A WILTSHIRE-BASED author invites you to Salisbury, but not as you know it, in his debut novel Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars.

Ryan J. Hamshaw, 34, is set to release his debut novel,  Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars, on November 5, giving literature-lovers something else to remember, remember.

Although now living near Warminster, the long-time Salisbury resident's story follows 17 year-old Liam O'Connor defend Salisbury's fictional twin, Sarumbourne, from the Dark Friars.

Ryan, who works in digital marketing for an arts and education charity, said: "I wanted to bring that sense of wonder into Sarumbourne, where good and evil clash in the shadows."

Ryan J. Hamshaw is set to release his debut young adult fantasy novel Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars on November 5 2024 (Image: Ryan J. Hamshaw) Read more: A. F. Steadman thanks Waterstones after Skandar book signing

Ryan's slice of young adult fantasy has been described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Heartstopper, which the author agrees with.

Speaking to the Journal, Ryan said: "I always loved Buffy, but I thought Buffy never had enough queer characters."

The writer wanted to retain as much creative control as possible because he was determined to write a more representative fantasy full of diverse characters, with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community Ryan is a part of.

As well as challenging representation, the author wanted to challenge stereotypes presenting gay men as weak by giving Liam superstrength.

"I found, with a lot of queer stories on television or in books, where there are gay characters, but they're side characters, or they're weak, or they're implemented as weak in some way.

"People who read this, whether they're gay themselves, or not, can see a queer character and see them as strong."

Ryan first conceived his idea for what will be, at least, a five-book series in 2009, when he was at Wyvern College and drew on his experiences for the book.

He began writing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, despite being dyslexic, whilst sorting out his then new house with his husband, Richard.

Crafting his fantasy world the writer takes inspiration from places in Salisbury, not just the city itself, with the Haunch of Venison turned into The Seven Angels, which serves as the headquarters of the heroic Keepers.

The novel, inspired by Salisbury, is set in the fictional city of Sarumbourne, where a group of teens must protect the world from the sinister Dark Friars (Image: Ryan J. Hamshaw)Read more: Retired teacher writes murder mystery set in Salisbury

Ryan told the Journal about his passion for the arts, including writing, theatre and film.

Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars will be out on November 5. It is available to pre-order in paperback online from The Great British Bookshop, Waterstones, Foyles, and Hatchards.

 The Kindle edition is available to pre-order on Amazon.