DIY author

Local writer Peter J Murray will be in Waterstones today to sign two books he’s published himself. The former Cheam School deputy headmaster writes children’s books, but as the market is very competitive, he spent £2,000 publishing his first book last year, Mokee Joe is Coming. It sold 12,000 copies, and the 53-year-old managed to persuade Waterstone’s Newbury manager Odette Bride to stock the book in the Northbrook Street shop. It sold out, and the rights were snapped up by Hodder.

It is Murray’s first public outing in Newbury since he moved back to his home town of Rotherham to focus on writing. The sequel, Mokee Joe Recharged is out today.