THE daughter of a disgraced Hollywood power player and a reality show applicant with an axe to grind are among the stars of a new book.

Emma Brankin, who previously worked in the entertainment industry, has put pen to paper to release her debut book.

The 34-year-old, who now works as a teacher in London, has “drawn on my many, many run-ins with celebrities” to create a book of short stories.

Attention Seekers is described as “a quirky” collection of tales, looking at characters from an embattled starlet dealing with the paparazzi to a woman weaponising her cat’s internet fame to keep track of her ex.

She said: “I’m a drama graduate so I’ve always been interested in actors and writers and how they bring stories to life.

“But, of course, alongside that is the exposure that often comes with success.

“When I first moved to London, I worked in the entertainment industry which meant I was in the orbit of celebrities and their entourages a lot.

“I guess I have a sort of fascination with the underside of the industry so I did draw on some real-life encounters but, of course, then took them to crazy, fictional places.

“For example, in one story called ‘Anita Berber Takes Her Clothes Off Again’, a character is in Berlin for the 50 Shades Of Grey premiere and I did actually go to Berlin to attend that very event.

“However, 95 per cent of the events in that story did not happen to me – which, if you read the story, you’ll realise is a massive relief!”

Emma has lived in Dunbar off and on for the last 15 years, while her mum Jackie Irvine and younger brother Andrew continue to live in the town.

The speech and drama teacher told the Courier that a reigniting of her love of writing was behind the move to write a book.

She said: “I always loved writing. It is a big cliché to say but I guess it would be an ambition from a very young age to be a writer and tell stories.

“But, in my 20s, I just stopped writing; it was just a thing that was not happening.

“At some point in my late 20s, I rediscovered writing and having fun with it and enjoying it.

“Then, I discovered the online literary community, which I did not know existed.

“It is huge and where small pieces of work can get published. Not everyone has a 60,000-word novel in them.

“I was intrigued if anything I came up with would meet publication.”

Attention Seekers, published by Valley Press, was released last Thursday.

Ahead of getting her hands on a copy of her book, Emma said: “That’s going to be a very exciting moment.

“One of the reasons I was keen to go with my publisher is I bought a couple of their other books and they are beautiful looking books.

“I am very excited to have the real thing.”

Attention Seekers is available in bookstores in Edinburgh, as well as online.