Nelson teacher's new book is spellbinding read (From Chorley Citizen)

Nelson teacher's new book is spellbinding read

8:30pm Wednesday 17th February 2010 in

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A TEACHER from Nelson is aiming to emulate JK Rowling after seeing her first children’s book published.

Mum-of-two Hamera Tabassum juggles her time between looking after her children, working at a school and writing children’s stories.

The 32-year-old has fulfilled a lifelong ambition after ‘Selina Silk And the Quest for the Roiden’ – part one of a trilogy – was published. Hamera, whose late father Raja Tabassum was also a published author, said it had been her dream to follow in his footsteps.

The book follows the adventures of Selina, a teenage girl who lives with her mum and nana and is grieving the death of her younger sister.

It also includes elements of magic and fantasy which Hamera says will appeal to fans of the Harry Potter series. The former Edge End High pupil, nicknamed ‘Storyteller’ by her dad as a child, said she had always had a vivid imagination.

She started jotting down ideas for the trilogy around five years ago after taking ‘inspiration’ from him.

“When I was young I was always making up stories on the spot and my dad said many times that I should write something,” she said.

She added: “My dad was an academic who wrote poems and short stories and he really pushed us to make our mark on the world.”

Hamera studied at Nelson and Colne College and achieved an English Language degree from the University of Manchester.

The single mum went on to teach English at the college and now works at Stoneyholme Primary School, Burnley.

Hamera said her daughter, Sanah, 14, and son, Anneq, 12, both loved her books.

She said: “My son isn’t a big reader but my daughter is a real bookworm.”

Her book has also received five-star ratings from readers who have bought it online.

Hamera’s ‘author surname’ is Ashford, after the Nelson street where she grew up.

She said her books included ‘subtle’ references to people and places she has encountered in Pendle.

Work on a second instalment of Selina Silk is already under way.

Hamera added: “So many people ask me if I would like to be the next JK Rowling and of course that would be absolutely fantastic.”

l Selina Silk And the Quest for the Roiden is available at Badger Books, in Keirby Walk, Burnley, and all major book retailers.