Retirement living resident becomes published author after starting new hobby 

A resident at one of our retirement living communities has become a published author after taking up writing as a hobby. 

Kenn, who has been living at the scheme in Codsall for eight years, began writing his book Aractopus three years ago after two strokes had left him unable to work. 

A sci-fi fan, Kenn’s inspiration for the book came from his favourite films Alien and Predator. Realising his talent for writing and storytelling, Kenn started wondering if any publishers would be interested in his novel. 

The 62-year-old said: “Eight years ago I moved in here to recover after having my second stroke. 

“I took up writing as a hobby to keep me busy, I had no aspirations of becoming an author or getting a book published, it was just a hobby. 

“But a few months back I started wondering if any publishers would be interested.” 

Kenn’s first book in a three-part series, Aractopus, has now been published by Maple Publishers and is available for order on Amazon.  

Kenn, who previously worked in sales, said: “I’m shocked and it happened so quickly. From making that phone call to the book coming out, it’s only been about six months. 

“It’s made me think why didn’t I do it 30 or 40 years ago, but I was working a lot then travelling to different countries and wouldn’t have had the time. 

“I did so many different versions of the book and sent drafts to my family and friends for feedback. 

“I can’t believe it’s out there now and people all over the world can buy it. I never thought I’d see it as a published book.” 

Retirement Living Officer at the scheme, Sharon Allen, is arranging a book signing. 

Sharon said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. Over the last few years Kenn has been sharing with me the different versions of the story and it’s amazing to see it as a physical book.” 

The blurb to Aractopus reads: “Sixty-five million years ago the most powerful predators to walk planet Earth were wiped out. History believed a single meteorite crashed into central America, creating a catastrophe on a worldwide scale. Mass destruction swept the planet, and for centuries to come planet Earth was plunged into a dark and barren place resulting in an ice age which virtually destroyed all life. However… History was wrong, so very wrong! And due to the technological advancements of mankind, we were about to find out why.” 

The book is available online from Amazon for £12.99.