By profession I’m a psychologist and psychotherapist, therefore I guess it makes sense that I write psychological suspense novels. I particularly enjoy developing my characters: exploring what makes them tick, their personal challenges, their values and motivations. I also love coming up with the plot; devising how A leads to B and exploring the question ‘what if?’ as I work out how we then get to Z.
In 2017 I attended Faber Academy and won the Blue Pencil First Novel Award in 2018. My debut Her Little Secret was published in September 2021 by Orion Dash and my second psychological suspense novel The Accident in October 2022. The Accident was selected as The Crime Readers Association Recommended Read of the month in December 2022.
I’m a member of the Society of Authors and The Crime Writers’ Association.
I grew up with a book in my hand and have eclectic tastes in reading. Aside from suspense, I particularly like novels which introduce me to new ideas and other ways of life. Authors I’ve recently enjoyed include: Colum McCann, Trent Dalton, Khaled Hosseini, John Boyne, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tim Winton, Tan Twan Eng, Jing-Jing Lee and Anna Bailey.
I enjoy public speaking and running workshops on a variety of writing and/or psychology related topics. Recent events include: an online talk on Digital First Publishing for the Society of Authors; workshops on Writing for Mental Wellbeing for WinterFest and Faber Academy students; a workshop on The Psychology of Character for Essex Authors Day; and taking part in an online discussion on psychology in writing with a panel of fellow psychologists, led by the suspense author Philippa East.
Summer 2023 looks like it’s going to be busy! I’m running a workshop on the Psychology of Character at the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol – more information here. Then in June, me and three other crime writers are taking to the road with Behind the Covers of Crime, an exploration of the different subgenres of crime as part of National Crime Reading Month. More information to come as dates are confirmed. Sign up to my blog if you want to be the first to know.
I have also written articles for a number of publications and online sites, including:
The Psychologist
https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/safely-living-darker-side-life
booksbywomen.org
https://booksbywomen.org/the-psychology-of-personality-bringing-your-characters-to-life/
https://booksbywomen.org/describing-what-you-cant-imagine/
Jericho Writers
https://jerichowriters.com/julia-stone-managing-publishing-expectations-and-psychology-in-writing/
https://jerichowriters.com/sensory-language-examples-in-fiction/
Aphantasia Network
https://aphantasia.com/creative-workarounds-for-aphantasics/
Alongside writing, my other creative pursuit is art. I studied for a fine art degree as a mature student, making sculptures and 3D work. Now I focus on ceramics, making decorative/abstract works in my studio and volunteering once a week teaching pottery at a local centre for adults with disabilities. Examples of my work can be seen on the websites of Anglian Potters and the Society for Designer Craftsmen and – if you’re interested – I occasionally post images and information about exhibitions on Twitter @JulesTake3 and Instagram @Julia.Stone.Writer
You can find other writing related links at linktr.ee/JuliaStone