zoemarriott.com

	Home

	The Swan Kingdom

	Daughter of the Flames

	Works in Progress/Future Books

	Books I Love

	Frequently Asked Questions

	Me and Writing

	Tips for Young Writers

	Signed Books and School Vists

	Links

Zoë's Home

This website is a place for me to share information about my books, about writing, myself and other things I think are fun or useful. Anyone who loves books, reading and writing should find something interesting here - and any suggestions for new pages and topics can be sent to me on the link below. I update this site pretty frequently - more frequently when people are using it and sending me emails - so please check back often.

NEWSFLASH: The Swan Kingdom has been short-listed for the Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award, which is really humbling, considering the other names on the list. It has also been nominated for a 2008 Cybil Award in the Young Adult SF category. Go TSK!

About me:

My full name is Zoë Davina Marriott and I was born on a rainy day in April twenty-five (God, I'm oooold!) years ago. I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I finished reading my first book; 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton. I think I was about eight, but I've never changed my mind in all the years since then.

My favourite film is 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' and my favourite colour is green. I can't name a favourite book - there are far too many that I love.

I'm blonde with green eyes, but I inherited my grandmother's redhead skin, which means that I don't tan at all, only burn (though I have some freckles on my nose, which I'm quite proud of). I live in a little house by the sea, with my two rescued cats, one called Hero after a Shakespearian character and one Echo after a nymph from a Greek myth.

I also have a springer/cocker spaniel called Finbar (otherwise known as The Devil Hound). There's a picture of him below.

I work four days a week as a civil servant to pay the bills, but I consider writing to be my real job (sorry boss!).

My fantasy for young adults,The Swan Kingdom, which is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale 'The Wild Swans', was released by Walker Books in March 2007 in the UK, in Australia in May 2007, and from Candlewick Press in the US in March 2008.

Niall MacGonagle at the Irish Times called the book:

"...A lyrical, psychological account...with what we all want - a kiss and a happy ending."

Amazon reviewers commented:

"...adds depth and complexity to the characters while preserving the magic and wonder of the fairytale setting."

"Through dreams and nightmares, attempted murder and malevolent [sic] magic, Princess Alexandra survives and triumphs, and in her realistic battles with her own destiny and her enemies a new children's classic is born. Definitely one to watch."

Susan Elkin at the SedEd website said:

"The Swan Kingdom surprised me by hitting all the buttons. The feisty Alexandra is a hapless but indefatigable princess-figure...

"[The Swan Kingdom is] a traditional – and beautifully written – fairy/adventure story about the conflict between good and evil. But it also manages to be a feminist tale about a flesh-and-blood girl who has periods and feels the ache of sexual desire... Quite an achievement."

My second young adult novel, Daughter of the Flames, which is a story about love and war, was released in March 2008 in the UK and will come out in the US by Candlewick in March 2009.

More information about each of these stories and how they came to be written, along with their first chapters, can be found on their individual pages.

The website is also stuffed with lists of books, authors and music that I recommend, links to other sites I like, information about how I write, and lots more. Any comments or questions, or suggestions on things you'd like me to add, can be sent to me here. Please leave the password Alexandra in the subject line (this is to fool spammers). I look forward to hearing from you.

Modify Website