Authors give backing to charity anthology for Alzheimer's Society

Around 20 authors visited Southcart Books, in Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, to read their short works of fiction.

The event was organised by local publishing group, The Penguin's Head, to highlight the talents of local authors and raise money for charity.

The pieces, read out to around 50 customers who visited on the day, are to be included in an anthology and published as an eBook on Amazon.

All proceeds will go to The Alzheimer's Society.

The Penguin's Head was created by three friends, James Josiah, of Walsall, Rob Grimes, of Derby, and Neil Sehmbhy, of Wolverhampton, and supports authors in becoming published.

Mr Sehmbhy, aged 35, who is the team's strategic director, said: "There were all different genres of fiction read out from mystery to sci-fi.

"The authors were mainly from the Black Country and Wolverhampton but we had some come over from Derby and Manchester.

"We are hoping to put this anthology together by March and raise as much as we can for the Alzheimer's Society.

"Reading can improve someone with Alzheimer's quality of life.

"The meanings of written sentences can be understood and help prompt responses from even those who have difficulty handling verbal exchanges.

"Many people who were literate in their lives and had a passion for books, maintain their ability to read until the end stages of dementia.

"The eBook will be quite cheap and we are thinking of calling it Tall Tales."

He said if enough pieces of fiction were submitted by authors there was also a chance of printing hard copies of the book.

For more information, email thepenguinshead@gmail.com