Author’s new book, City of Birds

The new book by Chichester author Elisha Pickett – who writes as Elisha Reids – began with her own panic attacks.

Her debut novel City of Birds is aimed at the 16+ age group, offering a dy stop ian romance with action and adventure. It is available on Amazon now.

Elisha explains: “I had a difficult time at work and it led me to have very bad panic attacks so I had to quit for my own health. I then developed social anxiety so I couldn’t really leave the house. I felt so alone in my brain, but the thing that helped me was writing down my thoughts and feelings. It was my coping mechanism, almost like a sort of journal.

“Somehow, as I kept writing my feelings, I created characters and a made-up world, and I decided to go along with it.

"My writing developed into an actual story without me even realising at first.

"I kept writing and started to develop my ideas, my characters, every plot point. It is a fictional book, but it is laced with so much of my own pain and trauma that I had gone through.

“City of Birds is aimed at new adults. There are topics of violence and strong language, so I wouldn’t aim this book for anyone under 16. It is a dystopian romance so if you like books like The Hunger Games I think you would enjoy mine.

I plan to write a series of at least three books. My characters’ stories are not over yet and I have so many ideas for where to take them.Ilovedwritingthisbook.It was like an escape from the outside world.

"I enjoyed writing every scene description, every longing glace, every snarky comment my main character said. It comes sonaturally to me to write. In my dark est time, I found my passion of writing and storytelling.”