From children’s books to chilling fiction

At just 29 years of age, Carrickmacross author Lorna Lewis has already established herself as a successful self-published children's writer. Now, she is embarking on a new adventure with the release of her first novel, Ward Six, a psychological horror story that marks a significant milestone in her writing career.

Living outside Carrickmacross on the Dundalk Road with her family, Lorna balances her creative pursuits with her work as a weaver alongside Liz Christy in Annayalla. Finding the time to write was no easy feat, with the author often burning the midnight oil.

“I stayed up late working on the novel while working my main job,” she said.

The book took around a year and a half to complete, with much of that time devoted to refining and editing the manuscript.

“The editing took longer, really.”

Writing has been a constant part of Lorna's life. “I’ve been writing since I was about 12 or 13,” she explained.

Before turning her attention to adult fiction, she had already published eight or nine children's books, beginning while she was still in school and continuing throughout her college years.

Her love of the horror genre provided the spark for Ward Six.

“Watching horror films, reading them and my own imagination inspired it,” she said. Among the writers and films that influenced the book was Stephen King's, 'The Conjuring' series.

“The Conjuring movies and St Agatha were where I got a few ideas for Ward Six,” she added.

Described as a psychological horror novel, Ward Six explores themes including cults and other dark, unsettling elements. While careful not to reveal too much of the plot, Lorna said readers can expect a suspenseful and thought provoking story.

Some of Lorna's friends have already read the novel and their reactions have been encouraging.

“They've told me it made them think,” she said.

The novel’s cover artwork was created by Mags Kilcooley (Kooley Design), who has collaborated with Lorna on her children's books: “I gave her the idea and then she put the text and the images together,” Lorna explained.

Although Ward Six has only just been released, Lorna is already planning ahead. She has begun work on a sequel and hopes the story will eventually become a trilogy.

“I started writing the second part of it,” she revealed. “I’m hoping to have about three books in the series.”

The focus for now, however, is on the upcoming launch event. A book signing for Ward Six will take place in Carrickmacross Library on Monday, October 19 at 6.30pm, where Lorna plans to read an extract from the novel and speak about her journey as a writer.

She credits her family with helping her pursue her ambitions, particularly her parents, Lorna and Sammy Lewis, sister Victoria, also her editor Stephen Black.

Printed by Walsh Colour Print in County Kerry, Ward Six will be available to purchase for €20 at the Carrickmacross Library launch event. Lorna is also selling copies directly through her social media platforms and hopes to secure local stockists in the future.

For a writer whose creativity has already produced nearly a dozen published books, Ward Six represents a bold new step. And with two more instalments already planned, it may be only the beginning of an exciting new horror series from the Carrickmacross author.