Emma, moments before being awarded Best Twisted Tale for her short horror story, WORMS

If you're anything like me, you like nosing around author's websites/socials to find out what makes them tick.
Find me on Tiktok @emmasotyteller on Instagram @emmap_storyteller and twitter @EmmaStoryteller.

I was born in London, UK then moved to Christchurch, New Zealand when I was sixteen, where I met my Kiwi husband. I'm a British and New Zealand citizen and I feel fortunate to identify with both cultures. I love travelling and hope to visit more countries and meet more people and learn and grow and share stories!

Writing has always been my passion. 

When I was a child, I wanted to be a dancer, a writer and Prime Minister. Having achieved the first two on my list, I can tell you that I have no desire to pursue the last one. I prefer to be ruler of my fictional worlds and even then the characters end up ruling me and doing whatever they like!

I started writing stories as soon as I could pick up a pencil and I've never stopped.

Though dyslexic, I've never let the challenges of being neurodivergent stop me from telling a story. At primary school I wrote a picture book called 'Attack of the Killer Wheelie Bins'. It was around the time the new bins on wheels had hit London and this is what inspired me to write about wheelie bins getting sick of people stuffing them with rubbish and so they started eating people.

Another story I remember writing at primary school was about two kids who fell down a pit and were eaten alive by a beast. It was graphic, the teacher was concerned and called my parents in. It was decided I had a wild imagination and no intervention was needed. 
 My first published work was a picture book called 'Curly from Shirley.'

We sold 3000 copies to raise money for The Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Curly from Shirley was a national bestseller. There's a good little doggie! And was recognised by New Zealand Post, 'Getting Kiwis Reading,' as best opening lines which were then printed on coffee mugs along with one of Victoria M Azaro's stunning illustrations.
 My second published work was a short horror story called, 'London's Crawling'.

While back in the UK, I taught myself how to write using free online resources and the help of friends I made in the industry who saw potential in my storytelling skills.

My first short story was a finalist for the Twisted50 anthology. The horror story, London's Crawling, then went on to win a spot in the Dark Minds charity anthology. The Dark Minds collection became a number one bestseller. I've been asked by fans to adapt the story into a novel... I'm tempted.

My third published work was a novel.
A dystopian thriller called Skeletal. Part of an R18  duology. These novels are no longer for sale. I asked for my rights back because I wrote the books while suffering PTSD, and although the duology has a small but enthusiastic group of fans, it is flawed enough that I felt the need to pull it from sale. 

I'm happy to say I have had many more stories and novels and picture books published since. 

Dark stories for adults and children have always been my preference. As a teenager I read horror, sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, supernatural, mysteries, and fantasy, 

I'm also a bookseller for Waterstones. I worked in a bookshop when I was 19 and loved it. I'm glad to be back!
I have three children, a husband, and a naughty cat called Rupert.

My favourite authors are George Orwell, Jack Meggitt-phillips, Elle McNicholl, Sayaka Murata, Maya Angelou, Grady Hendrix and many more.

Do you have any favourite authors/books?  Write to me here!