An engineer who studied theology and philosophy turned his hand to composing sci-fi after being denied a career in football through injury.

Anthony Fucilla, who lives in Purley, is touring the country signing copies of his second anthology of short stories, Quantum Chronicles 2, after being inspired to write by a science documentary six years ago.

He said: “I just happened to be watching this documentary and had an idea for a story. I guess it just developed from there.”

With his background in philosophy and a physicist for a father, science fiction came naturally for the 36-year-old.

He said: “I wanted to use writing to convey my ideas about life and through sci fi you are able to use multidimensional concepts and utilise issues like time travel to really explore themes and theories.”

Despite his first book Quantum Chronicles in the Eleventh Dimension sitting as one of his publisher Arima’s top sellers since its release in 2009 Mr Fucilla has resisted the temptation to begin writing full-time and still works at the family engineering business in Croydon.

Taking a hiatus to promote Quantum Chronicles 2, which includes 11 short stories, Mr Fucilla is still enjoying keeping writing as a second job.

He said: "It is hard but it is very rewarding. There really isn’t much money in writing books unless you make it really big so it would be a big step.

"I have considered moving to writing a novel rather than short stories, but I like the challenge of bringing everything together in a short space. I think it suits my style of writing."

Having visited Waterstones, Croydon on Saturday December 5 for a book signing, Fucilla will be at Camberly Waterstones on Friday December 16, before moving on to Redhill on Thursday December 22 and resuming the tour in February in Liverpool.

Copies of Quantum Chronicles 2 can be ordered online or found at Waterstones and other retailers.