Shropshire author changes name to avoid 'sexism'

A best-selling Shropshire author is taking readers into the drama and intrigue of ancient Rome in the first in a new series of books.

And for Manda Scott, of Clungunford, it's a step in a new direction in a different way - because she's changed her name to avoid 'male sexist bias'.

"Previously I wrote the Boudica: Dreaming series and a series of contemporary thrillers under the name Manda Scott, but apparently most men won't buy a book if they know it's by a woman, so I've had to become 'ungendered,'" said Manda.

As a result her name on the new paperback book Rome: The Emperor's Spy appears as MC Scott.

"It's in the same way that JK Rowling didn't let anyone know she was a woman at first. The sad thing is that it works."

Rome: The Emperor's Spy will be followed in May by the appearance in hardback of Rome: The Coming of The King.

Manda says the new series is a Roman spy thriller and the first book is based around the great fire of Rome.

"I learned that the fire was lit on the night of July 18, 64 AD, and that there were in circulation at the time apocalyptic manuscripts claiming that 'the kingdom of heaven could not arise until or unless Rome had burned under the eye of the Dog Star, Sirius'."

• Rome: The Emperor's Spy is published by Transworld Publishers and costs £6.99.