ASPIRING village writers who contributed to a community novel 12 months in the making are hoping to raise cash from their work to support local good causes.

A group of Garelochhead residents shared their literary talents during the first lockdown last year as a fun way to pass some time at the height of the pandemic restrictions.

And with a short print run revealing the finished product for all to see, and purchase, the authors are aiming to use any proceeds from the limited sales to help with the upkeep of the village’s cemetery, the Gibson Hall, and the young people who attend Centre 81.

The novel, titled ‘Garelochdown, the Doomed Village’, leads with some fanciful ‘reviews’ praising the “internationally acclaimed bestseller”, including a supposed credit from none other than Harry Potter author JK Rowling: “Exquisite and elegant, a story of the ages beautifully told by the people of Garelochhead.”

Other fictitious comments on the front cover include: “Quite good”, “It’s passable”, and “Where’s Garelochhead?”.

The project was originally devised by Martin Croft, vice convener of Garelochhead Community Council, and the 33-page novel features 19 unique chapters.

READ MORE: Garelochhead residents team up to write community novel in lockdown

It reads: “The novel had no plan, no storyboard, no rules, and absolutely no idea where it was going; indeed this was the plan itself. Martin Croft holds the honour of putting pen to blank sheet of paper first.

“No sooner had he flourished through his atmospheric opening paragraphs than he passed the novel on to the next eager author.

“It travelled for a year around the village from home to home, from author to author, nobody having any idea where the novel was going to go next.

“As might be expected with a novel of this nature, the story involves a staggering variety of themes within its relatively short length. It jogs along at pace from a ‘Mills and Boon’ love story involving jilted lovers, to dramatic fight scenes and a gruesome criminal investigation.

“There are numerous and complex (and at times quite bewildering) character developments, a supernatural turn, and even a Communist infiltration before breathlessly sprinting to its thrilling ending that is sure to have readers gripped.”

As well as Martin himself, the book was written by Margaret Stratton, Mary Gray, Carole Spencer, Hazel McKinnon, Marion Archard, Jean Norton, Steely Submariner (Paul A), Lesley Fitton, Giles Innocent, Gail Berrall, Tim Berrall, Sarah Jones, Matthew Marshall, Rosie O’Conner, Laura Cameron, Colin Taylor, Heather Smith, David Black, Watson Robinson and Jamie Munro.

READ MORE: Tributes to Garelochhead's 'guiding light' Mary Gray, who dies aged 89

Included in the foreword of the novel is a touching tribute to a much loved community member who passed away last year.

“The novel is dedicated to the fond memory of Mary Gray who died aged 89 on September 14, 2020,” it reads.

“She was an indomitable lady; a highly respected member of Garelochhead Community Council who gave her time willingly for the good of the village and its people.

“Despite not being able to read and enjoy the finished novel with us all, Mary made her own valuable contribution to the story.

“She joined us all with her good humour, community spirit and strength in adversity during these extraordinary times.

“With the pace of modern life growing ever quicker, some positivity to come from lockdown is that we have been reminded that community spirit is vital to us all.

“Mary was the absolute embodiment of community spirit and we can only hope that this novel would have perhaps made her even just a little more proud of Garelochhead and its people.”

To find out how to buy a copy of the novel, email convenor@garelochhead.info.

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