Hazel's latest book, Before Dorothy, launches next week

Kilcullen historical novelist Hazel Gaynor's latest book, Before Dorothy, is being published next week, writes Brian Byrne. The book explores a possible early life of one of the least-known characters in the famous Wizard of Oz children's story, Dorothy's 'Auntie Em'.

The story is set in Kansas during the very difficult 1930s of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl agricultural catastrophe. It's the author's 12th book since her first published novel, The Girl Who Came Home, achieved best-seller status in 2012 on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Before Dorothy, published by HarperCollins, will be released in the US on 17 June and in the UK and Ireland on the 19th. Hazel will be undertaking a strenuous coast-to-coast tour in the US to promote the book in media and bookshop events.

Four of her books have been co-written with her friend, American author Heather Webb.

The Diary has had a fascinating chat with Hazel about how Before Dorothy came about, and we'll be publishing that early next week.

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