Author's latest tale could hit the silver screen; BOOK COULD BECOME A FILM.

A BEST-selling Coventry author who has just penned his third book is keeping his fingers crossed that the work might be his dream ticket to Hollywood.

Mark Barrowcliffe, 39, has finished his third book, called Lucky Dog, which he hopes will be as successful as his first two novels, Girlfriend 44 and Infidelity for First Time Fathers.

But fame and glamour could be just around the corner as there is interest from the American film industry in making one of his books into a film.

The former pupil of Woodlands School, Tile Hill, was born and brought up in Coventry, where his parents Ann and Roy still live.

He said: "My latest book is warmer and has more humour than the others. I write about what I know. My first books are about being incredibly unsuccessful with women, which I know a lot about.

"This book is about a talking dog who consoles a man who has been through a very bad time, and I'm always speaking to my dog - although it has never talked back... yet."

The tale is based on an honest estate agent who has lost his mum and run up large gambling debts. A dog he rescues ends up transforming his life.

Mark, who now lives in Brighton, started writing in 1999 after an article he wrote for the Big Issue impressed publishers.

He said: "The rights for my first two books have been bought by agencies in Hollywood, and an organisation called 20/20 seems keen on making a film out of my second book. It's a very exciting prospect."

Lucky Dog is available from books stores priced at pounds 6.99.

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