Local author's book submitted to DreamWorks Studios

Steve Epworth would love to see the characters he created in his first published novel brought to life on the big screen.

And that dream is one step closer to reality for the Sackville writer following his publisher's decision to submit the book to DreamWorks Studios for consideration.

Epworth says he knows it's unlikely his book Came Dragons: A Tale of Valor and Destiny will be selected from the thousands of novels that are sent to the film studio every year, but there's always reason to hope.

"It'd be great to see it on the screen, or to see it on the shelves of the movie store here," he says.

Came Dragons, a novel that brings to life the extraordinary legends of the mythical beasts, was published two years ago by PublishAmerica and was just this month sent to DreamWorks as well as the Oprah Book Club.

"We are very excited to announce that this exceptional book is being considered for film adaptation," said PublishAmerica's public relations director Shawn Street. "We look forward to the day when this talented author's work will appear on the big screen."

DreamWorks is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games, and television programming. It has created such hits as American Beauty and Catch Me If You Can, as well as animated fare such as Antz, Madagascar and the Shrek trilogy.

Came Dragons, the first novel in a three-part series, is a story uniquely told through the eyes of the dragons. It brings to light the tragic lives of the misunderstood and exploited beasts.

The series was spawned by Epworth's early childhood imagination and his quest to reconnect with his long-forgotten Celtic roots. The stories are told in "old-English style verse" because the author wanted to see if there was still a market for that type of literature.

But don't go looking for any of his books under Steve Epworth's name. He has written the novels under a pseudonym - Mr. Ep.

Epworth, who has lived in Sackville for the past 18 years and works as a consultant for his own company, has more than two dozen books in various stages of publication, including more lighthearted fare such as How To Romance Broads.

Interested readers can order a copy of Came Dragons online at www. publishamerica.com or order it through Sackville's Tidewater Books.