An 18-year-old star author says she just wants more “mental things” to happen after announcing she is putting her education on hold to pursue her writing dream.

Lilly Say, of Woodford Green, has just written her second book Always Believe after publishing her debut novel Sugar and spice and all things nice (SASAATN), which led to her being nominated for the People’s Book Prize.

He second literary effort, a Christmas tale - released in October - depicts the adventures of Lilly and her three younger sisters when they visit their aunt’s house.

She said: “I am enjoying writing too much at the minute so I am not going to university this year.

“I am excited about the release of my second book because obviously with the first book I did not know what was going to happen afterwards, now I have got another one coming out - I hope more mental things are going to happen.”

Miss Say was invited as a VIP guest to the Isle of Wight music festival by organiser John Giddings earlier this year.

Later this month, she will return to the Isle of Wight to appear at the literary festival to give a lecture on her new book.

She admitted she is “scared” at the prospect of standing up in front of her book fans.

“I have never spoken publicly to a group of adults,” she added.

Miss Say made national news when it was discovered the author “Hilda Poppitt” was really a 17-year-old schoolgirl called Lilly.

Her publishers initially decided to use a pseudonym to allow Miss Say to focus on her A-levels.

- Always Believe will be available in digital and paperback from October 17 and will be launched at The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, starting on October 16.

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