Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left) seems happy to receive a copy of 'Roving with Lalah - Slices of Everyday Jamaican Life', from author Robert Lalah, when he visited The Gleaner Company last week, along with Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall (second right) and Archbishop of Kingston Donald Reece. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Two weeks ago in London, England, The Gleaner's newly published author, Robert Lalah, saw copies of his new book Roving with Lalah - Slices of Everyday Jamaican Life for the first time. It was an awesome feeling for the 25 year-old, who is the youngest author ever on an Ian Randle Publishers roster.

But the journey to the colourful hard-cover collection of stories began as a mere dream in the mind of a youth, who thought he'd become an author in his 40s.

Fast forward to June 2004 when he began as a member of staff of The Gleaner's editorial department and started the popular weekly series in October 2005.

So favoured were the weekly slices of Jamaican life (mainly rural) were with readers, Lalah knew the decision to write the book was no longer in his hands.

Thoughts of his dad

Added to that, his late father, Errol Lalah, had begun to make a collection of the stories with the intention of producing a book. Thoughts of his father were uppermost in Lalah's mind as he signed copies of the book for the throng of fans, who turned out at the Jamaican High Commission in London for a launch on Friday, October 10, and at the Arsenal Emirates Stadium for the Word Power Book Fair, where Lalah was the youngest featured author.

Late last month, Lalah retraced some of the steps in the process to the book. This week, we conclude the interview with him.

All the members of Lalah's family wanted to be a part of the project and were very supportive. "My mother and sister, in particular, are very proud and are enjoying this whole process quite a lot. I also have several aunts and uncles, who have been eager to see the book come out," he said.

Learning process

The making of the book was a learning process. He had to sit through several sessions with Gleaner Editor-in-Chief, Garfield Grandison, as they decided on details such as cover design and choice of pictures.

Ian Randle Publishers were easy to work with too. "I had it relatively easy because I wasn't writing the manuscript from scratch. The stories were already written and edited for the newspaper, so it was just a matter of rejigging them in the publishers' style," Lalah said.

General details such as a questionnaire of his personal data, a list of persons to do a first read, the acknowledgement, selection of his own cover photo, choosing stories for each chapter and reviewing the final manuscript, all went fairly smoothly. For the book, it was decided that the newspaper headlines on the stories would, for the most part be retained. "This was because so many people told me they kept scrapbooks of the stories. I figured that this would help them to recognise the stories," he said.

Marketing the book

Plans are already far advanced for the book's official launch next month and Lalah says although he does not favour the limelight, he is looking forward to participating in the marketing process. It will involve a number signings and making appearances locally and overseas, but he is prepared for it. Who knows? He might even find grist for Volume Two!

As for the the reception he received at the Word Power Book Fair in London, two weeks ago, Lalah said he was surprised by the turnout.

"I really didn't expect so many persons to show up to buy the book. It was strange for me to have people telling me that they travelled for hours just to meet me. One guy said he travelled from Fiji, another couple said they skipped work to be there. They really were quite excited. The response was overwhelming," he said.

So, is the book a good example of what he wanted on his maiden voyage into the world of authors? "I am completely satisfied and quite proud of the stories that make up this book. I really wouldn't change a thing. I do feel though, that there are several more stories inside of me to tell. This won't be my last, but I want it to be successful so I have a good precedent to follow," he said.

For more information on the Roving with Lalah book, and to pre-order a copy, visit www.ianrandlepublishers.com

Claudine Anderson shows off a poster promoting Robert Lalah's appearance at the Word Power Book Fair in London when she attended the event two weeks ago. Anderson begged organisers to let her have the poster and then asked Lalah to autograph it for her. She said she plans to display it in her home. - Contributed