Fellow Midlands-based writer, Lorraine Hellier , has asked me to tell you about her latest book. It is the fourth in her children’s Serendipity series and is called ‘The Boy Who Tricked Trolls’.
The blurb about the book is tantalising:
Alex discovers the secret passage through a Grandfather Clock which leads to a fantasy world on the island of Serendipity. Desperate to help rescue little Amy, he and his friends are captured by trolls in the underground caves. How will he escape?
“Despite being part of a series the book can be enjoyed as a standalone novel,” says Lorraine. “The story is reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and it will appeal to readers aged around 7 to 11 years.”
Lorraine is a retired dental therapist and now visits schools encouraging children with her reading and writing workshops. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and also attends the same writing group as me – Lichfield and District Writers.
“The advice and encouragement of other writers is invaluable,” she explains. “I would recommend anyone new to writing to make contact with other authors for support.”
Having finished the hard graft of producing the book, Lorraine is now busy organising events to make sure it reaches as wide an audience as possible.
“I’m also working on the second draft of book 5 in the series,” she continues, “and preparing activities for children at my author events and school workshops. Plus, I’m making notes about other ideas before they take over my head!”
Lorraine will be promoting her book between 10am and 3pm at Lichfield library on the 8th September 2012 and also at Burntwood library on the 22nd September at the same times. If you live in the Staffordshire area why not go along and meet her?
Signed copies of Lorraine’s books are available via her website and the novels can also be bought through Amazon. They would make the perfect present for junior school children (and don’t forget, Christmas will be upon us before you know it!).
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by susanjanejones on August 26, 2012 - 5:25 pm
Forget junior school children and 7 – 11’s, this is one for me Sally, looks fab fab fab. Just the thing for autumn evenings by the fire.
#2 by Sally Jenkins on August 26, 2012 - 7:10 pm
And unfortunately those autumn evenings are getting closer…
#3 by Julia on August 29, 2012 - 10:10 am
Thanks for the info. I’ve just ordered a signed copy.
#4 by Sally Jenkins on August 29, 2012 - 12:11 pm
I hope you (or the intended child recipient!) enjoys the book, Julia.
#5 by Debbie Young on August 29, 2012 - 11:21 am
Yes, I’m with you, Susan! I love that kind of children’s book – “The Borrowers”, “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe”. I think I may have to make this one my daughter’s bedtime story (once we’ve finished “The Magician’s Nephew”, our current book) – so that I have the excuse to read it too! Thanks for drawing our attention to this, Sally – what’s not to love about a secret island called Serendipity? Got to be a classic in the making!
#6 by Debbie Young on August 29, 2012 - 11:26 am
And by the way, visiting schools to promote books is GREAT fun for the author as well as the children – and is really handy for generating local PR and (with permission) lovely publicity photos too. Visit this link to see some more about this idea and some lovely photos of Helen Hart’s recent visit to my daughter’s primary school (the best which will be on display in the school library – which she opened as VIP visitor!) : http://offtheshelfbookpromotions.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/in-to-schools/
#7 by Sally Jenkins on August 29, 2012 - 12:17 pm
I love The Borrowers too – only discovered the books as an adult, when I read them to my children. And thanks for the link, Debbie – useful for anyone who writes for children or young adults.