Acknowledgements.
F irst of all, I would like to thank my family and friends who have been waiting patiently for this book to finally get finished. It has taken me just over seven to write Girl in the Red Coat. I truly hope that this book was worth the wait. As well as you all, for continuing to push me to get this book written and shared with everyone.
Thank you to the Globe Writers. As always, your guidance and support is truly appreciated. Without all of you and our weekly meet ups, I don’t think I would have carried on with writing as much as I have done.
Thank you to Matthew Head, the owner of the Globe Coffeeshop for supporting writers like myself.
Thank you to David Huggett (David Huggett Photography) for creating a fabulous book cover for Girl in the Red Coat (you may recognise the model)
Last of all thank you to my editor Dr Fallon Gold, you have done an amazing job editing my first ever novel.
About the Author
G emma is an author living in Grimsby, UK. She has been writing on and off throughout her life mainly focusing on young adult fantasy and fiction, from filling in her English book at primary school to in her teens, writing stories hidden away in her bedroom.
Gemma attended Birkbeck Secondary School. Her favourite subjects were Expressive Arts along with English Literature and Language. Then she went on to study for her A Levels at Monks Dyke Technology College which is where her story is based. Her chosen subjects for her studies were Performing Arts, Film Studies and Media. The most enjoyable subject was Performing Arts where she had a good mix of drama and dance. Once completing her A Levels, Gemma went on to study her degree in Drama at the University of Lincoln. As well as being a writer, Gemma has performed at Louth Riverhead Theatre and she has worked as an extra (Bunny Girl, in a Bollywood film) and on Channel Four’s Cucumber. She was a guest star on Melvin and Ricky’s Summer Scoop show in 2014 that was aired on E4.
In 2013, Gemma enrolled onto an evening short story writing course at the Grimsby Institute. Whilst taking part in this course, Gemma had a daydream about a girl in a red coat. The idea took hold, leading her to this very story. Since then, to keep inspired, Gemma has attended numerous writing workshops in her area. One of the most memorable was a weekend writer’s retreat during January 2017, the same year she attended another evening writer’s course at the Grimsby Institute.
During the summer of 2018, a weekly writer’s workshop was formed at The Barge Inn, located in the centre of Grimsby Town. Sadly, the lady who ran this workshop could not continue it after a year. So, Gemma and a handful of other writers formed their own weekly meet up. Without a venue to go to they took it in turns to host at their own homes. Then in March 2019, Gemma, and fellow author Ants Ambridge, attended a monthly writer’s meeting at The Globe coffee shop in Cleethorpes. They spoke Matthew, the owner of The Globe, and learning of their need for a regular venue, he kindly offered to let them use his coffee shop every week. Thus, the Globe Writers was formed and has become a successful writing group in Cleethorpes which continues to grow. During the pandemic of Covid-19, the majority of the Globe Writers have kept in touch via a private Facebook member’s page.
Other books by Gemma:
Monday At Six - first published in October 2017 with Lincolnshire Literary Legends - Gemma has two short stories featured in this anthology.
Fish and Freaks - first published in October 2018 with Lincolnshire Literary Legends - Gemma has two short stories featured in this anthology.
Christmas Gifts - first published in December 2019, with The Globe Writers - Gemma has three short stories featured in this anthology – royalties made from this book will be donated to Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.
Innocent Times - first published in May 2020. Gemma’s solo debut book. A portion of the royalties from this book will be donated to The Book Trust Charity.
Tales from Lockdown - first published in November 2020 with The Globe Writers - Gemma has three short stories featured in this anthology.
This book and all its content are copyrighted by the author Gemma Owen-Kendall
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