A debut author and Aberystwyth business owner has used lockdown to self-publish his first book, a collection of five fictitious tales where Welsh myths and legends and the “unique experience of a global pandemic” merge.

Richard Ireland, who owns a picture framing workshop in The Market Hall, Aberystwyth, with his wife, Jacqui, decided to use his free time during lockdown to write and self-publish his debut novel, All This Time.

“It has five tales set on the fictitious island of Cloverdragon (half Irish – half Welsh), situated in the middle of the Irish Sea,” Richard, who lives in Comins Coch, explained.

“The stories, all written and set in lockdown, share themes of humour and violence, pity and hatred, betrayal and pursuit.

“Stories that are touching, sad, suspenseful, and thought provoking.

“They tell the tales of a hit-man posing as a market trader fighting to do the right thing, a young boy with culinary dreams and love in his heart, three friends who just want a pint in a pub and secrets uncovered at Devil’s Head Lake.

“They are all linked by an inexplicable force. A force that will reveal itself in time – All This Time.

“Each story has a different feel (font style and chapter numbering) – emphasising the complex changing emotions felt by most people throughout lockdown.”

On the inspiration for his book, Richard said: “As a child I was always fascinated by the creation of new lands, not in a classical fantasy way so much, but more as a way to distort reality – just a bit, and be able to invent every tiny detail of the landscape.

“I have always been a fan of Alfred Hitchcock so the level of suspense and experimentation in my writing, I think can be attributed directly to watching some of those movies.

“So, together with a mixture of Welsh myths and legends, and the unique experience of a global pandemic – the scenarios were set, and I had time on my hands.”

While this is Richard’s first novel, the media and communications graduate has had an extensive creative career: “I have produced several radio plays and independent film projects and have participated in other projects as a sound productionist, actor, animator, videographer and photographer. 

“I have worked in various technical positions, both as a volunteer and professionally in the Theatre, was head designer for branding with a Tobacco company whilst working as photographic adviser for six years, and have had my paintings accepted for exhibition on a yearly basis.

“Writing a novel was next on my list.”

All This Time allowed him to “leave a mark” on the world but also to “document, through my characters, the events of lockdown pretty much as they happened”.

Richard’s father, Mike P Ireland, who was a lecturer in zoology at Aberystwyth University where he published over 50 original scientific papers and review articles, wrote five novels in his retirement in 1997 until his death in 2014.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Richard began writing after his death: “An act that both temperately took me away from the grim reality of grief and also brought me closer to him – a sort of shared driving obsession - albeit, posthumously.”

Richard hopes to publish the prequel to All This Time, entitled Eggshells, by Christmas.

He also said a spin-off from Eggshells is planned and hopefully a sequel to All This Time, which is currently untitled.

Copies will soon be available for global distribution via lulu.com – Amazon and Barnes & Noble – but can be pre-ordered directly from the author, dedicated and signed.