Jan takes readers on a wonderful journey

The new novel penned by Ballymena native Jan Carson takes the reader on a very strange journey.
Ballymena authoress, Jan Carson, who has just published her first novel, Malcolm Orange Disappears  INBT-22F-JAN CARSON 2.Picture by Brian MorrisonBallymena authoress, Jan Carson, who has just published her first novel, Malcolm Orange Disappears  INBT-22F-JAN CARSON 2.Picture by Brian Morrison
Ballymena authoress, Jan Carson, who has just published her first novel, Malcolm Orange Disappears INBT-22F-JAN CARSON 2.Picture by Brian Morrison

Entitled ‘Malcolm Orange Disappears’, the book tells the tale of a young boy who goes on an epic trek across America - while dealing with the rather worrying problem that he is physically disappearing at the same time!

For Jan, a former Cambirdge House pupil, says: “I have currently written about 200 short stories and it took me about three years of writing pieces which weren’t quite up to scratch before I started to get published. Off the back of those, I wanted to have a go at writing a full novel and this is my first one.”

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In addition to being recognised at a gifted writer, Jan is also a talented playwright who has also had two of her own productions staged in the last year.

The first was based on the Ophelia character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and performed by the Fickle Favours Theatre Company at the Black Box in Belfast.

This was followed by ‘Boat’ which explores the fear of water as told by the cast of Accidental Theatre, and was enjoyed by audiences at the Lyric Despite her success to date, Jan admits to feeling ‘overwhelmed’ by the publication of her novel and round of promotion that is needed.

It will be officially ‘launched’ at the Ulster Hall where Jan works as Community Outreach Officer tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6.30pm.

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She will be ‘reading’ at the Black Box as part of the Belfast Book Festival on Tuesday 10th June.

On Thursday, 26th June, she will be coming to Ballymena Library to link up with other writers as part of an event organised by the Northern Ireland Arts Council.

That will be followed by a book tour taking in 14 cities in the United States throughout September/October.

What’s more, Jan has also made a start on her second novel.

‘Malcolm Orange Disappears’ is available now from all good bookshops including Waterstones and Easons. You can also buy it from Amazon for £13.99.

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