Dear Reader,

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Thank you for visiting my website. I’ve been writing for publication since the year 2000 and became a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association a few years later. Since then, I’ve tried to up my game by attending workshops, meeting with other writers and  reading and writing as much as possible.

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I decided to study for a Masters in Creative Writing not only because I wanted to give myself a challenge, but because I felt the time was right. It’s not necessary to have any formal qualifications when seeking publication, but my course helped me meet deadlines, made me aware how much I had to learn, and gave me the chance to drink coffee in the Students’ Union with my new writing buddies! More importantly, I gained the confidence to offer my services as a tutor and I owe my first chance to the late Kate d’Lima, then based at Swansea University. Since then, I’ve helped many adults and high school students to let their imaginations fly. It’s always a joy to hear when someone I’ve helped gains publication or wins a competition.

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I love to entertain my readers and I get a big kick out of writing novellas for D C Thomson – an even bigger one if I’m shopping in a supermarket and I see someone pop my latest pocket novel in her trolley. Many of these novellas have become Linford Romances, and you can find these large print books on the shelves of public libraries.

I enjoy giving talks and leading workshops at libraries and I also support my local branch where I attend monthly Book Club meetings to discuss the crime novel chosen for us all to read.

 

Yes, I confess to turning to crime, but only in a literary sense! My first full-length psychological suspense is far darker than my romantic novels but I can’t imagine writing something that doesn’t include at least a romantic frisson. My book club friends are very helpful when I ask them such vital questions as what qualities they admire in a hero. After they all read The House Sitter, they decided which male actor they considered my hero resembled. I have to say, although my protagonist is a little younger than Hugh Jackman, the book clubbers are spot on.

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I hope you’ll find something to interest you in the Jill Barry blog section and if you read one of my books, I hope you enjoy it.

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Best wishes,

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Jill Barry

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