Having read mostly non-fiction in my adult life I was late to read novels, becoming particularly attracted to 'What-if?' stories, typically by authors like Robert Harris who would take events in the past and devise a storyline describing how they evolved, or even rewriting history to give a different outcome.

I have been interested in politics since childhood and always had some sympathy for people where their country is dominated by a military dictatorship, or worse, by an occupying force from elsewhere. There have been many scenarios based on what might have happened had Hitler been successful and how the British would have dealt with German occupation. However, after WWII another foreign power could have seized the opportunity because Britain's forces were much depleted, with thousands of military personnel elsewhere in the world and many still in the Far East awaiting transport to return home. The threat to Britain could have come from the east or the west, because it was clear America was paranoid that the USSR wanted to take over the world, while of course the USSR had a diametrically opposite view of America.

A few years ago it occurred to me that in 1945 the Americans might have decided that the newly elected Labour government was a little too aligned with the USSR and consequently decided to seize the initiative, effectively becoming an occupying force? After all, they had thousands of military personnel scattered around with time on their hands. Perhaps Harry Truman, US president at the end of the war, would not have gone that far, but would a more gung-ho right-wing president have seen things differently? The example was there for all to see: what if Donald Trump had been born around 70 years earlier and become US president in 1944?

Why the fascination with Donald Trump? Before 2016 he had no political experience yet became the Republican nomination and won the presidential election. He is often seen as a bully, at times with only a tenuous association with the truth and is totally besotted with his own image. He has made outrageous claims and allegations, overstepped all the normal boundaries of electoral behaviour, yet got away with it. If he did this in 2016, and since, then could an earlier version have achieved a similar outcome 72 years earlier?

I set out a possible storyline on one side of A4 and ran it past a few friends and family. While they agreed it was interesting to speculate, no one was terribly enthusiastic, but nevertheless I thought it might be worth taking it further. At that point I didn't contemplate writing it myself as I felt I lacked the appropriate writing skills. As an engineer I had written many engineering reports where concise, simple grammar is preferred, but I had never written fiction, let alone conversation. I therefore contacted several publishers to see if they knew of a professional author looking for a story, because at that stage I was happy to give away my storyline, pleased to see it shared as widely as possible. Sadly no offers were forthcoming and I had almost given up on the idea when a friend persuaded me to try for myself.

I felt I had nothing to lose and it was certainly an interesting challenge. I checked out a few basic requirements for a novel, typically a minimum of 70,000 words, seemingly a formidable target. Initially progress was slow and sometimes I would go several days before returning to it, but after a few weeks I began to enjoy it. I would typically write about half an hour a day, and sometimes when I had an inspiration I found an urgent need to return to the keyboard, whatever the time of day. Having got an early draft in a readable state I then shared it with a few friends and family who made many comments and were very encouraging. Even my son who lives in New Zealand was able to provide rapid feedback, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. I even wrote three different endings but was persuaded to stay with my original version. Typically, as an engineer, I could not resist adding an appendix, just to clarify some facts that I had referred to in my story.

Eventually I passed my 70,000 word target and had to resist the temptation to make daily improvements and decide on a final version. I then set about the challenge of finding a publisher and sent a synopsis to several, only to receive polite refusals. I became aware that publishers are only interested in work of established authors or that of celebrities, where book sales are more or less guaranteed. Clearly to supply books speculatively to every high-street bookshop in the UK is very expensive, together with advertising campaigns, so an unknown author could be a costly gamble. I then looked into the possibilities of self-publishing and found this is not what it appears. It is not a DIY operation, there are specialist publishers prepared to take on the task on the basis that the author is prepared to pay for it. They will offer proof-reading, cover design, ISBN registration and arrange printing. For an appropriate fee some will take on promotional opportunities, book signing sessions and representation at book fairs. Thus they can provide a full and complete publisher's role without having to take the risk themselves. I admit I was totally naive in this regard and was later to realise I knew virtually nothing about the field of marketing and publicity.

I had to make a crucial decision. Should I abandon the whole idea or take a chance and see what transpires? My instinct was to see it through, else I would forever ask myself what might have been. I had never set out on this to make money, merely to see it through to completion and hope other people would enjoy reading my story. After some research I signed up with UK Book Publishing Ltd who were very friendly and helpful. For around two and a half grand they took me through the process right up to and including the launch, making the book available on Amazon and other websites. I could have gone with other publishers for two or three times that fee, and they would have provided the full bells and whistles service, but I was reluctant to take on the public role this would have entailed.

I have to admit that once having launched then the true reality set in, I just hadn't thought this through! I quickly realised there are thousands of books available on the Amazon website and even providing a few key-words hardly makes the book pop up on casual searches. It helps if people leave reviews, but of course they have to have purchased the book, either in paperback or electronic format, before posting a review. However, it's a cumulative effect where favourable reviews hoist a book further up the rankings and make it more likely to get noticed by the casual browser.

So that is the point I have reached. With only modest royalties I do not expect to break-even let alone make a profit. I can just hope that with the range of the world-wide-web it may appeal somewhere to some people. Perhaps it's possible with the American market and a name like Trump in the title it might just catch on?

They say there is a book in everyone. Personally I doubt that for reasons I've outlined, but perhaps many people have a story? Maybe there is case for an author database to bring together untold stories and make them into readable fiction? Could be a win-win for everyone, including publishers.

Lawrence Bird