<b>Success for novel UQ student</b>

Third-year University of Queensland student Kim Wilkins has written her first novel, a Gothic thriller The Infernal, which was recently launched at the University's St Lucia campus.

English Department lecturer in popular fiction and screen studies Dr Frances Bonner described Random House's printing of 16,000 copies as 'astonishing' for a first-print run.

Ms Wilkins said her inspiration for The Infernal came from occult philosophy, Renaissance literature, mythology and underground music.

The Infernal spans four centuries and deals with sorcery, murder and erotic obsession.

Ms Wilkins wrote the novel outside her coursework and had the book accepted for publication before she finished it late last year.

'My English major in Medieval and Renaissance Studies helped enormously with the research of the book, and the University of Queensland is the only place that offers this major,' she said.

'I'm interested in Renaissance literature and I would not have been able to study this anywhere else in Queensland except this University.'

Ms Wilkins said she began writing The Infernal as a first-year student, and has set herself a goal of writing 500 words a day to complete her second novel.

For the Brisbane Writers' Festival, she is participating chair of a panel of writers discussing 'The suspense is killing me' at the State Library Auditorium on September 4.

Next year, she plans to study Renaissance literature for her honours degree.

For more information, contact Ms Wilkins (telelphone 07 3371 1740).