A TALENTED Ayrshire author is set to release her first novel that she started writing after being diagnosed with a severe heart problem seven years ago.
Sarah Dean-Hunter, from Drongan, is celebrating the official launch of her book, 'The Artist and the Mirmin of Famagusta'.
The author and artist, who had previously written children's books, decided to pen her first grown-up novel after finding out she had a one in 1,000 chance of not surviving.
Sarah said: "I've always written in some way or another but back in 2019 I was diagnosed with a severe heart problem,
"I was told I needed a procure which had I a one in 1,000 chance of not surviving, which was a very scary thing to hear.
"If I was going to die, I wanted to have left something of me out there in the world, so I got started on the book."
Sarah's inspiration came from the most unlikely of locations - a Cypriot restaurant in Ayr's Newmarket Street.
She said: "I walked in and the smells just hit me. It brought back so many memories of when I lived in Cyprus.
"That really helped me start writing. I had to do it between my health issues but eventually I managed to pull it together.
"My heart problem was causing a lot of concentration issues, so I couldn't write for long periods of time.
"I'm not sure what genre it would fall under but it's about a British artist living in Famagusta who is dealing with trauma from her past.
"She meets a gender neutral mermaid and they strike up a relationship, helping her to recover from the trauma of her past and explore her own creativity."
Sarah is now set to host a special public book launch event at Narture’s Shape bakery and cafe on Newmarket Street in Ayr.
The event will take place on July 31 at 7pm when attendees will have the opportunity to hear a talk from the author, discover the inspirations behind the book, and secure signed copies.
To reserve a free space go to events.humanitix.com/book-launch-sarah-dean-hunter-local-author.
Sarah added: "I contacted Robert at Narture and asked if he could have some copies of the book in there to sell.
"He offered a book launch, and I thought that sounded very exciting. I am looking forward to being able to share the story with people and the message.
"I have family in the area who are coming to support me, and everyone who has read the book has absolutely loved it."
'The Artist and the Mirmin of Famagusta' is stocked in independent local venues including The Crafty Coo and The Dancing Thistle in Ayr and the COAST Gallery in Troon.
It is also available to buy on Amazon and on the night of the launch.
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