Zoë Richards
Zoë Richards
Zoë Richards lives in Southport, on the Merseyside coast, having been born and bred in Ormskirk, just north of Liverpool. An early reader, Zoë loved books before she even went to school and was soon writing her own stories, plays and poems. At 12, Zoë started a school newsletter for Ormskirk Grammar School, and has always written, even turning her hand to stand-up comedy in adulthood. Her career took her into the public sector after getting a degree in public administration and a Masters in Management Learning, and she has spent many years working in the NHS.
Zoë met her husband, Rob. They discovered a mutual love for photography, cycling and Triumph Stags and married a year later. Another four years on their daughter arrived. Delayed post natal depression took Zoë into a dark place that she struggled to get out of and a few years later she attempted to take her life. Thankfully she was able to turn things around, with the help of her first dog and long beach walks.
Whilst working for Liverpool’s universities and then for the NHS Zoë kept writing but never managed to finish a whole novel. She even set herself the challenge of doing 50 things in her 50s, one of which was to finally complete and publish a novel. Eventually, with 2 years to spare, the novel was complete but not in a publishable state. Reflecting on her life and her suicide survival as she turned 60 led to Zoë writing her debut novel.
When not writing, Zoë still works in the NHS. She is also a mindset coach and hosts a writing mindset podcast called Write, Damn It! (Link https://zoe.buzzsprout.com/ ) In her spare time she loves to walk her cockapoo in the local pinewoods or on the beach, enjoys bookbinding and sewing, and bakes her own sourdough bread.
Zoë signed a deal for her debut novel with UCLan Publishing Commissioning editor Hazel Holmes acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Clare Coombes at the Liverpool Literary Agency. The book will be published in June 2024.