ELT Writers Break Through

Philip Prowse, UK

Penny Hancock and Sorrel Pitts, both involved in the graded reader scene, have each just published a first novel. And, in different ways, both books reflect a watery theme. Sorrel’s novel, The River Woman, is described by Sir Michael Parkinson as ‘A fascinating story told by a very promising writer.’ In the book, Nicola is saved from an almost certain snowy death, and finds herself drawn into the secret of her father and son rescuers, while she still guards her own dark secret.

S.J. Watson (author of Before I Sleep) describes Penny’s book, Tideline, as ‘Brilliantly written and totally gripping.’ It’s the story of Sonia’s obsession with a teenage boy she imprisons in her Thames-side house, which awakens disturbing memories of her own childhood.

Both novels have surprise, shocking, endings and both show that ELT writers can break through into mainstream fiction. Sorrel Pitts is Readers Editor at OUP and Penny Hancock is an author of readers for CUP. The River Woman is available at www.indigodreamsbookshop.com and Amazon, and Tideline is published by Simon and Schuster.