A WEST Compton author is hoping to rally support for his new book about murderous birdwatchers.

Writer Kevin Parr, whose work has appeared in various publications including The Idler and Anglers Mail, moved to Dorset last summer from Winchester.

He said he had always wanted to write a book and his first novel is almost complete.

The Twitch is described as a black comedy revolving around the competitive sport of bird watching or twitching.

He said the idea had been developing for the last four or five years.

Mr Parr said: “I’m really excited and quite nervous as well. I have put a lot of time and hope into it. It’s very exciting.”

The fate of his book now lies in the hands of the general public. His work will be pitched to potential readers on a website called Unbound. The idea is that people pledge their support and pay money to see the book created.

If Mr Parr gets enough pledges then the book will be created and distributed.

Depending on the amount pledged, readers could get anything from an e-book first edition copy of the book to a character named after them and an invite to the book launch party.

According to Unbound’s website, if the book doesn’t get sufficient support all pledgers will be given a refund.

Mr Parr said he got interested in bird watching after going to try and spot a white-tailed eagle that had taken a wrong turn from its native home and ended up in Andover.

He said: “I didn’t see the eagle but there were lots of fantastic people there.”

After going on another twitch to try and spot a snowy owl he said: “The people were incredible and the efforts they went to see the birds were amazing.”

This started the idea for his comedy about a birdwatcher so obsessed with winning a national bird watching competition that he will even resort to murder.

He said: “I thought it would be great – someone that became so obsessed they started killing people and knocking off their rivals, which is what happens.

“The main character gets rather too keen to win.”

He added: “It’s a black comedy and it’s quite dark – but I’ve tried to make it humorous as well.”

Mr Parr said he really hoped people would get behind him and help pledge their support so that he could see his dream become a reality.

To find out more about Unbound and The Twitch or to pledge your support, visit www.unbound.co.uk/books/the-twitch.