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October 15, 2008 11:14 AM
SPOTLIGHT: Caroline Smailes
Is it too sensationalist or dramatic to say that Caroline Smailes is an idol of mine? Yes? OK, maybe not my idol then, but she has been a huge inspiration to me since I changed my career to being a writer nearly two years ago. She is part of a blogging group that I'm also part of and I have watched with fascination as she embarked on her journey from being a creative writing student to becoming a published novelist over the last eighteen months. She has now just released Black Boxes, her second novel, so I thought it high time I put her in the spotlight.
Caroline studied English Literature at university and went on to specialise in Linguistics. (This knowledge of language is demonstrated in both her novels.) In 2005 she was about to embark on a PhD in Linguistics, but a chance viewing of the Richard and Judy programme changed all of that. She saw an interview about someone who described herself as a "nearly woman". Not wishing to be described as a "nearly writer," Caroline decided to change her life.
Bravely she cancelled her PhD place and enrolled on an MA in creative writing. Here she wrote her first novel, In Search of Adam, set up a blog and a website, and life, for Caroline, has never been the same since.
Her blog (an incredibly honest account of the highs and lows of being published) was discovered by The Friday Project (now an imprint of HarperCollins) and a publishing deal was offered. In the last few weeks Black Boxes, Caroline's second novel, has been released. She has also published a novella, which relates to In Search of Adam, called Disraeli Avenue, with profits going to One in Four, a charity for people who have experienced sexual abuse.
Caroline's books are hard-hitting and unflinching in the subjects she covers. In Search Of Adam talks about child abuse and Black Boxes about post-natal depression. The subject matter contrasts starkly with her beautiful and descriptive writing.
Caroline Smailes Author Interview
Bibliography
Disraeli Avenue (a novella)
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Posted by Helen Redfern on October 15, 2008 in Spotlight | Permalink
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