Kirkcaldy author’s sold out book launch in the company of friends

For Lisa May Young, it was also special as she was joined by two fellow writers at her event at Kirkcaldy Galleries, a place that is very much a home from home.

The Fate Of Kin is the first book to be published under her own name, and the day ended with not a single copy left in her boxes.

Lisa is well known to Fife Free Press readers for her ‘Kirkcaldy Guardian’ columns, which profile the people at the heart of our community, and she also led a writing salon at the Adam Smith Theatre last year.

Her connection to Fife Writes was also celebrated at the book launch with fellow Fife author fantasy author and poet,Craig Gilbert, and poet Maureen Sangster sharing the top table with their own, new publications.

Lisa said: “They have been friends for years, and we have always encouraged each other - Maureen is my creative mum - and the idea was to bring together fellow writers who were launching books at the same time. That came out of the writing salon I ran at the Adam Smith Theatre when I was so encouraged by everyone, and I couldn’t think of better people to do this event with.”

“I approached Kirkcaldy Galleries and they gave it their full support, we sent out invitations, and the response was incredible. We filled the room - and I left without any books”

The Fate Of Kin, which spans some 500 pages, took over a year and many hours each night to write, although the seeds of the plot go back much further.

It tells the story of Amber Lockwood who has spent her life haunted by dreams and questions which no-one will answer. Her world unravels and she is pulled into a hidden portal into Sensio - a realm governed by magic, ancient laws and dangerous secrets. And it is there that the discovery of a twin brother awakens powers she never knew she had, and leads to a destiny darker than she could have imagined.

Fantasy and romantasy have huge followings.

Lisa said: “There is a massive market for books in this genre, I find fantasy freeing to write. You build your own world and your own characters.

If I was writing a police drama I’d have to follow how things are done. In the world of fantasy you can do what you like

“The launch was wonderful but also nerve wracking putting it out there - it was a year of writing, editing, and pulling together all the strands and ideas for each character.”

There was also a huge among of time spent making sure the book was right before putting it on the market.

“The work getting the book out is incredible -from the design of the cover to the text size, and all the editing. The cover is so important for fantasy books. I went through about ten before I got the one I settled on, and that took up the last few months of the process.”

The book is now available on Amazon and Kindle, with plans for a hardback launch to follow along with an audio version to tap into every market - and work has already started on a sequel!

“I was worried about starting a second book- could I do it again ? But I got back into my routine and I am up to chapter five!”

It will follow in due course, and sit next to her debut novel.

“I am really proud of it,” said Lisa, “It will go wherever it goes now it is out there.”

“And giving signed copy to my mum and dad … that was very special.”