Olly Good Time for Annie Waller
28th November 2005
Lyneham author, the witty Annie Waller is hitting the dizzy heights of stardom. Former high-flying PR girl, who has now written a brilliant debut novel "Married to Albert" draws heavily on her own hilarious observations which follow walking down the aisle to a dashing Royal Air Force pilot.

The book is filled with experiences about adapting to marriage in a military world. Boiling emotions are delivered with the blunt honesty of a true Yorkshire lass. It is a ‘must read’ for all women seeking an outlet for their frustrations.

She vibrantly illuminates the personal and cultural pressures placed on girls at school to be equal to men (until they marry the military and become insignificant to their husband).

Annie Waller, launched her debut novel a couple of weeks ago at Waterstone's in Swindon and things have been totally different to what she expected since the inauguration. Annie's feet have not touched the ground since, and sales and interest in the book has really taken-off giving a fresh way of life. Expecting to sell a few books at the launch, and sit back and wait for a big break, that big break has come very quickly, quicker than Annie expected.

Following the Swindon introduction, local newspapers and indeed us, have given 'Married to Albert' very good exposure and she has noticed the interest in her paperback is growing from strength to strength. Waterstone's have announced recently that the book will be now available in all 180 bookstores nationwide, WH Smith have shown a keen interest too, not forgetting Annie has been invited to speak at the Swindon Festival of Literature with former BBC Gulf War reporter Kate Adie.

Last Thursday night, the Hercules crews of 24 and 30 Squadron based at RAF Lyneham returned back from a long six week detachment delivering essential supplies to the stricken families of Pakistan earthquake. This homecoming has become part of customary life for many of the families at RAF Lyneham and on Friday 25th November during BBC Radio Wiltshire Olly Dearden's Mid-day Show, he took the opportunity to speak to Annie live in the Swindon studio, to get a first hand account and reflection of these homecomings, experiences of being left at home, waiting, praying that their own 'air force heroes' will be home soon.

Annie reflects of her Prospect Place experience: "I was a bit nervous but Olly put me at ease and I just chatted about the story. 'Married to Albert' is doing so well - Waterstone's have put it in one hundred and eighty of their stores this week. Everyone military and civilian is enjoying it which is exactly why I wrote it... to make people laugh." During their lively conversation, Olly talked to Annie about the book, the disturbance of being left, how they get on with life, the excellent family support provided by the services, and that 'Fat Albert', the nickname for the Hercules, invariably is the first-in and last-out to all the conflicts around the globe.

Annie reflected cheerily, "This lifestyle is a very normal for us, when hubby goes in the morning for his day-to-day tasks, we ask what time do you want tea?, When I get home love! is the common reply"

Annie recalls "Life is by and large very busy at Lyneham, and it is even more hectic now, especially that the book, which replicates our day-to-day routine, is reaching the airwaves and being recognised nationally." Currently Annie Waller is busy with pen to paper writing her latest novel Girl Guidance.