by Julia Roberts

A black cab driver who took a different journey into the world of writing books has embarked on yet another chapter in his life.

Self-published author Danny Kemp is on a nationwide 16-week book-signing tour at Waterstones, sharing the bill with the likes of more well-known writers such as Mark Billingham and Dr Peter Robinson.

The 62-year-old grandfather from Wilmington has enjoyed meeting fans and signing copies of his novel, The Desolate Garden.

But nothing prepared him for the thrill of seeing his book, a spy murder-mystery, on the shelves of his local Waterstones store in Bluewater.

“It was a big, big surprise. I asked at the counter whether they had the book. The sales assistant looked on the computer and said I could find it upstairs.

“And there it was. I was a bit taken aback to see it and when I went out of the store I couldn’t remember whether I needed to turn left or right!”

Danny, who once wrote a blog called The View from a Cab, has driven his black cab to book signings throughout the county and country, and also appeared on radio shows.

“I have loved it,” he added. “I love meeting people and hope to inspire other people my age to write.”

Danny, who has also been a Metropolitan police officer and pub landlord, only started writing after a car accident left him unable to work for three years.

Once the tour finishes, Danny plans to lock himself in his converted shed and concentrate on a short story which he hopes to self-publish by Christmas.