A Birmingham policeman who juggles his day-job with life as a part-time author has penned a children’s book for a local charity.
PC Colin Evans has been writing as a hobby for the last 12 years but only began taking it up more seriously after taking a creative writing diploma in 2009.
‘Reginald Growl: Bodyguard Bear’ is the latest piece of fiction from the 50-year-old, who spends most of his time as an investigation officer based at Stechford police station.
But his first work, published earlier this year, was a far cry from life on the thin blue line and was aimed at a more grown-up audience.
Whimsical Passions was a partly-biographical and self-deprecating novel based on his own personal experiences of life in the 1970s and the twists and turns of a turbulent marriage. It became an eight part series, which Colin decided to self-publish online.
He then set about typing up, illustrating and marketing his first piece of children’s fiction, inspired by his own grandkids Riley and Lexi.
At the same time, Whimsical Passions began attracting buyers on the internet and there was one potential reader whose interest peaked when she noticed the name of the author.
“I had a message one day on Facebook,” said Colin. “It was from my childhood sweetheart Gail who’d searched for me after recognising me from the book − which was amazing. We met up again; I hadn’t seen her since we were teenagers and now we’re engaged. The wedding’s in November!”
It was after meeting his fiancée − and his mother-in-law-to-be − that Colin got the idea to use his first ever children’s book to raise money for charity.
“When I met Gail’s family, I found out that her mum works for Acorns Children’s Hospice and I thought it was a good cause so I decided I could put the two together.
“Although I wrote the book for my grandchildren; it’s suitable for everyone because it’s a great story which also combines elements of road safety. It’s only been listed for a few months and I’m still in the process of working with Acorns to try and market it.
“I also enlisted the help of three other officers, a member of police staff and local horror writer Dan Weatherer. The book would not have been possible without their additional stories.”
When asked how his colleagues feel about his part-time hobby, he said: “It certainly raises a few eyebrows! Word has got around though and I’ve been contacted by a few other police officers who’ve said they had always thought about writing.
“I just said to them ‘well give it a go and I’ll have a look’ − so they did and now I’m reviewing their books and even taking on some publishing for them too. There is a bigger project planned next year which I’m working on with authors across the country. This, I will reveal the details of soon.”
Lisa Kenway-Smith, community fundraising administrator for Acorns, said: “It’s fantastic that Colin has chosen to donate profits from his book to Acorns and a very kind gesture. Acorns relies on income from donations and fundraising to provide us with the majority of funds we need to operate so support such as this is vital.”
Reginald and Friends is available to buy online with all profits going to Acorns Children’s Hospice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reginald-Friends-Dan-Weatherer/dp/1495944859.
