Hello and welcome,

I can’t tell you how much it means that you’re here at the very start of this journey. Writing can be such a solitary act, but sharing it with others is what brings the words to life.

One of the most rewarding parts of preparing this book has been working with my ARC readers. They’ve not only spotted mistakes (always a bonus when you’re a one-person publishing team!) but have also offered honest, heartfelt feedback. Reading how they connected with the story in ways I hadn’t expected has been deeply moving.

One reader described Deep House as “terrifying and compelling and just brilliant,” while another said that a single line — ‘loneliness is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen’ - has stayed with them. It’s humbling to know the story resonates beyond the page.

As a thank-you for being part of this from the beginning, I put together The Deep House Files — a small collection that gives a glimpse into the story behind the story: backgrounds, character foundations, and perhaps a few reasons behind certain behaviours. I loved collating them, and I hope they offer a richer experience of the world surrounding Deep House.

A little “behind the scenes”: the book you’ll soon be holding was actually written twelve years ago. For a long time, it sat in a cupboard gathering dust — nearly shredded in a house move. Back then, I wasn’t ready (or brave enough) to do anything with it. Somewhere along the way, I’ve grown older, a little wiser, and much less concerned with judgement. And so, here it is, finally finding its way into the light.

The photo below shows that dusty old draft — proof that sometimes stories just need time to find their moment.