Barry Nugent wrote his first story at the young age of eleven and hasn’t looked back since.

In May he completed and published his first novel, Fallen Heroes, a ‘genre spanning’ tale which he describes as unusual in that it crosses many different genres: crime, espionage, the supernatural, classic adventure and other elements.

After a year spent trying to find a publisher Barry, Northampton, decided to not only self-publish Fallen Heroes but to do it online through Lulu.

‘I always thought the multiple genre nature of Fallen Heroes might be difficult to market and I was proven right,’ he explains.

‘I decided that instead of rewriting or shelving the book I would go down the self publishing route, as I really believed in the story.’

Without a publisher Barry is having to do all the promotional work himself: ‘It is time-consuming but does also give me a real sense that this is my work and whether it is a success or not depends on me and the amount of effort I put in.’

Barry currently fits his writing in around his job as a computer programmer and a weekly podcast he co-hosts, in his spare time, called Geek Syndicate, which takes a humorous look at today’s world of pop culture.

‘It’s sometimes difficult finding the time to write but I could never imagine my life without that need to put pen to paper.
‘It sounds like a cliché’ but it’s a part of who I am.’

Barry is one of many aspiring writers who the used critique service offered by the WN Home Study division: ‘I found it amazing how the critique gave my writing the kick-start it needed.

‘I would recommend it to anyone struggling with their writing direction.’

Ideas for the future include a sequel to Fallen Heroes as well as a Fallen Heroes special edition: ‘This would be like a literary DVD. It would include cut scenes (and explanations as to why they were cut), character profiles and sketches.

‘My ideas may not work at all but I’ve always seen writing as my chance to expand and push my imagination and then push it some more.’

Fallen Heroes is available from http://stores.lulu.com/fallenheroes