A WRITER who dreamed of one day seeing her story in Kingswinford Library has become a best-selling author just weeks after publishing her debut novel.

This Christmas promises to be the best ever for Miranda Dickinson whose book Fairytale of New York has spent a month in the top ten of The Sunday Times Bestsellers List - outselling some of the biggest books of the festive season.

The 36-year-old’s romantic tale about a British girl who moves to the Big Apple to chase her dreams has been one of the top sellers in stores including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s - and it has sold more than 54,500 copies since its launch on November 12.

To top it off, the only chick lit writer currently selling more books is Miranda’s biggest inspiration - Cecelia Ahern.

Kingswinford-born Miranda, who has enjoyed a whirlwind few months of interviews and signings, said: “It’s really crazy; it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m still getting over the fact that it’s in the shops. It’s way beyond what I thought it would do.

“As far as I’m aware Cecelia Ahern is the only person in my genre who is outselling me, and she’s one of my favourite authors! It’s absolutely crackers, but it’s amazing.”

Previously entitled Coffee at Kowalski’s - Miranda’s book was snapped up by Avon (part of HarperCollins) after publishing bosses spotted it on their Authonomy website for unsigned talent shortly after she was made redundant from her job as a copywriter.

So impressed with the heart-warming tale about Rosie Duncan who runs an old-fashioned Upper West Side floristry shop - they immediately gave her a three-book deal.

What’s even more incredible is that Miranda had never even visited New York.

Unable to afford the ticket - she immersed herself in guide books and movies like You’ve Got Mail and Serendipity to help turn the city that never sleeps into the perfect backdrop for her light-hearted love story.

And not only has it become an instant best-seller, Fairytale of New York has also been nominated by the Romantic Novelists’ Association for its prestigious Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2010.

The shortlist will be announced on February 11.

Miranda, from Richardson Drive, Wollaston, said: “I'm keeping everything crossed.

“For women's contemporary fiction, the RNA award is the equivalent of an Oscar - so it's phenomenal to have been nominated.”

There’s even talk that Fairytale of New York could be turned into a movie.

In the meantime - if books continue to fly off the shelves - fast-becoming famous Miranda hopes to be able to jet off on her own across the pond adventure.