First book out by Ed ... and it’s set in his hometown

ALMONDBURY-BORN author Ed Dyson has released his first novel today, set in his hometown of Huddersfield.

The light-hearted feel-good book, Friendship Never Ends, released under his pen name Ella Dyson, was inspired by pop phenomenon the Spice Girls.

The fictional release sees five high school best friends reuniting for a 20th year reunion, while facing the aftermath of a colossal fall out that took place in 1998 – when their Spice Girls tribute performance ended in disaster.

Journalist Ed, 30, who began his writing career at the Examiner with work experience 15 years ago, was signed earlier this year by Orion publishing, home to globally-successful authors including Maeve Binchy and celebrities such as Davina McCall.

In 2010 the writer moved to London, where he soon became one of the UK’s youngest ever showbiz columnists, editing Goss for the Daily Star, before leaving the column to work for The Sun newspaper’s showbiz team.

Ed left The Sun two years ago to focus on freelance journalism and his career as an author, with several new books already in the pipeline.

Speaking to the Examiner, the author explained why he chose to set Friendship Never Ends Huddersfield.

He said: “I was surrounded by hilarious people, especially friends and family, growing up, so I really wanted to inject as much of that humour, and classic Yorkshire wit and warmth, into the book as I possibly could.

“I figured the easiest way to do that was to set the novel in Huddersfield, and in particular, Almondbury High School, where I studied as a teenager. I just hope no-one sues!”

Copies can be ordered through Amazon from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Friendship-NeverEnds-Ella-Dyson-ebook.

Follow Ed on Twitter at @edwarddyson205.