Just published a new novel for young people – about 10-15 years of age – on Amazon KDP. It’s quite ambitious, about a boy who finds himself in an underground world of strange creatures, outlandish characters, new friends and villains. The most difficult part – though also most enjoyable – was creating this new imaginary environment where I could have included anything. The problem was, despite the fantastic nature of Wormwold, it also had to make logical sense, at least by it’s own norms.

Alfie Pike discovers Wormwold, a secret underground civilisation, after breaking into a derelict house said to be haunted. He finds himself in an ancient landscape and soon fighting for his life against a wild boar but is t,hen saved and captured by a warrior tribe. Escaping with another boy, Brenan, he meets the sorceress Vervain who encourages Alfie on his quest to help find a cure for his little sister who has been poisoned by a criminal gang. The antidote can only be found in a special pond deep beneath the frozen Alaskan tundra which requires a long arduous journey.

Alfie meets several other characters, all with interesting life stories, who help him on his way. Wormwold has been carved out by giant worms over hundreds of years, producing a huge network of tunnels serviced by high-speed tube trains, or Express Pods, reaching around the world. However, although the local area of Wormwold is peaceful and ordered, many other parts are lawless with enemies out to destroy Alfie’s expedition and thwart his attempts to obtain the antidote.

Along with the human characters, there are also many strange creatures such as giant insects, extinct animals including dinosaurs and other hybrids, many developed through genetic engineering. In some ways Wormwold is more technically advanced than our world and initially Alfie loves it but learns that Utopia has its faults and, in the end, is glad to return home. Alfie is successful in his quest but in a final twist it is left open as to whether Wormwold really exists or not. A sequel is possible however, with Alfie reunited with the old gang to meet new challenges and adversaries.

Wormwold was inspired by the Lambton Worm, an old story from County Durham not far from my home in Newcastle.Whisht! Lads, haad yor gobs, an aall tell ye’s aall an aaful story Whisht! Lads, haad yor gobs, an’ aa’ll tell ye ‘boot the worm. Song in dialect by C.M. Leumane – 1867