Hi! I’m Jacquie Bloese, a writer of historical bookclub fiction, originally from the Channel Island of Guernsey. I draw my inspiration from atmospheric locations, with intriguing histories, and people - both real and imaginary - whose stories are calling out to be told.   

I’ve always loved watching people and making things up and I first saw my words in print at the age of 16, when a piece I wrote on school discos was published in an anthology by Virago Press. If I’d known then that it would be at least thirty-five years before the publication of my first novel, I’d probably have been horrified! But life, as they say, got in the way for a while. After a memorable couple of years teaching English in Turkey and Spain, I found a career in English Language Teaching publishing, a job which combined my love of travel, languages, and different cultures. 

It wasn’t until my fortieth birthday that I started thinking I should take my writing a bit more seriously … and I’m so glad I did! Since then, my work has been shortlisted for several awards, including the Good Housekeeping First Novel Award, Caledonia Novel Award, and the Mslexia Novel Award.  My debut novel The French House was a Richard and Judy 2022 winter book club pick.

After many years in London, I now live in Brighton, where I combine writing fiction with my job as a freelance ELT writer, editor and consultant.