Local author Alan Shea wrote The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin whilst sitting in the Costa coffee shop, upstairs at Waterstone's in Chelmsford High Street. He began his career as a worker on London docks but later went to university and became a teacher, where his love of storytelling found an eager audience, most recently at Kings Road Primary School, where he taught for 12 years until his retirement in 2000. The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin is set in the streets and homes and bombed out buildings of London's East End, just after World War II - the streets where Alan spent his childhood. Deeply evocative of post-war London, beautifully written, by turns thrilling and sinister, it is a story of courage and friendship in the face of evil, and extraordinary happenings to an ordinary girl. '...a clever and original novel that builds to a most satisfying climax.' - NINA BAWDEN, author of Carrie's War '...a pleasure to read' - MICHELLE MAGORIAN, author of Goodnight Mr Tom The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin will be launched on World Book Day, 6th March 2008, at Waterstones, High Street, Chelmsford. Alan Shea is available for interview. Published by 6th March 2008 THE AMAZING MIND OF ALICE MAKIN paperback, 978-1-904442-32-5 (5.99) To arrange an interview, or for further information contact Gemma Fletcher at gemma@doublecluck.com or 01373 454488, or Mary Byrne at mary.byrne@virgin.net, 020 7729 6359
