Derry author to host online book launch next month for debut novel

Lauren Robinson’s debut novel ‘The Boy Who Saw In Colours’ had been due to hit the shelves on April 20. However, the date has now been pushed back to May 8.

The historical novel is set in Nazi Germany and the central character is a 12-year-old boy Josef, who is selected to go to one of Hitler’s elite schools.

Lauren spent years researching the book and started working on it when she was just 17.

The Derry woman said the new publication date is apt, given that it is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Lauren’s novel explores what it was like for people who were caught up in the ideology of Nazi Germany.

The main character, Josef, has a Jewish father and the boy is very conflicted about what side he should be on.

Lauren had numerous events set up to celebrate the launch of her debut novel, which have all had to be cancelled in light of the current restrictions.

“I will now be doing an official launch of the book online. I am hopefully going to be reading an extract and doing a question and answer session,” Lauren explained.

“The book is available for pre-order from mid April and at the start of May a book trailer will be released on my website and social media pages.”

Lauren said she feels a ‘sense of guilt’ that she continues to promote her book during the pandemic, but knows that reading has become incredibly important to people during lockdown.

“I have been working on this for so many years and I am so proud of it. I know that many people are relying on books and reading to get them through this and that book sales have gone up quite a bit.”

Lauren has been using the time to focus on what she may write next, something which she admits she hadn’t had the time to do.

“I think my next novel will focus on Irish history, particularly the history of Derry. I am from here and it would be very interesting to write about here,” Lauren said. “I enjoy writing historical fiction but many authors are branching out into different genres and if something is interesting enough I will tackle it.”

The Boy Who Saw In Colours will be launched on May 8 and can be pre-ordered from April 20. For more information or to take part in the online book launch visit www.laurenrobinsonauthor.co.uk or www.facebook.com/lauriethecolourful