海角直播

Gabrielle goes from games design to seeing her first novel in print

A childhood dream to write a book has finally become a reality for 海角直播 academic Gabrielle Kent.

Gabrielle, Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development in the University鈥檚 School of Computing, has worked in and around the games industry for twenty years. But as an avid reader, she鈥檇 always had a passion for writing and dreamed of writing her own book. And now having signed a three-book deal, Gabrielle鈥檚 debut title is due to be on sale from June. Alfie Bloom and the Secrets of Hexbridge Castle, published by Scholastic UK, will be the first in a series of novels.

The series will follow 11-year-old Alfie who inherits a castle and discovers he is the guardian of an ancient magic which others seek but should never be used. With the help of his two cousins, a shapeshifting solicitor and a flying bearskin run, Alfie must ensure the secrets of Hexbridge castle stay secret forever.

Gabrielle said: 鈥淚鈥檝e always loved reading and wanted to write a book since the age of six. I started writing this story about 10 years ago, working on it during the summer months. Once I鈥檇 finished it took around two years to secure an agent, who helped me to find a publisher. Scholastic have gone on to sell the rights to France, Germany and America.

鈥淎lthough set in the real world, there are some other-worldly elements. The story has been described as Harry Potter meets Famous Five meets Roald Dahl, but unique in itself, which is an unbelievable compliment. It is aimed at an audience of around eight years and over, but I鈥檓 hoping it will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.鈥�

She added: 鈥楢lthough not specified in the book, it has a North-east location with regional influence through the fictional town of Hexbridge, which I derived from Hexham and Corbridge.鈥�

Gabrielle added: 鈥淎s a child I spent many summers on farms in Ireland with my family and cousins, so I鈥檝e incorporated childhood memories in the book. There were many influences in creating the main characters, who are a mixture of my own childhood, my friends and friends鈥� children.鈥�

There are also plans for a spin-off web game based on Alfie鈥檚 story and Gabrielle has set the MA Concept Art students a brief based on the book, to give them experience working for a live client.

She added: 鈥淲hen I worked in the gaming industry I got a thrill from seeing a game I鈥檇 been involved in creating on sale in a shop. With the book, the excitement is even greater as it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 all my own work and not just something I was a small part of.鈥�

As well as teaching, Gabrielle also directs 海角直播鈥檚 annual Animex games and animation festival, which attracts the cream of the animation and games industry who give talks and hold workshops.

Alfie Bloom: The Secrets of Hexbridge Castle was short-listed for both the Northern Writer鈥檚 Awards and recognised by literary magazine Mslexia's Awards in their unpublished categories. An excerpt from the novel also won the Friday Night Live Award at the 2013 York Writer鈥檚 Festival.

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