THIS is an exciting time for Wembley author Preethi Nair.

Her third novel was published on Monday, alongside a re-issue of her first, and her second is being adapted as major TV drama.

Beyond Indigo is being formally launched this evening (Thursday) by a major publisher at a prestigious Mayfair venue. But it was very different with Preethi's first book, Gypsy Masala.

When it was rejected by a number of publishers, she dreamed up a plan which has since become a legend in the publishing industry.

She spent her savings publishing the book herself, and then invented an alter ego to promote it.

By day she was Preethi, commuting by Tube to her job as a management consultant. In her "spare time" she became Pru Menon, a "director of the multinational PR firm Creative House", calling stores and journalists to generate interest in the book.

When the subterfuge was discovered it earned Preethi more coverage in the press than Pru had ever managed, she she signed a deal with Harper Collins, which is publishing her second novel, 100 Shades of of White, and is re-issuing Gypsy Masala.

Preethi's experience of being her own publicist was the inspiration for her new book.

Beyond Indigo is the story of Nina, a lawyer who has always wanted to be a painter. But her conservative parents want her to have a stable career, which the life of an artist would not provide.

So when she gives up her job for her art, she still puts on a suit each morning and pretends to go to the office. But instead she heads for a studio and her real love.

Her double life gets even more complicated when her work is seen by a gallery owner and, instead of admitting she is the artist, she pretends to be the artist's agent.

She dreams up a whole fictitious life for him, making him Japanese, and sees her creation achieve international fame.

Preethi said: "If you have a dream, you have to keep believing in it, and working to make it happen."

But the book reflects more of her experiences than her double life as Pru.

She was born in India, her family coming to England when she was two and settling in the East End before moving to Wembley, a background mirrored in Nina's struggle to balance the conflicting cultures of her parents, rooted in tradition, and the life she longs to lead.

Preethi's second novel, the story of three generations of an Indian family, is being turned into a 90-minute drama for the BBC by Avie Luthra, who adapted Chaucer's The Sea Captain's Tale for the BBC's modern versions of some of the Canterbury Tales last year.

In 2001, when she was 29, Preethi won the young achiever title in the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, and in November was named one of Britain's Asian Assets.

Beyond Indigo, £15 (hardback); Gypsy Masala and 100 Shades of White, Harper Collins, £8.99 each (paperback), all from Harper Collins. Preethi will be signing copies of her novels at Ottaker's bookshop in St Ann's Road, Harrow, at 2pm on Saturday.