Poole of Light
Book One of The Poole Legacy
by RJ Verity
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Pub Date Sep 16 2025 | Archive Date Aug 22 2025
RJ Verity | Vazon Press
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Description
A golden age. A shadowed past.
Northern England, 1913. Ten-year-old Jeremiah “Jem” Poole sees a moving picture for the first time — and something in him ignites. Born into a coal-stained town of soot and poverty, Jem dreams of more than survival. He dreams of light.
But dreams have a cost.
When tragedy forces him from his childhood home, Jem begins a journey through war, loss, and reinvention — rising from hardship to become a key figure in Britain’s blossoming film industry. By the 1930s, he’s built a name in cinema, married into high society, and distanced himself from who he once was. But when the past resurfaces, its quiet persistence becomes harder to ignore.
Poole of Light is an emotionally layered historical novel about the stories we project, the secrets we carry, and the fragile magic that makes a life worth living. Set against the backdrop of two world wars and the golden age of cinema, it’s a powerful debut exploring ambition, memory, and the quiet reckoning between who we were and who we choose to become.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Kristin Hannah, Amor Towles, and Jo Baker
- Character-driven historical fiction with emotional depth
- Stories of coming of age, reinvention, and family legacy
Book One in The Poole Legacy — a historical fiction trilogy. Can be read as a standalone.
Bright Light, a companion short story set during the events of this novel, is also available on Amazon.
Available in paperback and eBook: September 16, 2025
A Note From the Publisher
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239076062-poole-of-light
Advance Praise
“A real page-turner — impressively well-researched and full of authentic detail.” -- Giles Woodforde, Cinema Theatre Association (CTA)
“I totally loved the book — it conjures the sights and sounds of the industrial North and beautifully captures the thrill and excitement of early cinema.” -- Peter Hallinan, Cinema Historian
"Verity has an amazing talent." -- Jenny O'Brien, Author
Marketing Plan
Launch Date: September 16, 2025 (Paperback and eBook)
Publisher: Vazon Press (Independent)
Series: Book One in The Poole Legacy trilogy (can be read as a standalone)
Promotional Strategy
A multi-phase pre-release campaign will include targeted outreach on Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky, focusing on readers and reviewers of emotionally resonant, character-driven historical fiction.
To build early interest and expand The Poole Legacy universe, a companion short story — Bright Light — is available for free on Amazon. Set during the events of the novel, it offers new readers a glimpse into Jem Poole’s world and backstory.
📚 Add Poole of Light to your Goodreads shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239076062-poole-of-light
The author’s website and newsletter (www.rjverity.com) will feature behind-the-scenes content, historical context, and exclusive bonus material for subscribers.
Early Outreach & Influencer Engagement
Advance review copies (ARCs) are being distributed to historical fiction bloggers and reviewers, particularly those who read and recommend authors like Jo Baker, Kristin Hannah, Anthony Doerr and Amor Towles.
Early reviews are also being gathered via curated ARC communities like Hidden Gems and BookSprout, to help expand initial reader visibility across Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub.
Additional outreach includes engagement with the UK’s Cinema Theatre Association and communities interested in British film history and early 20th-century social history.
Comparative Titles & Ideal Readers
For readers of:
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- Longbourn by Jo Baker
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
- Restless by William Boyd
Ideal for those who enjoy:
- Character-driven historical fiction with emotional nuance
- Stories set in 20th-century Britain with rich atmosphere and literary depth
- Themes of memory, ambition, identity and quiet redemption
- Multi-decade narratives exploring legacy and personal myth-making
Unique Selling Points
A fresh, emotionally resonant take on the golden age of British cinema — told through the eyes of a working-class boy shaped by grief, ambition and light.
A rare literary focus on fatherhood, disability, and the emotional cost of reinvention in early 20th-century England.
Rich in historical atmosphere without being didactic — ideal for book clubs and fans of literary, introspective fiction.
Author Availability
RJ Verity is available for:
- Virtual book club visits
- Podcast interviews
- Historical fiction features and guest blog appearance
A downloadable book club discussion guide will be available at launch.
