Daring Dystopian Debut Novel for Old Waconian Author

Melissa Welliver, Class of 2009, has recently got a publishing deal with Agora Books for her novel for teens The Undying Tower. Set in England, in a dystopian future, the book follows protagonist Sadie as life changing events force her to rethink everything she knows about a small group of the population who have stopped aging: “The Undying”.

After leaving CHS Melissa went on to complete a BA Honours degree in English Literature and History from the University of Leeds and an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester University.

We caught up with the newly-signed author to find out more about the inspiration for her novel and how her time at CHS influenced her writing career.

“I started writing The Undying Tower series in 2016, in the face of Brexit and a year after the death of a close friend. I wanted to explore the prospect of immortality, especially from the point of view of a girl about to start her life, and whether it would be a blessing or a curse. A post-Brexit, totalitarian Britain seemed a distant enough fantasy setting at the time, yet here we are, all these years later! And now I can dedicate this book to that friend, Caroline, who always pushed me to write at my very best.

CHS had a big impact on the writing of my debut novel. I was lucky enough to have Mr Westbrook, my English teacher, for my last four years at school. He was a wonderfully creative teacher and pushed us to use our words to make a difference. Mrs Gardner was also a huge influence, helping me with an essay on dystopian fiction for my A Levels which ignited my love of the genre. I must also give a big shout-out to Mr Pagan, my supportive form tutor in sixth form, and Mr Axon, my super politics teacher whose teachings certainly appear in this novel.”

The Undying Tower is due to be released in October 2021 and is the first in a trilogy. We can't wait to give it a read!