Our Authors

Scottish author, Jenny Colgan has been writing romantic fiction since 1999 when her first book, was sold at auction throughout the world. She has won numerous awards, been translated into over 26 languages and at the end of 2021 hit the New York Times bestseller list for the first time with The Christmas Bookshop (set in Edinburgh). When it was published in paperback a bookshop on Victoria Street in Edinburgh completely rebranded to emulate the cover.

Emma Cowing is an award-winning journalist and writer.

She holds an Ochberg Fellowship in Journalism and Trauma at Columbia Journalism School in New York, for her work covering the war in Afghanistan, and its aftermath. Emma was shortlisted for the 2023 Cheshire Novel Prize, and longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award and Blue Pencil First Novel Award. The Show Woman is her first novel.

Having secured a first-class honours degree in Classical Literature and Civilisation at the University of Birmingham, Rosie Hewlett has studied Greek mythology in depth and is passionate about unearthing strong female voices within the classical world. Her self-published debut novel, Medusa, won the Rubery Book of the Year award in 2021.

Follow Rosie on Instagram: @rosiehewlett.author

Lotte Jeffs has spent her career writing columns, profiles and think pieces for the British press.

She has worked as an editor for ELLE and ES Magazine, and is the author of How to be a Gentlewoman: The Art of Soft Power in Hard Times, co-author of The Queer Parent and the children’s picture book My Magic Family. She co-hosts the podcast From Gay To Ze, about LGBTQ parenting and pop culture. Lotte has won the PPA Writer of The Year Award and The Great British Podcast Award.

Flora Johnston lives in Edinburgh and worked for over twenty years in museums and heritage interpretation, including at the National Museums of Scotland, which has greatly influenced the historical fiction she now writes. Her books include The Paris Peacemakers and The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay.

Mairi Kidd is Head of Literature, Languages and Publishing at Creative Scotland. She was formerly Managing Director of Barrington Stoke, a prize-winning publisher. A fluent Gaelic speaker, she has an MA in Celtic Studies from Edinburgh University. As CEO of Stòrlann, the National Gaelic Education Resource Agency, she worked with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities. Mairi is a contributor to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s books coverage and writes for broadcast, including Gaelic comedy series FUNC.

Caroline Lea grew up on the island of Jersey. The Glass Woman, her debut, is a Gothic thriller set during the Icelandic witch trials. The Metal Heart, a Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month, is an epic Second World War love story; Prize Women reveals a feminist scandal at the heart of the roaring 20s. Caroline creates courses for Writing West Midlands and lives in Warwick.

Georgia Leighton is a Senior Marketing Manager in publishing. Before working in publishing, she completed an MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, receiving a distinction. Georgia lives in London with her family and many books. Her debut adult novel, Spellbound, is a reimagining of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

Dr Jean Menzies is an author, presenter and ancient historian. Her first book, Greek Myths: Meet the Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Ancient Greece, won the BAMB Breakthrough author award. Her debut adult fantasy novel, The Lady of the Lake, was published by Michael Joseph in 2025 is a reimagining of Arthurian legend. You can also find her online @jeansthoughts creating accessible content around literature, history, and mythology.

Emma Steele writes women’s fiction.

Having previously worked as a commercial solicitor in Edinburgh, Emma now writes speculative love stories for Mountain Leopard Press (an imprint of Headline). Her debut novel, The Echoes of Us, was published in June 2024 in the UK and has been translated internationally. The book has also been optioned for an Amazon movie.

Lucy Vine is the bestselling author of novels Hot Mess, What Fresh Hell, Are We Nearly There Yet?, Bad Choices, Seven Exes, Date with Destiny and Book Boyfriend. Her novels have been published in seventeen territories, with Hot Mess optioned for a TV series in America. In a previous life, Lucy was a journalist, writing for publications including Grazia, Stylist, Heat, Fabulous, Marie Claire, Sugar and Cosmopolitan. You can find her on Instagram @lucyvineauthor and TikTok @lucyvineauthor. Her website is www.lucyvine.co.uk.

Laura is an author and an academic. Her debut adult novel, Under Your Spell, has sold into seventeen languages. Let’s Make a Scene is her second romance book for adults. She is also a bestselling and acclaimed author of children’s and young adult novels. Laura has a PhD in nineteenth century literature, and lives in Warwickshire with her husband and their dog, Bea.

You can visit lauraclarewood.com and follow her on Instagram @lauracwood.