Drift
The story of my story...
Under one of my pen names, Jennifer Summerland, I’ve submitted my YA/adult crossover fantasy thriller Drift for the Libraro Prize run with Hachette.
In a strange part of Cornwall, where the land mysteriously moves, drifting to new positions, teenagers Quinn and Cendine must learn to outwit the destiny fate has written for them. Dangerous men plan to harness the land’s movement with the help of local children. Will Quinn and Cendine choose life and avoid revenge? Combining elements of steam punk and fantasy, ghost story and lost domain romance, Drift is a compelling story of mystery and adventure with a serpentine twist in the tail.
Do check out the sample chapters or the whole novel here.
I’ll be incredibly grateful for any likes, comments, saves or shares.
The story of my story. How it came about…
On our way to our dream holiday location in Cornwall loved by my family, we have often driven through the real Cornish village of Drift near Penzance. One dark night, on our way home, for a bit of fun, the family began speculating about the village actually drifting, physically moving around to different places as its name suggests.
Imagine my surprise when, a few weeks ago, I received a package in the post from my dear friend, the author Jennifer Summerland. It contained the manuscript of a novel she has written entitled Drift. She described it as ‘a compelling story of mystery and adventure with a serpentine twist in the tail. It combines elements of steam punk and fantasy, ghost story and lost domain romance’.
The inspiration for the story, she said, ‘was the spellbinding landscape and magical atmosphere of West Penwith, the furthermost part of Cornwall with its myths and ghost stories, its stone circles and menhirs, its old mine workings and ancient fogous.’ Jennifer, who has had five teenage children in her care, also wanted to explore the relationship between two young people faced by uncertainty and violence.
I read her story with interest as yet another example of her Celtic fantasy genre, as it’s become known. I’m sure it will appeal to young and old alike.
But then last week I was alarmed to receive the following letter:
