AN AUTHOR from Liphook is looking forward to the publication of his first novel next month.
Liam Jenkins, 39, has been preparing for the release of Dylan McFinn & The Sea Serpent’s Fury on February 22 while he and his wife Jennifer enjoy life with their seven-month-old son Alfie.
Liam said: “He’s keeping me busy and I look forward to reading him my stories when he gets older.”
Dylan McFinn is a 12-year-old living deep under the Pacific Ocean in the ancient sunken fishing village of Lapatia with his sea captain father, annoying little brother and mermaid mother Varuna.
For Dylan’s 13th birthday his father takes him on a surprise camping trip to the sea captain’s home island Maloto. But the holiday quickly unravels when it is revealed Dylan is the key to the return of the ancient evil shark deity Kadavu.
With his future and that of the whole human race at stake, Dylan must learn how to banish Kadavu from the Pacific islands for good and save Maloto – when all he wants to do is go home and see his mum.
The book also contains more earthly issues such as the need to protect the environment and having to deal with family trauma. Describing it as “a swashbuckling young adult adventure story with monsters and mermaids”, Liam explained the seeds of the tale were planted 30 years ago.
He said: “When I was eight or nine I was obsessed with monsters and sharks and had a very vivid imagination.
“I had a natural flair for writing, and while working for a communications agency in public relations I honed my craft.”
Liam continued writing while working in the distinctly uncreative fields of financial services and health and safety.
He came up with the name for his underwater hero after teaching his wife, brother and sister-in-law how to snorkel while on a family holiday to Madeira in 2012 – although Dylan McFinn was a bit of a leap from ‘Captain Snork’, the moniker they gave him following the lesson.
He said: “The book is set in the Pacific islands because it’s a most wonderful place and I want to go there one day.
“I have a natural interest in sea life so it’s been a real labour of love.”