1:50pm Friday 15th August 2008
By Nick Yates, Business Editor
A BOLTON writer is hoping to become the next JK Rowling with her new heroine Hayley Hicks.
Jos Carlyle, aged 35, from Harwood, is planning to write a series of six children’s novels, which she hopes will rival the popularity of the Harry Potter books.
She has written the first book and is about to approach publishing houses in London with the hope of getting it published.
Ms Carlyle recruited Halliwell Road design firm Red Chilli to create a website for the book series and used Bolton University illustrators Dan Felton and George Brocklehurst to bring the characters to life.
Inspiration for the books comes from her daughter Nori, aged 12.
She said: “My daughter was a great inspiration. Hayley Hicks starts out as a 12-year-old and is 18 by the last book.
“Her character changes as she goes — from an innocent girl to a grown up woman making her own decisions.”
The first three of the six fantasy books are called Lightyears, while novels four to six are called Darkyears.
The story takes Hayley from London to the island of Bali, then beyond Earth into a fantasy world called Silverspace.
The story revolves around a desperate struggle to save all life from destruction in the fictional universe called the innerverse.
Munaf Ibrahim, creative director of Red Chilli, said: “Hayley is a brilliant character and bringing her to the internet has been an incredibly exciting project.
“There’s no doubt that she’ll be a success and we’re very pleased to have been involved.”
Ms Carlyle, who attended Egerton County Primary School and Turton High School, splits her time between Bolton and Bali, where she works with children on creating stories to promote sustainable living.
She said: “I haven’t taken the book to publishers yet but I have set up the website to get feedback. The website and illustrations give it an edge.”
The Hayley Hicks website is now online, and the first 500 visitors to comment will each receive a pack of limited edition character cards.
For more details, visit www.hayleyhicks.com.
nick.yates@thebolton news.co.uk
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