A WRITER hoping to encourage young adults to read his first novel will leave free copies on random seats of trains as they set off on long journeys.

Self-published author Ian Hornett - who left his full time job as a primary school teacher to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a writer - is getting inventive in his quest to promote his book.

Quarton: The Bridge is a sci-fi epic which centres on the quest of a young scavenger, initially surviving in the ruins of London.

Today Mr Hornett, who lives in Mile End, Colchester, will visit all ten of London’s mainline railways stations to leave free copies of the book on the seats of trains setting out on lengthy journeys.

He hopes young adults will read the novel and post reviews or comments online.

“It’s a tough competitive market and I don’t have the muscle of a publisher behind me,” he said.

“I am having to step well outside of my comfort zone to try everything I can to get Quartron in front of as many readers as possible.”

Mr Hornett, who worked for ten years at Gosbecks Primary School in Colchester, has also put up adverts on the fence outside his home and stuck them to notice boards at universities.

He has posted leaflets about his novel through doors and handed them out at railway stations during rush hour.

He says he has even pitched the book to his dentist, chiropractor and pest controller, as well as visiting schools to talk about writing creatively.

More recently he enlisted the services of his 79-year-old mother, Gladys, who has persuaded many of her friends and acquaintances to buy the book.

“I’ve had a great reader response because it’s a pacey story with many twists and turns,” he said.

“But I’m always keen to get more feedback.

“Hopefully people going on a long train journey will be looking for a good read and will be tempted to try it.

“My great train giveaway encourages readers to post reviews or simply get in touch via my social media channels to say they are its new owner.”

Starting from scratch a few months ago, Mr Hornett has already sold hundreds of copies of his novel via Amazon and the Red Lion book shop in Colchester.

To buy Mr Hornett’s book on Amazon, search for Ian Hornett Quarton: The Bridge.