Lucy Hounsom is a British author of fantasy and myth, who also writes under the name Lucy Holland.[1] She is best known for her 2021 novel, Sistersong. She also acts as co-host for the British Fantasy Award-winning[2] feminist podcast, Breaking the Glass Slipper.[3]
Lucy Hounsom | |
|---|---|
 Lucy Hounsom at Cymera festival, 2024. | |
| Born | Lucy Hounsom April 1986 |
| Pen name | Lucy Holland |
| Occupation | Author |
Career
editHounsom grew up in the Thames Valley, but moved with her parents to Sidmouth in 2009.[4] She wrote stories from an early age, and cites as her influences Alan Garner, Tolkien, Terry Pratchett and David Eddings.[5] She went on to study English and Creative Writing at Royal Holloway,[6] studied for a creative writing MA under Andrew Motion,[7] then worked as a bookseller for Waterstones for twelve years before becoming a full-time author.[3]
Her first novel, Starborn, was published by Tor after having been discovered by an intern on an agent's slush pile.[5] It was followed by two further novels, Heartland and Firestorm, completing the Worldmaker Trilogy.
Under the pen name Lucy Holland, she went on in 2021 to write Sistersong, a novel loosely based on the Child Ballad, Twa Sisters,[8] which was followed in 2024 by Song of the Huntress.
Hounsom lives in Devon. Her younger sister, also a novelist, writes under the name Laura Madeleine.[9]
Themes
editThemes include: the challenging of gender roles[10], reimagining myths[11] and the different concepts of heroism,[12] as well as "the search for identity, and our lost connection with nature."[13]
Reception
editStarborn was shortlisted in the 2016 Gemmell Awards for Best Fantasy Debut.[6] The Independent listed it among the best fantasy debuts of 2015.[14] Sistersong was a finalist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award[15] and the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2022.[16] The AU Review describes it as: "authentic and well researched... the writing is as strong and beautiful as you could hope for, and the folkloric end result is fantastic."[17]
Bibliography
editThe Worldmaker Trilogy
- 2015: Lucy Hounsom (2015). Starborn: The Worldmaker Trilogy: Book One. Tor. p. 300. ISBN 1447268458.
- 2017: Lucy Hounsom (2017). Heartland: The Worldmaker Trilogy: Book Two. Pan. p. 496. ISBN 9781447268628.
- 2017: Lucy Hounsom (2017). Firestorm: The Worldmaker Trilogy: Book Three. Pan. p. 512. ISBN 1509840516.
- 2021: Lucy Holland (2021). Sistersong. Macmillan. p. 416. ISBN 1529039037.
- 2024: Lucy Holland (2024). Song of the Huntress. Macmillan. p. 432. ISBN 1529077400.
References
edit- ^ "Lucy Holland". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "sfadb : British Fantasy Awards All Nominees". www.sfadb.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b Hounsom, Lucy (2024-03-28). "Yes, we're also authors – with Lucy and Charlotte | Breaking the Glass Slipper". Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sibling rivalry, murder and transformation feature in Sidmouth author's latest book". Sidmouth Herald. 2021-04-05. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b "Author Interview: Lucy Hounsom". Book Club Forum. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ a b "About | Lucy Hounsom". 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Lucy Hounsom". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Schwizer, Fabienne (2021-01-02). "REVIEW: Sistersong by Lucy Holland". Grimdark Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ "Event: Winstone's Sidmouth". Laura Madeleine. 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Hughes, Sarah (2015-04-12). "Feeding the Hunger – female writers are storming the male citadels of sci-fi". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Interviewing Lucy Hounsom — Runalong The Shelves". Runalong The Shelves. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Yon, Mark (2015-03-07). "Interview: Lucy Hounsom – SFFWorld". Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Sibling rivalry, murder and transformation feature in Sidmouth author's latest book". Sidmouth Herald. 2021-04-05. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Barnett, David (2015). "Female SFF Writers you should read now". The Independent.
- ^ locusmag (2022-08-01). "2022 Glass Bell Award Shortlist". Locus Online. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "Lucy Holland". Redruth Book Feast. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ Sloan, Jodie (2021-08-11). "Book Review: Lucy Holland's Sistersong is a compelling folkoric fantasy, perfect for fans of Circe". The AU Review. Retrieved 2024-10-07.