The book's real heroes each have four legs

Whatever happens sales-wise with Paths Not Yet Taken, I’m pretty sure it will always be top of the Amazon rankings for “Novel Where Greyhounds Play A Major Role In The Plot And The Lives Of Many Major Characters” - assuming Amazon has such a ranking.

As in real life, both dogs - Fred and Ginger - spend most of their time eating, sleeping, seeking treats, sleeping, enjoying a fuss, sleeping and farting gently but with lethal force. There’s the occasional walk and short zoomies (obviously), together with demonstrations of impressive learned behaviour - the emphasis being on behaviour; not behaviours. I know it’s a fictional novel, but it’s not a fantasy.

It was only during the second full edit of the draft that I realised how important Fred and Ginger are to the whole book. They are the glue that holds it together.

Their quiet presence provides calm and reassurance when needed. Their feeding and exercise requirements give focus and structure to one character’s otherwise bleak life. They inspire or evoke emotion in others. Dramatic entrances and exits break the tension or make key contributions to the development of the story.

So, that’s when I decided to put them on the front cover.

The illustration of Fred (a black greyhound, because those wonderful dogs need all the rehoming help they can get) was created from several reference images.

Ginger was a bit different. Ginger is actually Molly - a gorgeous, funny, much-loved greyhound who was part of our family for around eight years. She was rescued from a racing trainer who told a dog rescue charity they had 24 hours to pick her up, along with two ex-racers, otherwise he would have the dogs put to sleep (even though there was no health or age reason for doing so). All three dogs went on to have long and happy lives with different forever families.

Many of the dogs’ actions in the book are based on Molly and her antics. 

Sadly, she crossed over the rainbow bridge last year, leaving a massive hole in our hearts. But she lives on here, one of the stars in Paths Not Yet Taken and front and centre on a cover that can be seen around the world.

Greyhound are wonderful, gentle dogs and are happiest after a short walk and a very long snooze. They make a wonderful addition to the family. Give your local rescue a call, then go along and see for yourself!