South Warwickshire teenager Ray Colquhoun publishes first novel - and sequels are in the works

A Bidford teenager has published his first novel which has been influenced by his passion for anime – Japanese animation.

Ray Colquhoun, 18, has self-published After Void, an action and adventure story that tells the tale of a teenager possessed by a demon.

The project is one Ray has been working on for over four years. He said: “The book is inspired by a lot of anime that I like, so it’s got the same kind of vibes to it. I like the action, it’s very action orientated with magic and fighting.

“The premise of it is you follow the main character, Soel Kiranae, a teenager who’s been possessed by a demon. You follow him as he tries to become a paladin, which is another term for a soldier or warrior.”

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, After Void brings together technology and magic into a world where fighting monsters is commonplace.

“I’m re-reading it at the moment now that it’s actually in book form, which is exciting for me as a first-time author.”

Ray has been working on getting published for over a year.

“This has been a passion of mine for a long time,” he said. “I’ve self-published the book, so I haven’t gone to any agencies or publishers, although I did try at first. It’s a very difficult process, and it takes a very long time to sort out. My family helped a lot with that.”

Ray has been home-schooled since he was 14 due to suffering from insomnia and he also has autism.
“I haven’t been in school for a while, and it’s the same story with work. Because of what I have to deal with, it’s difficult trying to find any kind of work that wouldn’t sack me after a week or so through me not being able to make it in.

“Being an author and getting this book published, it was kind of my only real option at the moment to earn money.

“I’ve been interested in writing since I was a child and I’ve wanted to be an author for so long – before I even started writing this book.”

Ray is in the process of creating an online shop to sell the book. In the meantime he will be joining his mum, Tracey Williamson, who goes to Bidford market once a month to sell crocheted items she makes, to sell copies of the book.