The Writers of Wales Database

JACKMAN, SARAH

Email: sarah_jackman@hotmail.com
Website: http://authors.simonandschuster.co.uk/Sarah-Jackman/62699841

Novelist and short story writer. Born in Berlin, Sarah has lived in the UK, France and Germany. She moved to Wales in 2004. Sarah is an Arts Administrator for a fine-arts organisation in Swansea and also runs Arts and Business workshops on a free-lance basis.

Sarah’s writing explores the psychology of characters in contemporary situations often highlighting current issues and social concerns. Her themes include judgement, a sense of place and contemporary relationships. She received a 2006 Writer’s Bursary from the Academi and is a member of the Academi. Sarah is currently working on her fifth novel.

Sarah has recently become interested in working with visual artists and her latest collaborative project is working with a printmaker to lead a series of nature-inspired writing and printmaking courses.

Reviews:
With respect to Never Stop Looking (Simon & Schuster, 2009):

"…Skillfully told in candid detail … the book delicately reveals the dedication of partners and the kindness of strangers..."
Candis (Book of the Month, April 2009)

With respect to Summer Circles (Simon & Schuster, 2010):

"...A compelling tale..."
Woman

"...Sarah’s characters are engaging and you just can’t help keep turning the pages..."
Norwich Evening News

Selected Publications:
Laughing as they Chased Us (Simon & Schuster, 2005)
The Other Lover (Simon & Schuster, 2007)
Never Stop Looking (Simon & Schuster, 2009)
Summer Circles (Simon & Schuster, 2010)

Contributed to:
The International Short Story Magazine (contributor) (World Wide Writers, 2000)
Safe World Gone (contributor) (Honno, 2007)





The Other Lover (Simon & Schuster, 2007)

Laura and Adam adore their life in Brighton. They’re in love, and it’s uncomplicated, and that’s just how they like it. But all that changes when Laura meets an eccentric older couple in the local cafe, Alessandros. Laura is immediately drawn to Rose and William, whose flamboyancy and joie-de-vivre appeal to a side of her that is rarely shown. But early in their friendship the terrible truth of Rose’s future is revealed - she is in the final stages of a devastating terminal illness. Laura and Rose grow ever closer, and when the time finally comes they expect to be able to lay Rose to rest in the peace that she deserves. But soon insidious rumours are flying about as to the real cause of Rose’s death; was it the illness that killed her, or did her husband, William, take matters into his own hands? In the weeks that follow Laura and William are thrown together as he struggles to prove his innocence - until finally, their friendship becomes something more, and Laura is left reeling from the consequences.

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Never Stop Looking (Simon & Schuster, 2009)

Six years after her husband disappeared without trace, Abbie Silvas still searches for him obsessively. Unwilling to leave her Vauxhall flat for any length of time, just in case he comes back, she lives a strange, museum-like half-life, still waiting for Nick’s return, still wondering what happened to him. But the fragile balance of Abbie’s world is set to change, when Owen moves into the flat above. Newly separated, Owen too is dealing with the sudden loss of family life. Missing his children desperately, he becomes drawn to his lonely neighbour, intrigued by her sad story. Could Owen and his children’s arrival prove the catalyst that will enable Abbie to let go of Nick, heal, and move on? But Abbie and Nick’s marriage was not the perfect union she remembers. Abbie is finding it increasingly hard to paper over the cracks in her memories. And the intrusion of Owen and his children will force her to confront feelings and memories that have long been frozen ...

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Summer Circles (Simon & Schuster, 2010)

Three women share a love for the Ruland family home set in the heart of the Fen countryside, but over the long, hot summer days the idyll is in danger of collapsing under the weight of secrets. With her unusual appearance and shy nature, Hannah leads a sheltered, dream-like life until her mother, Ella, is forced to face some demons. She becomes increasingly restless and disappears for hours making Hannah turn to a young stranger, Toby, for company. Together, they befriend the Crop Circle followers who have set up camp next to a local wheat-field where mysterious patterns have appeared. Kirsten falls in love with Henry, Ella’s middle son, rediscovering a passion she has dreamed about since childhood. Longing to be accepted by the close-knit family, Kirsten unwittingly stirs up conflicting emotions and long-buried resentments. Will Ella regain her peace? Will Kirsten win acceptance? Will Hannah break out from under the spell of her home? As summer draws to a close, all three women have decisions to make and a confrontation seems inevitable.

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