Community hub hero to have first book published

Cara L McKee's says she has drawn inspiration from all sorts of sources for her debut poetry collection - including a stone she discovered on Largs beach!

The local mum's new book will be launched on May 22.

Cara, who usually works in Largs library but is currently working in the North Coast community hub, was thrilled to discover that her publishing debut will beat lockdown.

There had been concerns it might not publish due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Yorkshire-based Maytree Press have confirmed the good news.

Cara had developed a relationship with her editor at Maytree Press, David Coldwell, last year when he chose her poem, 'My First Kiss', to publish on The Poetry Village website on Yorkshire Day.

After that she sent David some more poems and he approached her about pulling them together for a new book.

The poems are loosely themed around coming of age and the cover features the painting Ophelia by renowned British artist Annie Ovenden.

Cara, who is a former News columnist, was planning on doing some launch events in the local area but these are impossible due to lockdown.

Cara, 46, who is married and also serves on the Largs Academy Parent Council, said: "I am having an Instagram launch at 5.30pm on Friday when I will be doing some poetry readings and welcome any questions.

"I have three children Callan, 14, September, 12 and Ivy, who is almost 10, and have been helping them with home schooling.

"It has been great to be involved with the community hub at Largs Library too where I usually work. We have been helping people who are shielding who are having trouble getting hold of a prescription or whatever food supplies they may need."

"I have written one poem about a sailor after finding a particular stone on Largs beach. It is very exciting to have my first poetry collection published and I really hope that people enjoy it and take inspiration from it."

Go to www.facebook.com/caralmckee for more information.