3 minute read
Books&Poetry THE BEAT GOES ON
A Chester musician has just celebrated two milestones in one week – publishing his first novel as his jazz band release their first album in 40 years
John McCullough spent five years working on his debut novel A Virtuous Killer. Inspired by real-life events, including the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls in 2014, it draws on over two decades’ experience of living and working in West Africa.
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“West Africa leaves a strong impression,” he said. “Nigeria, in particular, is intense in so many ways. Extreme wealth and poverty co-exist alongside corruption and violence. Yet Nigerians face these hardships with resilience, creativity, hard work and humour, and look to religion for their moral compass. I wanted to bring these realities to life in the pages of my story.”
Human su ering
A Virtuous Killer follows the e orts of a nurse trying to rescue her sister, one of a group of young women abducted by the terrorist group Boko Haram. When John first visited Nigeria in 1998, working on behalf of international health agencies, the country was ruled by a military junta, intent on hoarding wealth in this oil-rich nation – $400 billion was siphoned o without regard for the welfare of the people. The abduction of adolescents continues to this day and has become a lucrative criminal activity. His belief that the West has largely turned its back on the issue is what inspired John to write.
“Twenty-five years on, people continue to seek systemic change whilst the world minds its own business,” he said.
Never too late
John’s success in being published at 68 echoes other authors who have found success later in life. Last year he was invited
LOCAL BOOKS
Red Kite by Diane Perry
This is the debut young adult fiction novel by Ludlow author Diane, and is set around Titterstone Clee in south Shropshire, where she has lived for over 20 years. It tells the story of Brodie, a teenager struggling to cope after the death of his twin brother and his parents’ separation. Living in fear of Sumo, the school bully, he finds relief in his hobby of birdwatching – until Sumo turns up at his local haven. There seems no escape for Brodie as events start to spiral out of control, leading to lifechanging consequences for everyone.
When Diane began writing the novel, red kites were never spotted in Shropshire and her main character Brodie longs to see one. Now these majestic birds of prey are a regular sight in our skies.
Red Kite is £8.60 from Amazon.
to participate in the Elders Festival at Storyhouse, Chester. “Too many people assume that when you turn 60 your creative powers go into decline,” he said. “I obviously disagree and was pleased to help promote the benefits of devoting time to creativity as you get older.”
As if to underline this belief, John has achieved the rare feat of having a book and an album launched in the same week. He is a member of award-winning jazz-fusion band Swift, who last performed live in 1979. Following interest generated by fellow musician Dr Linley Hamilton, who began to play the band’s early demos on his BBC Radio Ulster show during lockdown, the band reconnected, and with Linley’s help produced a new album. In Another Lifetime is available on all the usual download sites and as a CD at swift6.bandcamp.com A Virtuous Killer, published by i2i, is available in bookshops and on Amazon and Kindle.
Happiness, edited by Tim
Saunders
We could all do with something uplifting at the moment and this anthology of poetry and short stories – some by local contributors – sets out to explore all that’s positive and upbeat.
“You can’t help feeling depressed at world events and the detrimental e ect they are having on us at this time,” says publisher Tim Saunders. “Compiling this book has taken my mind o these troubles and I have really enjoyed reading the work of the 14 writers and poets from across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, which has helped me to think even more positively. Happiness is an emotion we should all be allowed to feel as often as possible.”
With several Welsh poets featured, this volume is sure to lift the spirits of any reader.
Happiness is published by Tim Saunders Publications, and available from Amazon and direct from the publisher at tsaunderspubs.weebly.com
Adventures of the Meerflat by
Carol Harris
Carol lives near Welshpool and has been writing all her life, on numerous topics and for all sorts of age groups. This book (which has a foreword by Iolo Williams) is aimed at children aged 7–10 and is all about making friends. It’s a fun story based around animal encounters, and includes illustrations for children to colour in. Topics include being confident, listening well, starting conversations, being reliable and understanding others’ feelings. Two further books in the series cover ecology and health.
Available on Amazon and direct from Carol priced £7.99. See carolharris.uk
