I’m a novelist, represented by Kate Shaw at The Viney Agency; I also write short stories and non-fiction, and have just completed the first draft of a radio play. Like most writers, I love to teach my craft, and feel privileged to be able to help new writers to develop their skills. I’m an Associate Lecturer on the undergraduate programme at Sheffield Hallam University, a tutor on the Creative Writing course at Open College of the Arts and I run Creative Writing courses and workshops in the community. I also offer critique and mentoring services.
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My debut novel, The Things We Never Said, is to
be published in May 2013 by Simon & Schuster.
‘Passionate, intriguing and beautifully written, The Things We Never Said deserves to stand on the shelf next to Maggie O’Farrell’s books. A powerful and talented new voice’
The Things We Never Said:
In 1964, Maggie wakes to find herself in a mental asylum, with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that she must use all her strength in order to survive. Remnants of memories swirl in her mind – a familiar song, a storm, a moment of violence. Slowly, she begins to piece together the past and the events which brought her to this point. In the present day, Jonathan is grieving after the loss of his father. A cold, distant man, he was not easy to love, but at least while he lived there was hope for reconciliation. Then a detective turns up on Jonathan’s doorstep to question him about crimes he believes Jonathan’s father may have committed long ago... As the two stories interweave, the devastating truth long kept hidden must emerge, and both Maggie and Jonathan are forced to come to terms with the consequences of the shocking and tragic events of over forty years ago.
I'm now working on my second novel, As Good as Eve, a tale of secrets, adoration, mother love and hidden guilt. My short stories, some of which have won awards, have been published and broadcast, and I’ve also written a number of non-fiction books on health-related topics, and you can see those here.
Praise for
The Things We Never Said:
‘Passionate, intriguing and beautifully written, The Things We Never Said deserves to stand on the shelf next to Maggie O’Farrell’s books. A powerful and talented new voice’
Rachel Hore, bestselling author of A Gathering Storm and A Place of
Secrets
‘This is a staggeringly
accomplished first novel, perfectly paced. It sweeps you up from the
very first page and doesn’t let you go until the end.
The hauntingly nostalgic
tale of the trauma of an unwanted pregnancy in the 60s, it has echoes of Lynn
Reid Banks and Margaret Forster. You could almost smell the boarding
house and feel the cold of an unforgiving winter as aspiring actress Maggie
faces up to some brutal choices that will affect her for the rest of her life.
The ensuing trauma is
entwined with a very modern tale of marriage, impending fatherhood and the
perils of the workplace in twenty-first-century Britain. The two stories
dovetail to perfection. It’s both
deeply moving and uplifting – an emotional rollercoaster.
If you love Maggie O’Farrell, you will love this’
Veronica Henry, bestselling author of The Long Weekend
‘A brave and
moving story about how much can be lost and what happens next. A compelling and
impressive debut’
Alison Moore, author of the
Booker-shortlisted The Lighthouse
‘Two
intertwined stories explore a past filled with terror and grief, and a heart-breaking
present, in writing as smooth and
bittersweet as fine dark chocolate’
Jane Rogers, author of the
Booker-longlisted The Testament of Jessie Lamb
‘Tightly-woven
and tender, The Things We Never Said is a beautifully crafted story that
explores harsh family secrets with effortless clarity. A wonderful debut’
Isabel
Ashdown, award-winning author of Glasshopper
‘I was swept along by Elliot
Wright’s assured storytelling’
Katie Ward,
author of Girl, Reading
‘Compelling
and deeply moving … this is superb storytelling which transports the reader
with ease between past and present, across a gulf of fifty years, while
gradually revealing the connection between the two. I couldn’t put it down’
Jane Rusbridge, author of The
Devil’s Music
The Things We Never Said:
In 1964, Maggie wakes to find herself in a mental asylum, with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that she must use all her strength in order to survive. Remnants of memories swirl in her mind – a familiar song, a storm, a moment of violence. Slowly, she begins to piece together the past and the events which brought her to this point. In the present day, Jonathan is grieving after the loss of his father. A cold, distant man, he was not easy to love, but at least while he lived there was hope for reconciliation. Then a detective turns up on Jonathan’s doorstep to question him about crimes he believes Jonathan’s father may have committed long ago... As the two stories interweave, the devastating truth long kept hidden must emerge, and both Maggie and Jonathan are forced to come to terms with the consequences of the shocking and tragic events of over forty years ago.
I'm now working on my second novel, As Good as Eve, a tale of secrets, adoration, mother love and hidden guilt. My short stories, some of which have won awards, have been published and broadcast, and I’ve also written a number of non-fiction books on health-related topics, and you can see those here.
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If you visit my blog, you’ll be able to read about matters relating to writing, reading, and possibly cooking and eating. Whether this turns out to be an avoidance technique remains to be seen, but again, it’s a case of, ‘You don’t blog? Every writer blogs these days’. That’s a barefaced lie, of course, but quite a few authors do seem to manage it, at least occasionally, and a blog really is the ideal displacement activity. I hope you enjoy the site, and please feel free to get in touch.
