THE NEWARK ADVERTISER

Southwell Mike Skyner's latest work Chris Clotbo And The Conquest Of The Americas is a wacky tale of adventure

The latest book by a Southwell writer mixes humour and history in a tale of adventure in the Americas.

Author Mike Skyner describes his new book as a cartoon in words. He says that Chris Clotbo And The Conquest Of The Americas will appeal to children who enjoy adventurous and wacky tales, daft characters, plots with gory bits, and a soupcon of history thrown in for good measure.

After years as a psychotherapist working with dyslexic children, Mike discovered his inner child.

“My passion is to write humorous stories to encourage children, particularly reluctant readers, to discover the delights of reading and have fun,” he said.

Mike, who has dyslexia himself, enjoys writing poetry, as well as zany comic fantasy for children.

“Many years ago, as a small boy, when every third word I read was blank, I came across Lewis Carroll’s The Jabbowocky and Spike Milligan’s The Ning Nang Nong. I discovered a new world of nonsense and silly verse. It encouraged me to persevere, to overcome my difficulties with literacy.”

Years later, an inspiring tutor introduced Mike to Stephen Fry’s The Ode Less Travelled, and the techniques that make up what is called poetry or poesy. This led to the writing of adult poetry for pleasure and children’s poetry for fun.

His latest book follows the fortunes of fearless explorer Chris Clotbo, as he sets sail for The Americas in search of fame, fortune and the fabled gold of El Dorado.

The book is available from Amazon, Feedaread, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble.