Julia Jarman

Born talking - that's what my mum said! - I was soon telling stories and never stopped. For the last forty years I have been a writer of books for children. My stories were for and about the children in my life, my son and two daughters, my grandchildren and young readers in schools and libraries, which I loved visiting. That was fine till lock-down when suddenly life became a lot less fun. A widow, I live alone and with no one to talk to, except my cat, it felt lonely. But there was a plus, more time to write. I picked up a novel I’d started a few years after my husband died - and I finished it. I’m thrilled to say that THE WIDOWS' WINE CLUB, was published by Boldwood Books in August 2023, and it has sold and sold, 70,000 copies to date. Have a look at the reviews. Lots of readers are enjoying the company of my three widows, sweary Viv, straight-laced Janet, and glamorous Zelda, unlikely friends when they meet at the undertakers, but bonding over a bottle of wine, shared experience and a determination to enjoy life. I’m delighted to say that the sequel, WIDOWS ON THE WINE PATH, came out in April 2024 to even greater acclaim - look at the reviews - and there’s another one on the way, WIDOWS WAIVE THE RULES, out January 2025. Yes, I feel a series coming on and have begun book four! I am still writing for children and two new picture-books came out in 2024. CHEEKY CHICK was published by Boxer Books in January. Illustrated brilliantly by Tom Knight, it's proving popular. Reading it to 800 children in Big Park Read in Portsmouth was a highlight of the year, I felt like a rock star. POONAMI came out in September. Illustrated by Priscilla Lamont who brings out all the humour, it's a hilarious story of family life, depicting a red-faced moment parents know only too well. My books have stood the test of time. BIG RED BATH, CLASS TWO AT THE ZOO and many more, are still available from Amazon, as are five titles in my TIME TRAVELLING CAT series where Topher and Ka the time-travelling cat explore life in Egyptian, Roman, Aztec, Tudor, Viking and Victorian times. You’ll also find HANGMAN a novel for teenagers, based on real life, posing the question: What do you do when you know someone is being bullied? You'll find my backlist in libraries. I write to entertain and to empower. That’s true of my stories for children and for adults. I agree with Dr Samuel Johnson who said, ‘The only end of writing is to enable readers better to enjoy life - or endure it.’ Was that Dr J’s way of recommending ‘feel-good fiction’? I hope so because that’s what I write! If you like what I write please tell others by leaving a review on Amazon. I enjoy most aspects of writing, even being stuck-at-home. I love my house and garden and my cat. I don't have a great urge to travel, but I am perhaps more extrovert than most writers, so I like being invited to talk about my work. I’ll travel far and wide to meet readers so please invite me if you’d like to know more about me and my books. Or talk to me on Zoom. Or virtually visit me on my website. I'll look forward to hearing from you!