AN Essex-based author is launching her first published children’s book next week.

Sam Scott has been a writer on-and-off for around 14 years.

However, she hadn’t written children’s books until the idea came to her two years ago.

After meeting a young girl with a rare medical condition, Sam was inspired.

In her writing, she aims to encourage learning through fiction combined with real-life subjects, people, and places.

This led to the creation of her new book, Sophie Spirit and the Batting Manor Mystery.

The book, inspired by the young girl who Sam met, is about a deaf girl with a rare medical condition.

The main character, Sophie meets three spirits who she befriends and helps to fight the evil forces working against them.

Sam has signed a three-book deal with Stanhope Books, this being the first instalment in the series.

She said she may reveal Sophie’s rare medical condition at the end of the trilogy, but for now it will remain a mystery.

The first book is published next week, with a book launch celebrating the occasion at the Prince of Wales pub in Great Totham.

Sam also has a special surprise in store for guests at the launch on Saturday, August 14.

For more information on Sam and where to find her new book visit GoodReads.