AUTHOR PROFILE

Lucienne Boyce

Lucienne Boyce was born and brought up in Wolverhampton. After reading Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, she worked in London and Bristol, and until 2010 was an administrator at the University of Bristol.

Lucienne completed an MA in English Literature (with Distinction) with the Open University in autumn 2006, specialising in eighteenth-century fiction. Her first published novel, To The Fair Land (2012) is set in the eighteenth century. To The Fair Land was selected for inclusion in the Locally Sourced events at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival of Literature.

She has recently published a history of the Bristol suffragettes, and also given talks and written articles about the suffragettes.

She is currently working on a murder mystery set in the 1790s.

When she is not writing, Lucienne enjoys walking in Bristol and the surrounding countryside. The history and landscape of the south west provides much of the inspiration for her work.

Lucienne is a member of the Historical Novel Society (HNS), having joined shortly after the HNS was founded fifteen years ago. She has written numerous articles, reviews and interviews for the HNS (interviewees include Bernard Cornwell, Helen Dunmore and Sarah Waters) and was editor of the fortnightly eNewsletter for three years. She established and runs the Bristol and South West HNS group, and is organiser of and speaker for the HNS’s “Meet the Historians” initiative which brings together writers, academics, archaeologists, archivists, genealogists etc and members of the public. She is a member of the Women’s History Network and the Regional History Network.

Bibliography:

To The Fair Land, SilverWood Books, 2012 (historical fiction). Also available as a Kindle edition

The Bristol Suffragettes, SilverWood Books, 2013 (non fiction)

Synopses of books:

To The Fair Land

In 1789 hack writer Ben Dearlove sets out to trace the anonymous author of a best-selling book about a voyage to the Great Southern Continent. Everyone thinks the book is fiction: Captain Cook proved there was no Southern Continent. But others are interested in the author’s secrets, and the quest proves more dangerous than Ben had anticipated. Before he can discover the shocking truth, Ben has to get out of prison, catch a thief, and bring a murderer to justice.

The Bristol Suffragettes

In 1907 suffragette Annie Kenney brought the militants' fight for women's right to vote to Bristol. For the next few years the city rang with the cry "Votes for Women!". From colourful demonstrations on the Downs and stone-throwing in the Centre, to riot on Queen's Road and arson in the suburbs, the book tells the fascinating story of Bristol's suffragette years. Also includes a map and short walk in the Bristol of the suffragettes.

Pitch to Publishers & Festival Organisers:

Lucienne has given numerous talks to interest groups, local history groups and schools as well as at literary festivals on The Bristol Suffragettes (local history) or To The Fair Land (historical fiction). She has spoken at the Women’s History Network Annual Conference, and for the University of Bristol’s Institute of Advanced Studies. She has appeared on local radio several times to talk about To The Fair Land or The Bristol Suffragettes (including an hour long programme on International Women’s Day in 2013, and several appearances on BBC Radio Bristol), and was recently on the BBC One Politics West television programme. She has also led guided walks around sites connected with suffragette history.

“By the end of the walk I had learned a huge amount about the suffrage movement as a whole as well as the Bristol suffragettes.” Walk participant.

“The talk was detailed and logically organised, building to the climax of the burnings, riots, arrests etc and illustrated by interesting slides. We all learned a great deal.” Talk given to Athene Graduate Women’s Group.

“Fascinating!” “I never knew that!” “We must have more history programmes on Talking Books.” Feedback from listeners following an interview about The Bristol Suffragettes and suffragettes in Devon and Somerset on 10Radio’s Talking Books show. This show has been the “most listened to” podcast since it was broadcast.

To The Fair Land

"The story is unpredictable and unusual and I didn't see the twists coming - which is a refreshing change...Also, To the Fair Land was well researched and had the 'right feel' for the time in which it was set...I was disappointed when I had reached the end - I didn't want it to finish!"

Michele Gent, Historical Novel Society Indies Reviews

"A tale of mystery, romance and adventure...the tension builds to a strategically placed and refreshingly unpredictable twist."

Jodie Vowles, Literature Works.

Read more reviews (including Amazon reviews) at http://www.lucienneboyce.com/fiction/

The Bristol Suffragettes

"...an excellent book...The Bristol Suffragettes by Lucienne Boyce is a clear and readable account of the national and local struggle."

Eugene Byrne, Bristol Times, 17 September 2013.

"Comprehensive and immensely readable. It would be a terrific resource for anyone studying the subject at any level."

Suzie Grogan, Presenter, Talking Books, 10 Radio.

Read more reviews (including Amazon) at http://www.lucienneboyce.com/suffragettes/

Awards & Prizes:

Literary Festival Appearances:

Cheltenham 2012 (Locally Sourced, reading)

Bristol 2012 (panel event on historical fiction with Helen Hollick and Jenny Barden)

Bristol 2013 (1. Participant and organiser of panel event on maritime history and fiction with Julian Stockwin, Dr Steve Poole, Adrian Tinniswood and Bristol Museums. 2. organiser of a panel event on Roman history and fiction with Manda Scott, Ben Kane and Bristol Museums.)

Havant 2013 (a talk on suffragettes in Hampshire and the south west, followed by a panel event chaired by Natalie Bennett and with Lucinda Hawksley and Lucy Fisher).

Website address: http://www.lucienneboyce.com/

Twitter: @LucienneWrite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucienne.boyce?ref=tn_tnmn

Other Social Media: Good Reads https://www.goodreads.com/

Contact email: [email protected]