Vale councillor Gwyn John marked the launch of his debut work, The Boy from Amroth, with a book signing at Nickleby’s Bookstore in Llantwit Major.
The coming-of-age novel is set in 1950s west Wales and follows the life of Joe Jackson.
Councillor John said: “It tells the story of Joe Jackson who is born in scandalous circumstances in a small Welsh coastal community.
“His mother’s greatest wish is for him to become a success and a split-second decision on a local beach changes his life forever.
“I’ve always loved visits to West Wales so I decided to set the novel in the Saundersfoot and Tenby area.
“1950s and 1960s Wales is a fading memory and I wanted to give people an idea of what it was like to grow up at that time.”
Although this is Councillor John’s first novel, it is not his first time in print.
Five years ago, he published The Wrong Shaped Ball, an autobiography that reflects on his 60-year involvement in football and the revival of Llantwit Major AFC.
Councillor John said: “It was a pleasure recalling all the great characters and matches in local South Wales football.
“It also highlighted the culture clash that existed at that time between football and rugby.
“I caught the writer’s bug and decided to write something that set my imagination free – using incidents and people I’ve known over the years as an inspiration, although the characters in the novel are all fictional.”
He feels that the 1950s were a “special time” in Wales and aims to recreate that feeling with this release. He describes The Boy from Amroth as being filled with drama and unexpected turns.
Councillor John is already planning a sequel.
