Self-published Magherafelt author now has book in Waterstones

A Magherafelt native who took up writing during his retirement has found a new career as a self-published author.
Book cover for The Hare's Vision: A New Irish MythBook cover for The Hare's Vision: A New Irish Myth
Book cover for The Hare's Vision: A New Irish Myth

William A Methven’s debut novel, The Hare’s Vision: A New Irish Myth, is described as “a philosophical mystery and a romantic adventure” and is now stocked in Waterstones.

It traces the journey of an Irish monk in 575AD, from his hermitage in the Egyptian desert to Ireland, and has been called “a brilliant story” by the BBC’s Helen Mark. The main thing I wanted to do was to shine a light on this part of history, which doesn’t get written about very much,” William said.

“I wanted it to be believable and grounded in what went on at the time. I was always interested in history but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve had the time to focus on it.”

Former Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth centuryFormer Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth century
Former Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth century

Indeed, having previously worked as a business executive and environmental project manager, William, now based on the North Coast, is officially retired. But now a full-time writer however, he’s already working on his second book.

“I spent 25 years in a large corporation, working throughout the world - in Ireland, Switzerland, Norway and the Middle East,” he said.

“But I got tired of the corporate world and round about 2000, moved into the voluntary sector.

Then when I retired, I had time to start writing.”

Former Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth centuryFormer Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth century
Former Magherafelt man, William A Methven, has self-published a novel set in the sixth century

The Hare’s Vision first took root back in 2012, when William began researching Scottish ancestral history while living in Scotland. This led him back to Ireland and to St Columba, with the bulk of the story ultimately being based in Ireland.

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