Where it began
Where and how did Tawny Owl Wood all begin?
Every time we attend an event, I’m asked the same questions: “What’s the inspiration behind Tawny Owl Wood? How did you start writing? Have you always been a writer?”
The simple answer is my incredible grandmother, Betty—the stunning lady on the right. She unknowingly planted the first seeds of Tawny Owl Wood in the 1980s. Back then, she would secretly leave notes and gifts on my windowsill from “Fairy Bluebell.” That simple act sparked a lifelong love for magic, curiosity, and nature in me.
It’s a reminder of how small acts of kindness can grow into something much larger. As the saying goes, “From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow.”
Years later, standing at the edge of Sandringham Woods, holding my newborn while my three older children ran ahead, the world of Tawny Owl Wood was born. One of them knelt down to knock on a carved fairy door in a tree, and I was instantly transported back to my childhood.
On March 28, 2007, I wrote my first two chapter books: Finding the Old Oak Tree and The Rainy Day, designed for readers aged 7-12. The stories featured my children and were written for them. But as life often does, motherhood and a career in the equine world took me in a different direction, and the books were shelved.
In 2021, encouraged by my husband, I revisited those stories. By then, my children were grown, and I had watched their struggles through school and life, as well as my own. I realised I wanted these books to show children they’re not alone—that others have faced similar challenges.
After receiving five offers from traditional publishers, I chose self-publishing to keep the copyright and preserve the ethos of Tawny Owl Wood. Since then, the series has evolved into early reader picture books for children aged 0-6.
My family has been my greatest support throughout this journey. From storyboarding and design ideas to attending events, everyone has played a part in bringing Tawny Owl Wood to life. I couldn’t have done it without them.
To find out more about each series go to:
