THE University of Bolton's senior lecturer in creative writing has launched his new novel at Bolton Library.

Dr Simon Holloway has written a book about the theme of how easy it is to miscommunicate.

The Words We Use are Black and White centres around three intertwined love stories of protagonist Lucy, her brother Jean-Luc, and their childhood friend Fabrice.

Dr Holloway said: "It’s about miscommunication.

"The way we talk to each other, about trying to connect and failing."

The book is set in Evian, on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lucy sells tickets at the cinema.

In the hills above the water her brother believes himself happily married to a woman he once tried to find by swimming across the lake.

Into this relative stillness comes Alain, escaping Geneva’s necessity of human contact. But when he and Lucy begin a relationship it forces them all to reconsider the ways in which they try to talk to each other

The book has been put on the university’s reading list for English and creative writing students to tear apart in 2015.

The novel has come to the attention of Professor David Crystal billed as "the foremost writer and lecturer on the English language",

Prof Crystal said: "Holloway's intriguing characters struggle to communicate in a world steeped in images of language."

Dr Holloway added: "Hopefully every word reflects what the book is about. Crystal summed it up perfectly. I’m deeply honoured. He’s coming to the launch so I can thank him personally — fingers crossed."

The book has been published by Safkhet Publishing.

The book will be launched as part of the Live Literature series of readings, starting at 7pm and going on until 8.30pm

Admission is free.