OUT of all the industries to be decimated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the travel industry was arguably one of the sectors hit the hardest.

Thousands of people who worked in travel lost their jobs last year due to the restrictions placed on travelling caused by the Covid outbreak preventing people from booking trips.

Tom Dumbrell, who lives in Copford, was one of the many workers in the sector to be made redundant last April.

However, he saw the redundancy as an opportunity to fulfil his ambition of writing and publishing a novel.

A year on from his redundancy Mr Dumbrell, 33, has now released his debut novel titled The Look of a King.

He said: "The book is a realisation of a lifetime dream and has been well received thus far.

"The book itself is a fast-paced adventure story but one which pays homage to classic fantasy tales and will appeal to fans of modern classics such as A Game of Thrones."

Mr Dumbrell started writing the book a year ago when he moved from London back to Colchester with his wife Breana who also lost her job in the travel industry.

"I had always wanted to write a book and without the pressure of work I had the time to do it," he said.

"It also helped that I woke up with an idea and was able to outline 18 chapters off the top of my head - call it divine inspiration.

"Lucky for me my wife is also a professional editor, so while I literally woke up one day with the idea, she helped me to hone this idea into a book - it was a real team effort."

Novelist - Tom Dumbrell has released The Look of a King

Novelist - Tom Dumbrell has released The Look of a King

She has used the book to launch her own editing business called Bee, Your Editor.

Since publishing his book, copies have been sold in the US, Australia, Mexico and throughout Europe.

"Perhaps the best part however was when Red Lion Books in Colchester agreed to take and display the book so wonderfully," Mr Dumbrell added.

"We try to support them as an award winning local bookshop but they have also been fantastic in supporting me and it was a privilege to see my book on the shelf beside the authors that I adore."

The cover for the book was also designed locally by Chilligraphics in Coggeshall.

But Mr Dumbrell's writing endeavours did not stop on the completion of The Look of a King, as he went on to write the sequel and is working on the third and final book at present.

The novelist is now working back in the travel industry as a sales director for Swan Hellenic, a cultural expedition cruise line which is relaunching in November.

He added: "I know many that haven’t been as lucky and it has been an opportunity for us to explore new careers and in many cases, new hobbies."

To find out more about The Look of a King visit, https://amzn.to/3en1AIF.