A queer author who went to Crispin School in Street has turned the myths of Somerset on their head in a bold new fantasy novel that's already making waves across the UK and Canada.

Alexander Paul Burton, who was raised in Catcott and went to Crispin School in Street, has released The Hollow Vale – a queer-led epic set in a fractured kingdom inspired by Roman Britain, Arthurian legend, and the landscape of Somerset itself.

Launched for Pride Month, the novel is described as a "love letter to the West Country — with all its ghosts."

But it's also a story about memory, estrangement, and finding your place in the world when the old stories don't include you.

"Kids like me weren't meant to write fantasy books," Burton says. "But we're doing it anyway."

Born in Bridgwater and now based in Toronto, Burton has reimagined the folklore of the Mendips, Glastonbury, and Avalon as a world of crumbling citadels, haunted vales, and hidden strength. The story is told through the eyes of outsiders and women trying to hold on to a fading culture in the aftermath of collapse.

"This isn't about flashy magic," he adds. "It's about memory, grief, and what we carry with us — even when we leave."

The book is the first in a wider project known as The Tharion Cycle, which includes hand-drawn maps, original music, and lore essays. A limited edition hardback with gold detailing and extra artwork is due out later this year.

Burton has also been quietly donating copies of The Hollow Vale to schools across Somerset, including Westover Green Primary and Catcott Primary, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ students. It's part of a wider mission to show that fantasy fiction isn't just for mainstream heroes — it's for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider.

Entirely self-published, the novel was created without the backing of a literary agent or publishing house. Burton, who has spoken openly about focus challenges and using AI tools to support his writing, says it's proof that you don't need permission to tell your story.

"I grew up near Glastonbury, surrounded by myth — but never quite seeing myself in it," he says. "This is me putting myself back into the story."

Copies of The Hollow Vale are available now in paperback, hardback, and digital formats from local bookshops, Waterstones, and online retailers including Amazon. Music from the world of the book is also streaming now.

"It's mystical, dark, and full of hope," Burton says. "And unapologetically gay."