Oxfordshire author celebrates publication of debut novel

S.J. Poyton, who was educated at Northbourne and Manor primary schools, Didcot Girls School, Dicot Sixth Form, and Banbury and Bicester College, launched her middle-grade novel Mammoth Rider in March.

The book was published after 19 years of Poyton’s dedication to writing several books and seeking publication.

Set in an alternate modern reality, the story features mammoths brought back by scientists to combat climate change.

The protagonist, Ash Grimes, grows up in the Arctic research centre that revived the species and dreams of becoming a mammoth rider like her father.

However, taming the wild mammoths proves challenging, and Ash finds herself in a race to protect a rare white mammoth calf from a trophy hunter, with the help of her friends Ruby and Jack.

The book was launched at Waterstones Trafalgar Square, and Poyton has since been engaging with children at school events across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, and Oxfordshire, as well as at the Natural History Museum in Oxford.

Poyton, who is neurodiverse with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia, faced additional challenges on her journey to publication.

Despite these hurdles, she has expressed pride in Mammoth Rider, which features a neurodiverse protagonist and is designed to be highly readable, in line with the National Dyslexia Association’s guidelines.

Poyton hopes that the book’s blend of science and action will captivate even the most reluctant readers.

Mammoth Rider is available from all online retailers.