A FORMER Bradford printer has turned children's book author in his retirement.

Michael Rowland, formerly of Idle and Eccleshill, but now living in The Wirral, began writing only seven years ago.

His first book, 9/11: Official Complicity, was actually for adults. It centred around facts and theories of the Twin Tower attacks in New York in 2001 and was published in 2010.

It was endorsed by Dr David Ray Griffin, a retired American professor and political writer who has also published several books about the September 11 attacks.

Mr Rowland used his real name for this publication but because of the serious nature of the book, used a pseudonym for his books for children to avoid confusion.

These go under the name of Daniel M Warloch, an anagram of Michael Rowland.

He has written a number of books including the Leap Year trilogy aimed at boys and girls around the age of eight, Christmas Presence and The Key to Survival.

Are You Sitting Comfortably...? is a collection of children's 'wacky' poems.

He also has written eight books in The Further Adventures of Holly KissKiss, aimed at children with autism and which have been illustrated by his brother, Andrew.

Mr Rowland, 68, has also written books for younger children, such as Rudolph's Little Helper and A Little Bird Told Me which are part of the Holly KissKiss series.

"I have had a lot of enjoyment writing these, especially the Leap Year books for which he used his three grandchildren as characters.

"I have had some wonderful reviews of my work. Two of them, The Key to Survival and A Little Bird Told Me, were added to the top ten best summer reading 2017 choices by Fran Briggs, and award-winning author and director of operations of eMediaCampaigns, from Arizona whose own work has been featured on Fox News, CNN and Oprah, to name but a few."

Mr Rowland completed a course aimed at autism to understand the condition and works part-time for Autism Together, supporting a 60-year-old man with Aspergers.

"I have been told that all the children's books are well received and are even enjoyed by older people. The Holly KissKiss books are particularly important because there are very few out there aimed at children with autism. They are designed to keep their attention without being confusing."

All the books are available on Amazon and Amazon Unlimited in the UK and US and all have five star reviews.

"It is really helpful if people download the books and leave reviews because these help to get the books into view," he said.

Mr Rowland began work at Watmoughs, in Bradford in 1964 as a hot metal compositor, eventually moving up to manager level. He worked there until 2001 when he moved to The Wirral.