His fifth book published

“This is the final installment in a trilogy. Every time I finished a book, it stayed with me and something in the novels made me curious which eventually lead to another book. So after reading this book, there won’t be any loose ends anymore,” said Macaskill of his craft.

The novel, which is set during the Anglo Boer War and begins in Scotland, took the author 18 months to complete.

“I did a lot of research, like with all my previous novels, which I love doing. I read a very thick book on the Boer War in which I rediscovered many things I learned in school, but had forgotten. I read a lot about the history of Scotland too.”

His debut novel King’s Gold was published in 2003. “I started writing this story in 1975 while living in Zimbabwe. I came to 200 words but did not go further. Then at the end of 1999 I had a new millennium resolution and decided I am going to continue this book.”

While working full-time in the building industry he completed his first novel and was already working on his second one when he retired. “I always wanted to write. I was 12 when I started writing poetry. Quite often teachers would complement me on my writing. However, I did not get a distinction for English in matric at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth and my mark for Afrikaans was even higher, funny enough.”

Macaskill is a passionate reader and is a fan of Jeffrey Archer and John Gordon Davis.

He believes it is very important for a writer to be a reader beforehand. His ink has not stopped flowing. “My next book will be totally different – it will be about bowls. I have been playing this sport for forty years and played it provincially for 17 years. It will be light and humorous,” said Macaskill.

Details: glennallanmacaskill@gmail.com or www.crestpublishing.co.za