for readers drawn to the gothic,
the introspective, and the uncanny
from the darker edges of thought
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reflections, haunting tales, and occasional invitations to go deeper
I’m Julie, an author and lifelong reader drawn to the darker edges of story.
In 2023, I lost my husband to cancer. What remains with me is the way he chose to meet his death: with bravery and faith in something beyond this life.
It’s shaped how I see the world.
I write because stories matter.
Because in the right story, we find something of ourselves reflected back: our fear, our endurance, our capacity to continue.
In my writing, women walk through shadow.
And, in doing so, begin to uncover their own strength.
towers and spires
Read about the Motorcycle Church Challenge.
Before he died Richard got on his motorcycle to raise money for charity.
We found Kings, drowned towns, and faith in turbulent times.
Towers and Spires
a FREE download
read more on my blog…
Why Are We Drawn to Gothic Romantic Heroes?
Storm-lit moors. A man stands alone against the wind. There's a past he rarely speaks of. A loyalty that runs soul-deep. Why does this character in books, films and our imagination still move us? Why, in a world that celebrates emotional transparency and lightness,...
The Glade That Sparked a Legend: Tolkien Roos
It was raining on and off as I drove home through the quiet village of Roos. The sky was shifting between slate grey and sudden brightness, the kind that makes you pause. I thought I might take a picture of the 13th-century church under the dramatic clouds, and maybe...
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The first Church Walk Challenge
How we found strength in grief on a walk challenge to 5 churches and raised over £900 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Read more here
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Contact us at ink@thedarkpen.com