The Examiner Literary Luncheon has hosted many well known writers and celebrities, but it has also helped to launch the careers of new, up-and-coming authors. This year our top table will boast long-serving MP Austin Mitchell, former schools inspector Gervase Phinn, established children’s writer Malcolm Rose, and writer/publisher Lynne Green, as well as newly-discovered novelist Lucy-Anne Holmes, tipped to become the next big name in chick lit. Today we’re taking a look at the life and work of Lucy-Anne, author of 50 Ways to Find a Lover. Hilarie Stelfox reports:

EVERYONE these days seems to be blogging and Twittering.

For most it’s simply an enjoyable past-time; for some a way to exercise creative literary muscles.

But for Lucy-Anne Holmes, one of the guests at this year’s Examiner Literary Luncheon, an on-line blog proved to be life-changing.

The 32-year-old from London was acting and ‘resting’ (“I was doing mainly theatre with the odd small television role and plenty of waitressing’’) when she began writing a blog about her search for a man after a long period of singledom.

Through the blog she found a literary agent and the agent found her a publisher. The resulting paperback, 50 Ways to Find A Lover, is based on the blog and tells the tale of a waitressing actress who is persuaded to chronicle her search for a man.

It’s the sort of book that will have been picked up in airports this summer – a light-hearted and entertaining holiday read.

The inspiration for Lucy-Anne’s blog came from a book called The Artist’s Way. “It’s a sort of self help book for your creativity,’’ she explains. “I was doing a play in The West End and I read it and followed the tasks, thinking it would help my acting. As soon as I finished that play I started my blog.

“Because the blog was a success I was encouraged by my agent to write a novel. I used a lot of my own experiences to write it but also had to learn to trust my imagination,’’ she added.

After leaving school Lucy-Anne had plans to become a journalist, “like Kate Adie’’, and took a gap year in Guatemala before going to university.

“Bizarrely, I got involved with a terrific English-speaking theatre company, which raised money for local facilities in poor areas. That completely gave me the acting bug,’’ she said.

And so after completing a degree in English Literature, Lucy-Anne went on to a drama school for two years and into the acting profession.

The success of her blog and subsequent book has meant that she’s now eager to pursue a writing career.

“There’s so much I want to write, more novels and at some point a play (I have two half-written) and even have a go at writing for the screen,’’ she said.

Lucy-Anne says that becoming a writer has changed the way she views human behaviour: “I have become really interested in why we do what we do and what happens when we do it. I can see myself studying an ‘ology’ in the future.

“I have also become fascinated by stories. I have started to interrogate people. If I meet new people I want to know everything about them. I can go on and on. A lunch can take all day. I’m surprised my friends put up with it!’’

You can meet Lucy-Anne and our other guests at the literary luncheon on Tuesday, October 6, at the Galpharm Stadium. The event, which begins at noon and is sponsored by florists Yorkshire Rose, includes a three-course meal with coffee afterwards. Our speakers will all be available for a book signing. Tickets are £26 from Examiner customer reception, Queen Street South, or by calling 01484 430000.