AN author who describes Somerset as her “spiritual home” is returning to the county to give a series of talks to young writers and schoolchildren. 

Jae Malone grew up in Sherborne and later lived in Butleigh, near Glastonbury and Street, and has been inspired by local history and legends in her work.

Her ‘Winterne Series’ of fantasy adventures was originally aimed for children aged between nine and 15. 

However, the books have crossed over to adult readers and reviews have compared Jae’s writing to that of J R R Tolkein, Philip Pullman and J.K.Rowling.

The series currently contains four volumes. Jae is now writing what she believes will be the final book in the series, which is due for release this summer.

She has also written a historical prequel, From Knight to Knave.

Jae's research of the history of the Wells area, and the aspects detailed in the book, will form the basis of her talks at Wells Library on Saturday, March 25.

Somerset County Gazette: Jae Malone's Winterne Series of fantasy books.Jae Malone's Winterne Series of fantasy books. (Image: Jae Malone)

She will present two events that morning. The first will run from 10am to 11am and invite children aged nine to 14 to take part in her free creative writing workshop, ‘How to Write a Ghost Story’.

The next talk, held between 11.30am and 12.30pm, will cover three main topics referred to in From Knight to Knave. 

They are the Monmouth Rebellion and Judge Jeffreys’ last Bloody Assize, which took place in Wells following the defeat of James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth; Dr Robert Boyd of the Mendip Asyum, and the WWII prisoner of war camp at Penleigh. 

During her stay in the area, Jae will also give creative writing workshops to two year groups at a Glastonbury Primary school on the morning of Friday, March 24. 

Jae said: “I love coming back to this area.

“Although I now live in the East Midlands, I feel at home here in this part of Somerset where the history is so rich, and the legends are so vivid.” 

Jae’s children’s creative writing workshop and the talk are drop-ins, so booking is not required. For more information about Jae’s books and her background, visit www.jaemalone.co.uk or email her at jaemalone.author@gmail.com.