Warwick resident celebrates publishing his first book

Clive Hardwick with his book Chanter's Hide. Photo submitted

A resident in Warwick is celebrating publishing his first book.

Clive Hardwick, who has lived in the town since 1976, has published his novel 'Chanter's Hide' on Amazon.

The book is set in the village of 'Chanter's Hide' in Dorset.

Characters Ben Ebbrell and his wife Jan, who are expecting their first child, move to the village after being left a cottage in a family member's will.

However Ben soon realises the other villagers are scared of the local vicar Simon Drake and he realises the vicar is a Satanist.

After events unfold it becomes a race to save Jan and the baby before Drake can complete his final ritual, a ceremony that will bring forth the Devil himself.

The newly published author, who lives in Warwick with his wife Liz and labrador Pluto, described his book as incorporating the 'old horror' genre.

Clive said: "I have always loved horror stories and used to enjoy watching the old ‘Hammer’ films of the 1960s and 1970s.

"I wanted to write a story that incorporated the suspense of the old horror tales and was not a ‘slasher’ yarn as so many seem to be today.

"At the age of 69, it feels wonderful to hold a physical copy of a book written by myself and to know people are enjoying reading it.

"Writers write because they need to, it’s in their DNA, but ultimately, they all hope that the pages they toil over will be read and appreciated by others; that is human nature.

"After years of writing poetry and living under the misapprehension that to write a novel, it must first be planned meticulously, I began my first novel six years ago, whilst working the night shift in a hydraulics factory.

"I began with a vague idea and, within five or six weeks was writing three separate stories. There is no set way to write, only your way. The only thing you must do is – write."

As well as publishing Chanter's Hide, Clive also has the first two book of a trilogy read to publish.

I have the first two books of a trilogy ready to go and the first in what I intend to be a series.

Chanter's Hide can be bought on Amazon in eBook and paperback formats, the eBook retailing at £1.99 and the paperback £7.99.