A CHEF from Saltcoats is hoping to cook up a storm following the publication of his first fiction novel.

David A Reid admitted it was a hard journey to get to this stage - though he cannot wait to see where it takes him now.

David's book 'Chap Door Runaway' only hit the market at the end of last month, after it was picked up by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Publishers.

And the author explained how he nearly gave up on the book before he got this far.

David commented: "The book started in 2014 so nine years ago, seven of which I took to write it.

"I lost it at one point from my PC and almost gave up, but after a while I started again and finished it.

"I would like to thank family and friends, for their support throughout these years."

David, who is a chef to trade, says his life outside the kitchens he has been working in for over two decades are part of what helped inspire his writing.

"When I'm off I'm very much a film and TV series buff," he explained.

"I have been described as having a good imagination so I'd say that's why I decided to write a book."

While he also drew inspiration from his childhood, playing the game chap door runaway which the book is named after.

David continued: "Growing up I played this game as did others, we found it fun and a good way to pass the time.

"But my thought process was that when playing the game, there's an essence of danger that as a child you don't realise till you are older.

"How do you know that the person who's door your chapping, isn't unhinged or is hiding secrets?

"Or worse wants to play a game of their own."

So this idea formed the premise of his debut novel - which he explained to the Herald.

David said: "The book is set in a coastal fictional town in the north of Scotland in 2001.

"In the book I focus on the residents of Hammers Avenue in Crystal Point. There are five children within the story, who live with their guardians. Four of the children start playing Chap Door Runaway.

"After a time an event occurs that causes a chain reaction, which intertwines the adult and children's lives in a horrific ways."

And though this book was a long time in the making, David very much hopes this isn't his last.

He added: "It is the start of a possible trilogy idea, and I'm currently working on the second one now. Who knows yet if a third will follow.

"In the future I would love it to be made into a show or film, that comes for my love of them so it be awesome to happen with something I had written."

Fancy reading David's book? You can pick up a copy online at - tinyurl.com/ChapDoorRunaway.