A BRAINTREE-born author is publishing his first book after ten years of writing it on his smartphone.

Joseph Burch is releasing Ollie and Ada after writing the story on his commute to London for the past ten years.

Joseph, who lived in Braintree until his mid-twenties, said the journey time gave he the opportunity to write and he wanted to use it “wisely”.

The quantity surveyor said: “I have commuted to and from London for the past ten years from my current address.

“I wanted to use this time wisely travelling so decided to write a book on my smartphone.

“I wanted to talk about mental health, about hope, and that change is possible.

Ollie and Ada is a love story about a pair who cross paths in a bereavement support class.

Joseph, who has always wanted to write a book and have it published, hopes the book will help those who might be struggling with grief or bereavement and need a guide.

The 41-year-old said: “From a young age it was always an ambition of mine to write a novel, and have it published.

“I had an idea and years of commuting gave me the opportunity to write.

“I am a quantity surveyor by trade and enjoy my job but always felt this was something I needed to do.

“I wanted my book to be able to be used as a help guide too for those struggling.

“Slowly but surely the process began. I set myself daily targets.

“It took the best part of ten years, and the majority was completed on a cracked smartphone on cramped commuter trains.

“Soon enough words turned into chapters and I got there in the end.”

Joseph sent his debut manuscript to several agents before signing a publishing deal with the Book Guild.

“I signed a publishing deal and found out this week that Waterstones are now selling my book,” said Joseph, who now lives in Sussex, but regularly returns to his hometown to visit.

Ollie and Ada is available to pre-order now at Waterstones and Amazon before its release in October.