A PRIMARY school teacher turned author is giving a talk about her first book.

New writer Rachel Rivers Porter, from Belmont, published Kiss of the Tsunami before Christmas.

The 57-year-old became a full time writer after leaving her job at the Chorister’s School in September 2015.

She said: “I was teaching and I went on a writing course and I absolutely loved it.

“I always wanted to do it and I had some encouraging feedback.”

She added: “It’s an exciting time but I don’t know where it’s going. It feels right. The feedback has been brilliant.”

The book, which was longlisted for the Chicken House Children’s Fiction competition 2016, follows the story of two teens caught up in the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004.

Since its publication she has been working with schools across the city, including St Leonard’s, Framwellgate School, Durham School and the Chorister’s School and is also working on a new project.

She will give a talk and presentation at Belmont Library on Monday, April 3 at 6pm.