A GOUROCK graduate is beginning an exciting new chapter in her life as she launches her first children’s book.

Megan Murray has devoted the last three years to writing and illustrating her captivating children’s Scottish history series ‘Maggie and the Magic Bookcase’.

The wordsmith from Weymouth Crescent says it’s a dream come true to release her first book in the series entitled ‘The Prehistoric Prologue’ next month.

She told the Tele: “The plan is to go right through Scottish history, so the books start in the stone age.

“The books are aimed at children aged between eight and 12.

“It’s a story book but the facts are embedded in the narrative so the kids won’t realise they are learning — hopefully they will be so caught up in the story.

“Lots of my family are in the teaching profession — my sister is a teacher and my mum is a special needs auxiliary so I got a lot of good input from them.”

Megan, who attended St Columba’s High in Gourock, says she’s always been a fan of JK Rowling and local author Cathy Macphail.

She said: “I remember Cathy came in to talk to us at school and that really inspired me when I was younger.”

But it wasn’t until she was 18 that Megan decided to pursue her dream.

She said: “When I was in sixth year I won a writing competition.

“The prize was to go out to Australia for six months and work on a farm.

“I wrote about my experience and really enjoyed it, so I realised that I wanted to write full-time.”

After returning home from Australia, Megan went to Glasgow University to study a degree in English, archaeology and Scottish history.

Since graduating, she’s devoted her time to researching, writing and illustrating her books alongside juggling two part-time jobs — as a joiner and a bartender at Gourock Golf Club.

She said: “I don’t have much of a social life because I have two jobs so that I can save up to self publish. But my mum and dad have been very supportive.”

Megan hopes her book will capture the imaginations of youngsters.

She said: “Maggie, the wee girl from the story, is a Gourock girl.

“The story starts and ends in Gourock, so there are local references.

“For example the Bluebird Cafe in Gourock is Maggie’s favourite place to go for ice-cream.”

To celebrate the launch of her first book, Megan has invited her family and friends to a party at Gourock Golf Club next month.

The first book in the Maggie’s Magic Bookcase series is released on October 1 and will be available to buy on Amazon.