AN AUTHOR from Stockbridge has published his first novel highlighting the positive impacts fishing can have on your mental well-being.

Incorporating his love for fishing, Will Shropshire has raised more than £24,000 for three separate charities supporting environmental issues our rivers face through the publication of his book, Silver Ghosts. 

The book tells the story of an Aberdeen teenager, Callum Anderson,  who has turned to regularly drinking alcohol after recently losing his father in an accident. After some encouragement, Callum develops a love for fishing and a bond with his grandfather through their shared passion for fly-fishing.

Will came up with the idea for his book pre-lockdown when his two children were 14 and 16 years old, so he thought that if he could write a book that would be of interest to teenagers that they would then try fishing and one day be interested in the environmental issues our rivers face. 

Then during lockdown it gave Will the perfect opportunity to spend time to decide on his book plot and to start writing so that he could help do his part to educate people on the wild salmon crisis by focusing on how fishing can benefit people. The book was then published on April 27 this year. 

He said: "I was happy when it was just my friends and family reading the book because they all know me and are very supportive, but when it went from the leap to the book being available to everyone that was a big step. 

"However, I have been really impressed with the feedback from people about the book and the reviews so far! So, I just now want to get the biggest cross-section of people to read the book as possible and hopefully, it will encourage people to help our rivers and give fishing a go." 

All money raised through people purchasing the book has been donated to charities: Atlantic Salmon Trust, Wild Fish and The River Dee Trust.

To buy Will's book, go to silver-ghosts.com