Lorraine Martin describes her granddaughter Allana Raine King as a bright, joyful soul — someone whose smile could light up a room. Allana, a 19-year-old from Bristol, tragically passed away in 2018 due to complications from encephalitis, a rare autoimmune condition that affects the brain. Before her untimely death, Allana had nearly completed writing her first novel — about 90% of it, according to her grandmother.

Determined to honour Allana’s passion for storytelling, Lorraine, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, took on the emotionally daunting task of finishing the book. Despite having no writing experience herself, she poured her heart into the project, saying that seeing the book published feels like Allana’s dream has finally come true. Today, the novel Land of the Free is proudly on sale at Waterstones in Bristol.

“Allana lived and breathed writing,” Lorraine shared. “By her teenage years, she was rarely without a notebook, always jotting down her thoughts and observations. She had a rare gift — not just with words, but with empathy. She truly understood people.”

Land of the Free is set in a dystopian future where technology rules society, and follows a young protagonist named Rocky. Lorraine said that although she initially felt overwhelmed, Allana had left behind a treasure trove of notes, sketches, and outlines that helped her find her footing.

“I felt completely out of my depth at first,” Lorraine admitted. “But one day, I just knew I had to give it a go. The story was so compelling, and once I started, I found myself deeply immersed. It was as if the words just flowed through me — like Allana was guiding me.”

Allana had been preparing to study creative writing at university before her sudden passing. Lorraine had often dreamed of walking by Waterstones and seeing Allana’s book in the window — a dream she’s now seen realized. “It feels like my dream for her has finally come true,” she said with emotion.

In a heartfelt tribute to Allana and to raise awareness, half of the book’s proceeds will be donated to Encephalitis International — an organization that supports the 4,000 people in the UK diagnosed with the condition each year.