Thank you for visiting my website.

I am a contemporary fiction writer living in beautiful Henley-on-Thames and am represented by the fabulous Felicity Trew of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency.

My debut novel, Another Us was published in 2020 by the wonderful Canelo (I know, I know –  launching in the middle of a global pandemic wasn’t exactly in the plan!)  Another Us is the – hopefully! – heartwarming, poignant and funny story of a marriage at breaking point. Emma and Daniel’s son Jack has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and Emma is horrified to discover that 80% of such marriages fall apart. With its focus on family life, its humour and its exploration of relationships, I hope that Another Us will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven books with satisfying emotional content and just a little grit.

My second book is something quite different. It is a saga set in London in 1915! The Post Office Girls –  written as Poppy Cooper – will be published by Hodder & Stoughton  as an ebook in April 2021, with the paperback following shortly afterwards in May. (Will we still be in lock-down by then? Who knows?!) The Post Office Girls is the first in a series of novels following the lives and loves of the girls who worked in the Army Post Office sorting parcels and letters to the soldiers serving at the various fronts in WW1. When I discovered that the Army built a huge wooden building on The Regent’s Park to cope with all the demand, I knew that it would make a great backdrop for a story and I really hope I’ve done it justice. The first story follows 18 year old Beth on a journey on self discovery as she leaves her family village shop in Hertfordshire to do her bit and the fun, challenges and adventures that she has along the way. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed research and writing it; it was obviously a horrendous time, but there were opportunities for women like never before.  A second book, provisionally titled A Post Office Christmas, will follow in November  – I’d better get a wriggle on and finish writing it! 

In my ‘spare’ time, I’m also working on a second contemporary novel – a romantic-comedy affectionately titled Muddy Milly – which is set on an archaeological dig. I’m keeping this one very close to my chest for the time being but, when it’s finished, will start submitting it to publishers. 

You can follow my writing journey on my blog or connect with me on Twitter where I spend far too much time and tweet as @Kirsten_Hesketh. I love chatting to readers!