A CHILDREN’S author from Chester is to be published – in the Middle East.
The first in Edward Traynor’s series of books, A Wishing Shelf Tale, has been translated to Persian and will soon be in every bookshop and library in Iran and Afghanistan.
Edward, 38, a former English teacher from Boughton, said: “It is very exciting. The publisher has asked me to visit the country to sign lots of books. I plan to go if the political situation allows.”
In his latest novel, Felicity Brady, the hero of the book, is faced with a Woolly Glumsnapper, a vampire who keeps mistaking her for a pepperoni pizza, and a goblin who keeps scoffing all her Hobnobs.
The book will be released in Iran in the next two months after it has been checked by the government for any subversive messages.
“It is odd to think of a bunch of old chaps checking to see if Felicity is trying to bring down the Iranian government. Most of the time she is just trying to find a magic spell to get rid of her spots,” he laughed.
“Felicity does find herself in a World War One trench, on the Titanic and in the Twin Towers on 9/11. I think it is the first time an author has used all three disasters as the backdrop for part of a children’s book – I just hope I don’t upset anybody.”
Also released this week, this time in the UK, is the fourth book in the series, Glumweedy’s Devil, which follows the struggle of a young girl in a magical bookshop.
Edward, a former English teacher, plans to visit lots of Chester schools up to Christmas to chat about what it is like to be an author.
“Kids always surprise me,” he added.
“In the last school I visited in Lincolnshire a girl suggested I add morphing balloons to my next book, so I did. And one boy just wanted to know if I could flip over an aircraft.”
That question probably came about after Edward revealed he also works as a commercial pilot, flying out of Hawarden Airport.
He continued: “I love flying and I also work for a small aerial photography company, so when the weather is horrible I can always write.”
Edward will be signing all four of his books at Borders, Cheshire Oaks on Saturday, November 8 from noon until 4pm.
