Family riddle at heart of former finance worker's book

Tuesday 22 August 2023

Former finance worker Keith Williams “never intended” to be a writer. He never even intended to write a book.

But, after stepping back from a career in finance which took him all over the world, and despite those intentions, his debut novel Beyond the Picture will be coming to the shelves of De Gruchy department store from 28 August.

With sales already in the hundreds on Amazon and e-book platforms, now he has made the decision to release the book in print.

On 31 August, a launch event will celebrate the release and provide an opportunity to hear more about Beyond the Picture with Keith in conversation with local broadcaster and author Cathy Le Feuvre.

Their conversation will explore the themes of the tale, how Keith brought his story to life, and decisions made along the way about publication.

Pictured: Keith Williams previously worked in finance.

Speaking to Express, Keith said that he had always played around with notes while travelling.

"But the main moment came when I took off from New York and the plane banked over Manhattan, and for some reason I wanted to write more about the whole experience. What I had seen, what I had felt. It was actually quite emotional."

Some time later, a story blossomed from that moment – "and it grew from there," he said.

Beyond the Picture follows Rob, a broken man, struggling with the tragic loss of his father and unwell mother and the fear that his wife might ask for a divorce.

When his mother presents him with a mystery to solve, much to the bewilderment of his family he goes on a journey to solve it. He didn't expect to solve it on the other side of the Atlantic or that it would turn his world upside down.

Pictured: The book's cover.

When he's already struggling, the newest piece of news could send him spiralling. He can't save his father, he can't cure his mother, but can he save his marriage? Going on the mission to solve his mother's riddle means he is able to come to terms with the cards life has dealt him. While it's a shocking revelation, this is the piece of the puzzle Rob needs in his life to move forward.

"It's more of a mystery," Keith said. "He's found a photograph, but what does it mean? It documents the experiences he's had, the people's he's met, trying to find the answers to his questions."

It took 15 years to reach a first draft, around working full time and other commitments.

"I sent it off to someone and they told me it was terrible, so I threw it away. A friend of mine then asked me why I had given up, and I tried to say that I was busy, and after a few more times writing it and tearing it up, I finally tried it another way."

"I employed an editor in the UK this time, who was a published writer herself, and she helped to guide me through the process. She told me it was really good. From then, I tried to learn more about writing, I wrote another draft, and we went from there.'

She asked when he would publish, and he realised he could self-publish without an agent.

While Keith said the publishing process was difficult, the Kindle sales started increasing. "I had sold several hundred before I knew it."

Now, another company has decided to publish the novel in paperback and hardback.

"It's gone from almost nowhere to something quite significant. At first, I just wanted something to put on my bookshelf, it was never aspirational, but now it is."

Keith is trying out new novels now, he's discussing this with his wife "doing this full-time."

"Now that Beyond the Picture is published in hard and paperback, it's wonderful to be able to share the story further with family, friends and supporters at home in Jersey, for starters. I look forward to meeting friends and readers initially at the planned events and in the months to come."

"I'm so thrilled to be launching Beyond the Picture at this very special event at de Gruchy's, and I'm so grateful to them for giving me this opportunity to share my first novel with their clients and the wider world," he said.

You can find the e-book here and more information on the event here.