Wildes Books is holding its first launch event and it promises to be a fantastical evening.

Barnard Castle-based author and editor Deborah Rose wrote Dragon Pearls when she was 14.

Now, ten years on, having graduated from the University of Chichester with a first in creative writing, she has republished it through Gatsby House.

“It’s a YA fantasy adventure about a 14-year-old girl who buys a charity shop necklace that leads her to a dragon,” said Deborah.

Since the new release, Dragon Pearls has reached No 10 in Amazon’s Sword & Sorcery Fantasy for Young Adults.

The launch event is at 7pm on Saturday, August 29, at Wildes Books (formerly McNab’s), Market Place, Barnard Castle.

“I’m hoping local readers, especially 12-16-year-olds who love fantasy, might enjoy hearing the story behind Dragon Pearls in person,” Deborah added.