A BARROW author has launched her third novel set in the town.

Blackthorn Wood is Paula Hillman's third novel which was written during the pandemic - the first novel the author wrote after leaving her teaching job. 

The book, set in How Tun Woods, tells the story of a former deputy head teacher recovering from the damage she suffered after workplace bullying and a drunken staff party that took a violent turn. 

Paula said: "This book is about adult girl bullying and I have to say I did see that in my teaching times and the effects that it can have on a person.

"It is about the anxiety that a subtle workplace bullying can cause an individual."

The book is already available in paperback version however the official digital launch is on November 27. 

The author said she already received 'great' reviews for her newly-released novel.

She said: "It has been a great year. The sales have been fantastic. 

"It is a lot of effort to write so when people give you feedback that they have enjoyed what you have written it is fantastic but I'm not bothered about the negative reviews either because it is up to people what they think of your writing.

"The Barrow people always ask when is the next one out and that's brilliant but I have got people reading from as far and wide as Canada, Holland, and America so the fan base is wide. 

"A lot of people that are reading away from Barrow have been in touch and said that they came from Barrow or visited Barrow, and I love reading about the place so that is an added dimension to it."

The author has announced that she is already working on publishing more novels in the next year.

For more information, visit: paulahillmanauthor.co.uk