Kilrea mum to launch debut children's book in Seamus Heaney HomePlace

A mum-of-two is set to launch her first children's book at an event in Bellaghy's Seamus Heaney HomePlace later this week.

Author Clair Quigg had always dreamed of writing her own books and finally decided to take the step ahead of her 40th birthday last year.

Her ambition was to have her debut book published before her 41st birthday – something which she achieved as the book went live on Amazon just one week before.

Clair, who lives in Kilrea, describes 'The Adventures of Keiffa and Po' as a 'vibrant and lively rhyming poem that gets across an important message in an exciting, engaging way'.

The book, which is best enjoyed by children aged between three and eight years-old, although older children will also understand the themes in it, tells the story of Keiffa and Po and was inspired by the cultural situation here across both sides of the community.

However, Clair says the book is also relevant to many other geographies in today’s society.

The book is already proving very popular with local schoolchildren at St Columba's PS in Kilrea who recently enjoyed a special reading from the author herself.

Clair, who is originally from the North West of England, works in a global strategy role for a large organisation, Marsh McLennan however she admits writing has always been her passion.

“I’ve written poems and stories for as long as I can remember, since I was at school myself but I have never had the confidence to do anything with them, and my dreams of being an author languished in the shadows along with my work,” she said.

“Approaching my 40th birthday, I decided that I would finally take action. With the characters of Keiffa and Po already formed, and elements of their first story written, I committed to publishing this as my first children’s book before my 41st birthday. It went live on Amazon exactly one week before.

“Writing for me is an escape, and I really enjoyed immersing myself in Keiffa and Po’s world, imagining what they might be getting up to and how they might react to certain situations. I spent a number of months thinking about it on and off - when out running, making the dinner, driving the kids around - and would jot down notes or lines of the poem when I got chance. When I finally sat down to write the story it came quite easily, it was done in two sittings of a couple of hours each. Publishing the book took much longer than I had expected though and was about six months from start to finish.”

Clair worked alongside illustrator Nicole Peronace who she said did a 'fantastic job' of bringing her characters to life from her very basic stick drawings and notes. Bronwyn, from Ballymena-based local business, Roche Design Studio, also supported Clair with her Instagram set up and book launch adverts.

Clair will officially launch her book at an event in Seamus Heaney HomePlace this Friday, November 24 between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Looking ahead to the launch, Clair says to have her book published and enjoyed by children is 'a dream come true'.

“It’s hard to explain the feeling I get watching kids read the book and talk about the characters, their favourite parts of the story, and get excited about future adventures that Keiffa and Po could have. It sounds corny but it’s actually a dream come true. The story has a strong message of inclusivity, overcoming bias and keeping an open mind, so if it can also help to shape how children think about the world around them, that’s an added bonus,” said Clair.
“Seamus Heaney Homeplace is a such a great venue and I’m definitely excited for the launch - although as someone who prefers to stay out of the limelight, there are also some nerves involved too.”