Local creative follows his dreams of becoming an author and publishes debut novel
Since completing an honours course in creative writing, Kingston resident, Taylor Roberts, has had one thing on his mind - to finish and publish his fantasy novel, 'Allura and the Hopeless World.'
Allura and the Hopeless World is an enticing story about overcoming your past; forging friendships and finding your way home when all seems lost.
The author explains, ‘I began writing the story as a teenager in 2019 as part of my creative writing course at university. The requirement was to write the opening chapter of a book for a younger audience, but I found that once I had started, I didn’t want to stop. I drew inspiration from the types of books I enjoyed when I was younger which meant I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to explore a fantasy world through the lens of a child protagonist.’
Lead character, Allura Saint-May, is transported from the streets of London by a mysterious light to the fantastical world of Orterra, a place where magic and monsters are far more than a thing of fiction.
Aimed for ages 11 upwards, this whimsical book is filled with magic and mystical themes which will draw the reader in and take them on an exciting adventure.
Taylor adds, ‘Growing up in the digital age, I know exactly how easy it can be to feel overwhelmed and despondent. We have more access than ever before to every bad thing that’s happening anywhere in the world. I believe it is so crucial that we never just ignore the bad things that are happening, but that we also always remind ourselves of the good as well. That is why the importance of hope in difficult times is the central theme of the book. Right now is a good time for that message, particularly for younger readers.’
Taylor is currently in the process of writing a sequel to Allura and the Hopeless World in which he aims to take the story in an entirely unexpected direction.. so watch this space!
About the book Step into a land of wonder and intrigue unlike any other. Allura and the Hopeless World is an enticing story about overcoming your past; forging friendships and finding your way home when all seems lost.
Tossed from foster family to foster family, distrustful twelve-year-old Allura Saint-May's life is changed forever on the day she disappears from the face of the Earth. Plucked from the streets of London by a mysterious light, she finds herself transported to the fantastical world of Orterra, a place where magic and monsters are far more than a thing of fiction. There, Allura is thrust into the centre of a grand mystery that just might determine the fate of both worlds.
About the author Taylor Indiana Roberts is an author from the south of England with a BA in Creative Writing. His debut novel, Allura and the Hopeless World, was longlisted for the Bath Young Novel Awards and marks the first in a series of books set within the world of Orterra. When not exploring the countryside or playing the piano, Taylor can be found reading endlessly, writing constantly and planning future books.
Allura and the Hopeless World RRP £10.99 was published by The Conrad Press and can be ordered from Amazon and all good bookshops. ISBN: TBC 978-1915494788