CHILDHOOD dreams of writing a book have finally come true for an academic who is looking forward to seeing her first novel in print.

Gabrielle Kent, senior lecturer in Computer Games Development at Teesside University’s School of Computing in Middlesbrough, has worked in and around the games industry for around two decades.

And now having recently signed a three-book deal, her debut title is due to go on sale next summer. Called Alfie Bloom: The Secrets of Hexbridge Castle, it is published by Scholastic UK.

The series will follow the story of 11-year-old Alfie, who inherits a castle and discovers he carries an ancient magic which was hidden inside him more than 600 years ago. With the help of his two cousins, a shapeshifting solicitor and a flying bearskin rug, Alfie must keep the magic safe from one of his greatest adversaries.

Ms Kent said: “I’ve always loved reading and wanted to write a book since the age of six. I initially started writing this book about ten years ago, writing mainly during the summer months.

“The story has been described as Harry Potter meets Famous Five meets Roald Dahl, but unique in itself, which is an unbelievable compliment.”