FICTION writer Christian Hatton is hoping for a promising future for his first novel – by touring the country to sell it himself.

Mr Hatton, 27, a supply teacher at Wolvercote Primary School, was at WH Smith in Cornmarket on Saturday and sold 20 copies of his futuristic novel Black Hole.

He has sold more than 100 copies to date through Internet publisher lulu.com and is hoping to sell more by touring Smith’s city centre stores including London and Glasgow.

The former pupil of St Augustine’s School, in Iffley Turn, said: “It’s hard work selling your own novel but I’m very grateful that WH Smith has given me this opportunity to meet customers.

“I sold three copies shortly after I got here but it can be quite a hard sell when you set up a table in a shop like this, although it does give you a perfect platform for your novel.

“If I can sell a couple of thousand copies eventually I would like to think the novel would then be picked up by a mainstream publisher.”

After growing up in Blackbird Leys, the George Orwell fan went to London Metropolitan University, where he studied politics and sociology, before becoming a teacher. His novel is set in 2048 and features a civil servant, Steve Morrissey, who is asked to investigate financial corruption in an East London borough.

He cites Orwell’s masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four as a key influence.

One of the key themes of the novel is the recession, and Mr Hatton added: “I think there is definitely a risk of a double-dip recession at the moment but I hope people will still have enough money to buy my book, which is on sale at Amazon for £8.99.”

Karen Cassford, assistant manager of WH Smith in Cornmarket Street, said: “We were delighted to give Mr Hatton the opportunity to sell his book.

“It’s something we are trying to do more and more for local authors and customers certainly seem to appreciate it.”