Essex author in his 70s publishes first historic novel

William Brown, from XX, has always wanted to write.  

After working as a gas engineer for 50 years, and with “no academic qualifications”, William finally sat down and got to it after he retired seven years ago.

He wrote Amanda (Love against the odds) in about a sixth month period four years ago, after his son and his late wife helped him learn to use the computer.

William said: “I’ve always aspired to write for years and years, but while I was working, I just never really had the time.

“I’ve written a few stories, but this is the first one where I’ve managed to find anyone who is interested in publishing it.”

Author - William's inspiration for the novel came from a dream (Image: William Brown) His novel follows the story of a young boy who goes to sea at the age of 13 as a cabin boy, works his way up to become a ship’s captain, and then commands a ship on the Golden Triangle.

William said: “The Golden Triangle was the sailing route where they would go from Europe often to the west coast of Africa, then they would pick up a cargo of slaves and go to America, and then from there they would come back with coffee, sugar, tobacco and such things.

“In my book, the captain meets a young slave girl and falls madly in love with her.”

William said the inspiration for the touching story came from a dream he had of the pair’s initial meeting, and he based the story around it.

He said: “It’s a combination of romance and seafaring action.

“I just enjoyed doing it.

“It’s nice to have people’s opinions and to see people enjoying reading it.

“I enjoy reading what I’ve written back, because like any hobby, most people who would aspire to write a book would like other people to read it.

“I would like someone to look at it and read it and say, ‘It’s alright'.

"It would just be nice to have people enjoy reading it.”

Amanda (Love against the odds) is available in Waterstones, WHSmiths, and a variety of other sellers online.