Ten titles and counting for Bluff author

BLUFF author, Leslie Hyla Winton Noble has released his newest book, Darx Circle at the ripe age of 78.
Noble’s novel was on display at the ‘I Am’ book launch on Friday, 16 November, hosted by Montlands library as part of the Ethekwini libraries and heritage department programme to promote local writers.

Leslie began his writing journey at the age of 34 years but only started writing regularly after he was 60-years-old.

READ: Launch spotlights local authors

“When I was on a three-month course in Johannesburg, I started writing a story about a cat in letter form to my two young daughters in Durban. They could hardly wait for each episode. A talented cousin of theirs offered to provide illustrations, and the Tabika books were born. This fired up my love of writing fantasy, and many more books followed – ten to date, not counting works in progress,” he said.

READ: Author remarks on evolution of the Bluff
His latest book, Darx Circle is aimed at young adults rather than children, as it is a complex fantasy with many challenging concepts. “It features a young African villager Dengana, a ‘mentally challenged’ boy Hugh, an obnoxious girl named Tyrentia, and a ‘fairy’ from Darx Circle called Lusi. During a wealth of adventures, conflicts and experiences, this group has to uncover secrets in Darx Circle that threaten to destroy all the ‘fairy’ lands and our world as well,” explained Noble.

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The author encourages the youth to read and start writing, as well as join book clubs. “I believe book club initiatives being considered by Durban Library Services as part of their dedication towards Durban’s achievement as being nominated as Africa’s only ‘UNESCO City of Literature’, will provide an excellent start to this. Challenging and fun activities, including mentorships by our wealth of local authors, should contribute greatly towards fostering reading and writing. In addition, my publishing company and its counterpart in Ireland propose running a youth writing competition in schools where the winning entries will be published in a book.
“Writing has made me wish that I had pursued this activity for my whole life, but perhaps experiences in other fields have
helped to mould me into being more effective at it. Now, I cannot imagine being without my writing, publishing and composing activities. Words and music are my passion. I just wish I could draw and paint!”