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Lost in the Forest:
My Writing Journey

Like many writers living in today's busy and overstimulated world, I have lived a large portion of life in my own head. Since I was little, I have been growing vast orchard of stories in my mind, and sometimes it is tempting to escape from everyday life and lose myself in those trees. 

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I wouldn't change it for the world.

I have been writing for many years, short stories and novels - though I have a particular affection for flash fiction. I have been querying literary agents on and off for a number of years, and have been represented, but I never made it through the final gateway to be traditionally published. I know many of us have been there, and it's a disappointment that needs time and love to process.

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However, finally in 2026 I made the decision to join the weird and truly wonderful world of self-publishing. After many years of keeping my writing to a small group of friends, it's time to open the forest in my head to the rest of the world.

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Don't step off the path! Or do... it's up to you...

Today, I write escapist fiction, specialising in: fantasy, magical realism, soft sci-fi, dystopia, steampunk, adventure thriller, and gothic.

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My all time favourite authors are:

  • Terry Pratchett

  • Naomi Novak

  • Kristin Cashore

  • Stephen King

  • Frances Hardinge

  • Margaret Atwood

  • Laini Taylor

  • Garth Nix

  • Eoin Colfer

  • Johnathan Stroud

  • Kelley Armstrong

  • Diana Wynne Jones

  • China Mieville

  • Jane Austen OG

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My Writing Journey

An honest view of my milestones, celebrations, and projects that have defined my creative path over the years.

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2000-2010

Learning to Write

I created stories and characters constantly, often based on drawings I made. 

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2009

First Rejection

I wrote a rather bad children's fantasy novel and sent it to one agent BY POST (the olden days huh?).

I received a very kind and helpful 'no', which encouraged me to keep writing.

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2013-ish

First Novel

I completed my first YA novel (Valiant) during my 3 hour round commute. It was my first go at NaNoWriMo!

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2014-ish

First Agent

So exciting! Started rounds of edits and refinements ahead of submitting to publishers, and had my first taste of feedback and constructive critique.

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2015-ish

Submitted to Publishers... no luck

I was sent out to interested editors at the Big 5. Thrilling!

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Plenty of praise, but no one wanted to sell it. My agent encouraged me to write something new.

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This time I won NaNoWriMo, writing 50k words of this manuscript in a  month! DEMON IN THE MECHANISM is a action-driven steampunk fantasy. This goes through agent edits too.

2016-ish

Second Novel
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2016-ish

First Monthly Writing Group

This group of stunning people will help me refine my writing, inspire me with their stories, and cheer me on for years. 

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Sadly, this novel is turned away by publishers because 'no one is reading steampunk'.

2017-ish

Second Novel gets rejected
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2017-ish

Start my teaching career

I finally moved out of law in a new direction - one that means I get to talk about books

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2022-ish

Third Novel 

I change tack, and write my first dual narrative novel, SUNDERED (a Morroccan-gothic fantasy) all while starting a new career in teaching. I barely have time to breathe.

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2023

Dropped by my agent

I part ways with my agent, and they explain they don't have capacity for YA books anymore. Grateful for their guidance, yet feels like a massive set-back.

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2023-4

 Fourth Novel

This novel is written faster than any other before it, over a hot summer. I realise that I am so much more confident and skilled in my writing, and I try out a different voice. SUCH CREATURES, a fantasy retelling of The Tempest is born.

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I begin new queries - no luck.

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2025

 Fifth Novel

SILKSORROW is a novel of the heart, and this took only 5 months to write an edit. This neon-gothic novel is my only contemporary story, designed for teenagers, and is so clearly linked to my own experiences that it feels truly special

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Queries are ongoing.

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2025-6

First Playscript

Our school needs a challenging comedy for a female cast - there's nothing out there, so I write one. 

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ANTIHERO is a chaotic musical comedy inspired by Emma Rice and Splendid Theatre. It is performed in March by a fantastic cast.

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2026

Rewriting my First Novel

VALIANT deserves a new start. It becomes CRIMSON WILD, with a genre switch, and deeper world, and a new love interest who brings herself to life kicking and screaming for attention.

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2026 

Decide to self-publish

I join the indie author community, and am encouraged to self-publish.

 

The industry is very different now, and I am a different writer... so here's watching this space!

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I decide to:

  • Launch SUCH CREATURES on Kickstarter

  • Continue querying SILKSORROW

  • Query the new version of my first novel

  • Experiment with new writing techniques to continue to improve

Statement on Generative AI

I wish I didn't need this section, I really do. Human-made creativity is my motto, and the hill I will happily die on. I value the hard work, graft, and learning I have been lucky enough to go through over the years, and I don't see the value in side-stepping this.  I also oppose the reckless use of generative AI to destroy the creative works and careers of other artists, to harm our environment, and to enrich the few at the expense of the many. As such, I do not work with editors or illustrators who use AI in their 'work'.

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I appreciate in this changing world, with large companies insisting to us that 'it is the future', it will get harder and harder to even know how to resist. But I don't believe it is inevitable. I will be trying my best (as we can only do) to learn, and to protect and champion the preciousness of human art and words.

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