WOULD-BE authors can take heart from writer Tony Flood, whose heroine Jody Richards in his new book The Secret Potion is being hailed as a possible successor to the Harry Potter adventures.

But 66-year-old former Bromley, Orpington, Woolwich and Greenwich resident Tony accepts that even if his first fantasy adventure story, which is being published this month, turns into a series he'll never match the earnings of JK Rowling.

In fact, Tony, formerly Sky Television's controller of information, is not looking to make any profit from the initial print run of his debut novel and is happy to give our readers an amazing pre-Christmas offer of £4 off signed copies of his book.

Among those who have hailed The Secret Potion is best-selling East Sheen author Jessica Duchen.

She said: “Readers pining for more magic post-Harry Potter need look no further. Tony Flood has conjured up all the wizards, witches goblins, pixies and spiders you could want, and quite possibly the world's worst monster.”

Readers can snap up a bargain by getting copies for £4.99 each instead of the recommended retail price of £8.99.

Tony, who now works as a sub-editor with Sunday national paper The People, said: “I want as many children - and adults - as possible to enjoy discovering how 10-year-old Jody goes off to the magic land of Tamila in search of her kidnapped brother James.

"She takes on the forces of evil as a cruel witch places a spell on her and an evil wizard turns her new found friend into a frog.”

To receive the book at a discounted price simply send a cheque, made payable to Sportsworld Communications, for £5.97 (including 98p post and packing) to Book Offer, 24 Brisbane Quay, Eastbourne, BN23 5PD.

Otherwise The Secret Potion is available through Fastprint Publishing at £8.99. For more information, visit fast-print.net