An Abergavenny man who used to work as a carer in the town has published his first book.

The Waterfall Warrior is a fantasy novel written by Owen Lewis who lived in Abergavenny and attended local high school King Henry VIII.

Owen held a book launch at Waterstones in Bristol last week, and will be at St Michael’s Centre in Pen-y-Pound on Friday October 25 to talk about his debut fantasy novel and the release of an audio book.

Prior to attending Bristol University, Owen worked as a carer at My Day My Life in Abergavenny, a community organisation that provides opportunities for individuals to experience a fulfilled life by joining in citizen led community activity.

Speaking at his book launch, Owen said: “As long as I remember I have always wanted to write a fantasy book.

‘‘I grew up imagining and visualising all sorts of stories and ideas but I never really did anything about them other than entertaining myself.

“I used to listen to music a lot and enjoyed car journeys coming up with characters, plots and scenes whilst using the music to influence me. The melodies painted pictures in my mind.

“I have always loved stories but because of my dyslexia I used to find reading very difficult and it put me off.

‘‘I felt it was something I wasn’t able to be part of because of my disability.

“Nowadays I find reading easier and get full pleasure from it. I don’t let my dyslexia stop me doing what I love. The last few years I have really pushed myself.

“To make it possible for my stories to be seen or read I went on a Creative Writing course to learn the structure of storytelling.

‘‘I pushed myself to read and understand how stories are told, and put a lot of effort in.

“With my first novel, some of the ideas have been floating in my mind for a long time, some came in the process of writing it. I think I have always been a writer.

“I was a carer for a few years before I decided to head to university. I loved working with the clients but I knew that writing was what I had to do eventually. I plan to do two more and make this fantasy series a trilogy.

“I have another book I have written that is a completely different genre that’s a coming of age story that links in with the experiences I got from being a carer.”

Owen also writes for stage and screen and is currently working with his partner on a TV pilot due to come out soon, that they hope can then be made into a full series.

Abergavenny resident Denise Quarrington worked with Owen when he was a carer at My Day My Life, and was in attendance for the book launch in Bristol.

She said: “I am just so proud of Owen, he was a fabulous carer but I am so pleased he is following his dreams.”