A WRITER inspired by the woods and myths of her Wye Valley childhood is launching her first book in a contemporary fantasy series this month, after signing a four-book deal with a major publisher.

Cari Thomas, who grew up in Devauden and attended Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools where her mother was a teacher, wowed HarperCollins with her idea for The Language of Magic series.

Her first story at the age of seven was about a witch who took over her school.

And debut fantasy novel Threadneedle is rooted in “traditional witchcraft” and flew into bookshops on Thursday, May 27.

Top bookseller Waterstones has also been held spellbound by the book, signing a deal for a signed, red sprayed-edge special edition.

The retailer originally ordered 2,000 copies but has increased this to 4,000 and is also running a prize draw.

There is also a special London-themed edition planned with Goldsboro books in Covent Garden.

A journalist and marketing professional, who previously ran teen magazine Sugar’s book club, Cari came up with the idea for Threadneedle while living in London.

By wandering through the city and weaving it with all the magic she wished it contained, she created the story about spells created with knots and threads set in the contemporary capital.

Cari, whose mum Liz Thomas was headteacher of Monmouth Schools Pre-Prep and Nursery (then Agincourt School and Nursery) for 11 years, joined Monmouth School for Girls in Year 7 and after doing her A-levels, achieved a first-class degree in English Literature and Creative Writing at Warwick University.

She then gained a distinction in magazine journalism at Cardiff School of Journalism before going on to work in consumer publishing and as a digital strategist at a creative agency.

Cari also ran teen magazine Sugar’s book club and spent her spare time researching magic and accumulating an unusual collection of occult books.

The talented writer now lives in Bristol with husband James Williams and their young son Taliesin.

She said: “The teacher who inspired me when I did English at the girls’ school was Mrs Read and I got my first headmistress’ distinction from Dr Brenda Despontin in Year 8 for a poem about autumn apples.

“Apples, in fact, feature quite prominently in my novel and I can’t wait to bring the magical world, that has lived for so long in my head, to life.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Natasha Bardon and her team at HarperVoyager. Their passion for my book series and their creativity was an instant attraction.”

Publishing director Natasha said: “I’ve always loved books that hide magic within the modern day.

“Not only are Cari’s characters brilliantly formed and full, but her world within Threadneedle is one you’re aching to explore.

“I fell in love with the world of Anna, one of the characters. From her aunt’s knot magic, to the hidden magical library hidden beneath our own British Library, Cari’s book weaved its spell over me. I cannot wait to see where the series leads us.”