IMPARTIAL Reporter journalist Rodney Edwards is to release his first book later this year after signing a book deal with Blackstaff Press, it has been announced.

‘Sure, why would ye not?’, inspired by his popular weekly ‘Fermanagh Spake’ column in this newspaper, celebrates the idiosyncrasies, humour and uniqueness of Irish turns of phrase.

Rodney’s book will follow Bob and Charlie, two fictional oul fellas, as they put the world to rights on everything from the ‘clatty’ weather to the ‘ogeous handlins’ they find themselves in.

Blackstaff Press, based in Belfast, has described the book as “John Pepper for a new generation.” Rodney, an award-winning journalist, was named Northern Ireland Weekly Journalist of the Year in 2013, and in 2014 was voted tenth most influential UK journalist on Twitter by Press Gazette. Last month he received a ‘silver’ award at the CIPR Media Awards for his special report on cancer, featuring eight interviews with people impacted by the disease.

The 28 year old journalist from Enniskillen says he is hugely excited about working on the book with Blackstaff Press, which is regarded as one of Ireland’s foremost publishers.

“Given that most of my childhood was spent reading and writing, I am thrilled to be releasing my first book later this year. Blackstaff Press is not only one of the best publishers in Northern Ireland, but one of the most respected. This, if you pardon the pun, is a hugely exciting new chapter for me,” he said.

‘Sure, why would ye not?’ will be published on October 15 and will be available in shops across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and on Amazon.com.