Jillian Marie Dyson grew up in a large, happy family on a coastal farm in New Zealand with one brother and three sisters. Black Velvet was begun when Jillian was married with two small children living in Sydney 30 years ago. It took three years to create and when complete, she forwarded it to well-known Sydney Literary agent, Selwa Anthony, who forwarded it to a publisher. The verdict was that while they liked the story they thought it too ahead of its time and suggested it be submitted at a later date.In the interim, both manuscripts were lost due to a computer virus…Three years ago Dyson’s brother, John Dyson, passed away. His wife, Kate, found a copy of Black Velvet in Jillian’s brother’s London office that he had lovingly edited for her.She forwarded it to Austin Macauley Publishers in London. They replied with a contract and Black Velvet was born at last.