.

“Even Gervase Phinn was impressed by how many I sold without an agent and he has put me in touch with a UK publisher.

“It's been a lot easier the second time round as the doors I had to bang down with the first book are now open.

“For me it’s not about making money and that’s why I'm giving copies to the hospice so they get all the proceeds directly.

“I just hope people enjoy the second story as much as the first.”

Dedicated to bald men, Alf’s Curse is £6.99 and available from: Philip Howard Books, Wickersley, Waterstones, WHSmiths, The Rotherham Hospice and Knit and Stitch, Maltby.