A “NOVEL” fundraiser will see book royalties donated to a Bury-based support group for people with bone marrow cancer.

Between July 1 and 14, the royalties made from 11 books penned by a Heywood author will be given to the Bury and North Manchester Myeloma Support Group and national charity Myeloma UK.

About 4,700 people each year are diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable cancer caused by abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Bury Myeloma Support Group provides emotional support and education for sufferers and their carers, family and friends and meets at Bury Town Hall every six weeks.

Retired civil servant turned author Steven Teasdale was diagnosed with myeloma two years ago and is currently in remission.

Through his e-publisher, Tight Circle Publishing, he will donate the royalties from the downloads of 11 books including crime fiction in his own name and as Tessa Dale, chick lit under the pseudonym Mona French and teenage fiction as Alex Destry.

Mr Teasdale, aged 59, said: “I wanted to raise funds for a cancer charity close to my heart. Myeloma UK and the North Manchester and Bury Support Group have been an invaluable source of comfort, support and information.

“Donating all royalties from the sale of my books means the support group and Myeloma UK can continue helping patients like me in future.

“There is a real lack of awareness around this illness. People do not know what it is.

“Writing was just a hobby before I retired, but last year I sold 2,500 books. With the right response this could make hundreds of pounds for the charity.”

To download a copy of one of the books: go to http://bit.ly/STeasdale Books For more information about North Manchester and Bury Myeloma Support Group: call secretary Joan Smith on 0161 766 4669 or email joansmith.parrfold@btinternet.com