AN aspiring local author is using Amazon to publish a book he has written about the Isle of Man.
Tony Wright, a retired schoolteacher from Port Erin, has used the website's self publishing service to publish his novel Birth of a Nation (The Path).
The book, which is available in digital format, is the first in a series of three and centres on a path leading to the Spooyt Vane waterfall in Glen Mooar.
Tony explained: "In a nutshell it is a history of the Isle of Man told through the lives of fictitious people.
"The premise I worked from is that history is not just about the politicians and generals but about ordinary people.
"I started writing the book about eight years ago as I sat at Spooyt Vane waiting for a party of schoolchildren to arrive on a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme expedition.
"I sat and thought about all the people who must have walked along this path over the years. There are the remains of an earthwork and an old keill there plus the amazing waterfall. It is a magical place and has awesome ambience."
This is Tony's first attempt at writing a "serious novel", as he puts it, and he has turned to Amazon to publish it digitally after rejections from various agencies and publishing houses.
Tony continued: "I was advised to do it by Helen Hollick a renowned historical fiction author who has written some amazing books about Harold the First.
"She advised me to self-publish in order to get 'out there' because it's a very hard area to get a breakthrough.
"I have tried various agencies and publishing houses but I was rejected on various grounds e.g. 'Can you change the location?' 'Who wants to read about the Isle of Man?' and 'Not accepting new authors at this point'. Thankfully there were no adverse criticisms of my writing so that's a good thing!"
Tony recognises that doing things digitally is a good way of allowing authors to get their work seen but says he hopes it won't overtake completely.
He explained: "Is Kindle the way forward? I think it is definitely an emerging medium for literature as it provides easy access and has a low carbon footprint compared to more traditional means of publishing - but I would not like to see the traditional form of book disappear.
"I love to hold books and I love to flick through pages. I see electronic publishing as just one more medium in the range available today."
Tony concluded: "I realise that this will not be a bestseller, and I cannot envisage any sort of prize, but I write because I like to and if somebody likes my work and deems it a good read then that's enough for me."
Birth of a Nation (The Path) is available to download for the Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC computers, priced at £3.60, by clicking here.
