About me

I've been a writer all my life, first as a journalist for national newspapers, now as a writer of short stories, poetry and historical novels.


Words have always fascinated me, and I still remember my excitement as my great grandmother helped me learn to read.


She had been a teacher during the 1920s and had bookcases full of musty school-books. In her cottage in the woods, my love of history, nature and stories was born.


Prizes and Awards

2024

SWWJ Elizabeth Longford Rose Bowl Poetry Competition, winner

SWWJ 130th Anniversary Biography Competition, 2nd place

Bridport Prize Short Story - top 7%

Yeovil Literary Prize, longlist

2022

RNA's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, runner-up

Exeter Story Prize, longlist

2021

Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Competition, winner

Bournemouth Writing Prize, shortlist

Surrey Wildlife Trust 'Cutting Hedge Creativity' multimedia competition, winner

Stylist Feminist Fiction Prize, longlist

2020

HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition, winner

2019

Harper's Bazaar Short Story Competition, shortlist

HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition, longlist

2018

Harper's Bazaar Short Story Competition, shortlist