Autistic 11-year-old East Belfast schoolboy wowed by 'amazing' response to first published book

An autistic 11-year-old boy from East Belfast has written and published his first book that he created after being inspired by a joke that his teacher made in class.

Elan Watson has released his book 'In the Heart of Belfast' which tells the story of how the city descended into panic after the water supply became poisoned by toxic waste coming from a nuclear power plant before turning into a murder mystery.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Elan said that he got the inspiration for the book from a joke that his teacher at Loughview Integrated Primary School had made saying that he has always wanted to write a book and has been thrilled with the reception that it has received.

Read more: YouTube star Adam B to feature in new RTE children's show

Read more: Carl Frampton on swapping the boxing ring for a football pitch to becomes daughter's coach

Elan said: "Earlier this year we were in school and our teacher told a joke that got me thinking and when I got home I thought I would write a book around the topic. I have always had quite a good imagination and when I got started writing the book I really enjoyed it.

"In the Heart of Belfast is a story about the water supply in Belfast becoming poisoned by a nuclear power plant and when NI Water cut the supply in order to fix the problem everyone starts panicking and bottle water is flying off the shelves and people can't get plane tickets out of the country.

"Then it is later discovered that someone at a filtration plant had been pushed into the toxic sludge with police then looking for the murderer.

"Altogether it took me about two days to write the book, but this was over the course of a month because I had school and other things that took up my time.

"It has been amazing to hear how much people have enjoyed reading the book and I am already being asked if I can write another one!"

Elan's mum Naomi said that she was very proud of her son for writing a book at such a young age and people have been shocked to hear that such a complex and mature story came from an 11-year-old.

She said: "We are all so proud of Elan and the work that he has put in not only writing his own book but actually getting it published and sold on Amazon as well.

"People have been amazed that such a young boy could come up with a story like this and it has been wonderful to see so many people praising his book and encouraging him to keep writing."

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.