POET & WRITING MENTOR LIS MCDERMOTT LAUNCHES HER FIRST NOVEL ‘HE IS NOT WORTHY’.

Poet and writing mentor Lis McDermott has published her first novel “He Is Not Worthy” – a tale of love, unrequited love and stalking.

The 70-year-old, who has already published eight books including poetry, short stories and an autobiography, launched her book at a sold-out event held at Marsh Farm Hotel, Royal Wootton Bassett recently (May 27). 

Lis said: “I’m so grateful to everyone who came along to my launch event and who showed an interest in my first novel. Not only was the event sold out, I sold out of novels on the night. Some of the authors I’ve mentored also came along to support me. It was a lovely evening.”

“He Is Not Worthy” is told from the point of view of a teacher, Rhi, who has an affair with a sixth form student and then finds herself becoming an object of obsession for a stalker.

Lis is herself a former teacher. She worked in education for 34 years before becoming a professional photographer and writer and was also the music adviser in Wiltshire supporting schools around music education. 

“This story is not based on personal experience! The idea came to me when I was watching a thriller about a stalker and it made me think about how a person could become obsessed with someone else, truly believing there is a connection which simply doesn’t exist and that person may not always be ‘evil’. I also wanted to explore how being stalked impacts on a person’s daily life.” 

Lis also revealed on the launch night that she’s already researching her second novel which has a supernatural and ghostly theme.

“My next story is based loosely around a compelling love story from my own family history. I’m already researching various characters and will be starting to write within the coming months.”

“He Is Not Worthy’ published by SilverWood Books and is available here https://amzn.to/3M83X0P