A father-of-two from Lancashire, who once believed his dyslexia would prevent him from ever writing a book, has become a published author whose debut work sold out within two days.
From Bedtime Story to Bestseller
Arron Taylor, 38, from Chorley, works at Derian House Children’s Hospice. His children's book, 'The Motor Moles', was released on January 2 and completely sold out within a remarkable 48 hours, prompting an immediate second print-run.
The story began as a personalised bedtime tale for his own children, Lucas and Alice, who both feature as characters. "I first started writing the book when my son Lucas was born. Then picked it back up when Alice came along," Arron explained.
Turning a Challenge into a Strength
Arron, who has dyslexia, used his own experiences with learning differently to shape the book's creation. While studying, he found writing a children's story more enjoyable than essays. He was drawn to stories with repetitive words and rhyming structures, which helped him understand punctuation and retain narrative flow.
"That’s what I wanted to achieve in ‘The Motor Moles’," he said. "I enjoyed the challenge trying to think of rhyming words that would fit the theme throughout the book."
His journey represents a huge personal triumph. "When I left school, I couldn’t write a paragraph. I was told university wasn’t for me," Arron recalled. "So not only have I been to university and got a degree, but I’ve written a children’s book. I’ve proven something to myself if anything else."
Inspiring Others and Giving Back
Arron's professional background working with children and young people, including his current role at Derian House Children’s Hospice, was a key inspiration. Colleagues have been hugely supportive, buying copies of the book, and he has spent time reading it to some of the young people at the hospice.
His primary hope is that his success will motivate others. "If my story inspires other people who have dyslexia – or any type of learning disability – to have a go, that would be absolutely fantastic," he stated. "I think if you really want to try something, but there are barriers in your way, you should try to do it anyway."
'The Motor Moles', illustrated by Peter Kennedy and published by Austin Macauley Publishers, is now available again and can be purchased in the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand from major booksellers including Amazon and Waterstones.
