A TEACHER at Doonfoot Primary School has released his first novel The Crying Wind.

Andrew Pullan, who helps pupils with special needs, has been writing the children’s book for six years and finally published it on Amazon this month.

Speaking to the Ayr Advertiser Andrew said: “Writing is something I have been doing for about 10 or 12 years.

“I started off writing poetry and my book has been an ongoing project for about six years. I wrote it, then put it on the shelf. I wanted to edit it before publishing it and now I am happy with the outcome.

“This is the first time I have been published and the first time I have written a children’s novel. It has a Scottish interest and it is my hope that schools will be able to use it as there is a lot of Scottish history inside.”

Not only has Andrew self published his book on Amazon, it will be available on Kindle. Waterstone’s in Perth have also shown an interest.

The Crying Wind tells the tale of a 12-year-old Kimberley Jackson, from England, who visits her relative on the fictional Scottish Island of Gala.

She discovers the ghost of a girl, Cora, who was forced out of her home during the highland clearances, but she is not aware Cora is her ancestor.

Kimberley has dreams about her new friend, where she finds out Cora was separated from her family during the clearances.

The 12-year-old also joins in the island’s windfarm battle to save the otters who would be affected by the power supply development.

Andrew continued: “I like the creative style of writing a book and jotting down ideas. Because I know how schools work, I hope my book can be used as a resource.

“It is nice to be on this side of the fence - being an author rather than teaching the book. Hopefully, this is only just the beginning as I have a couple of picture books lined up.

“Children’s books seem to have taken over. Self publishing helps.”
Andrew is already working on two other projects which he hopes to self publish. He has been a teacher for over twenty years, mainly working with special needs pupils of all ages. 

He is available to work in schools for readings or lessons and / or activities related to the story or creative writing.

He will be speaking to different classes at Doonfoot Primary School on June 16 and reading to them extracts  of the book.

You can check out The Crying Wind , which is aimed at nine to 12-year-olds via  https://www.tcwbook2016.co.uk/buy-now  This will provide all the details required on how to purchase a copy.