An Ayr author has told of her ambition to see her Scots spy thriller become a hit TV show like Killing Eve.
Erin Swann, 20, would like to see her book Slate Retribution reach the small screen.
The film-making student says her fictional tale of elite assassins taking on terrorist group – which is corrupting the country – is a clash between hit series starring Jodie Comer and gripping cop drama, Line of Duty.
Set in 2015 in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the story follows character Naomi Jade who goes on a hunt for answers after discovering her school pal, Jessica-Grace Winters, is being brainwashed into becoming an assassin.
Erin, originally from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, penned the book during her time studying at the University of the West of Scotland in Ayr.
Her book was released last year along with special ‘ top secret’ memorabilia which Erin sells to fans on online platform, Etsy.
The talented writer told Ayrshire Live: “It’s essentially a Scottish spy mystery.
“The storyline is told from two points of view. One of the things I wanted to do was give complex female characters – I love seeing those kind of characters in books, TV and film.
“It’s very much like Killing Eve meets Line of Duty.
“I wanted to set between Edinburgh and Glasgow as these sorts of things are always set in the United States and England.
“It was utterly terrifying in the beginning to think this thing that sat in my laptop for years and is now out there.
“But it was exciting to finally have it published for people to read and the response has been great.”
Erin has now set her sights on producing a portfolio of work to pitch her vision to TV bosses.
Last week, she saw her ideas brought to life after shooting a short film Slate Abomination with Ayrshire director Kris Scott – who has saw his hit series Detachment stream on Amazon, with a second on the way.
Dramatic scenes of a storyline which forms a prequel to the book were filmed at Mercure Hotel and Wellington Statue Square in Ayr.
Erin said: “When I got talking to Kris, we decided to put together a portfolio to push it forward for a TV series. I could see it being a BBC One pure drama.
“The short film was reworked as a prequel to the book which was set in 2001.”
Erin lives with cerebal palsy which can sometimes leave her needing to use crutches or a wheelchair for long-distance walks.
Before her time as an author, she made a splash as a competing swimmer, mixing with top pool performers including UK Paralympian star Ellie Simmonds.
Now Erin works as a South Ayrshire swimming instructor – teaching kids across pools in the local authority, including Troon and the Citadel.
Slate Retribution was released under the guise of Emery Hale with Erin Swann also an author who writes erotica fiction including titles such as ‘Passion at the Lake’.
Erin joked: “It has been fun having an author name. I felt I had to change it so I became Emery Hale.”
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