Zoë Marriott

Zoë Marriott is the critically acclaimed author of eight feminist, diverse novels for young adults, which draw strongly on world mythology, fairytales and folklore. Her first book, The Swan Kingdom (Walker Books, 2007), based on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Wild Swans’, was written when she was just twenty-one. It went on to become a USBBY Outstanding International book, was shortlisted for the Lincolnshire Young People’s book award, longlisted for the Branford Boase award, and was chosen for the 2009 International Reading Association booklist. Shadows on the Moon (Walker Books 2011), a Japanese-influenced retelling of ‘Cinderella’, is widely considered a classic of UK young adult fiction. It won the Sasakawa prize, was placed in the Lancashire book of the year awards, and is an American Junior Library Guild selection. Her short story ‘Storm Clouds Fleeing from the Wind’ (Things I’ll Never Say anthology, Candlewick, 2015) was recommended for a James Tiptree Jr award.

Throughout her career Zoë has run nearly a hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, working with children in all areas of ability. She maintains an archive of writing advice on her well regarded blog, The Zoë-Trope, which is utilised by professional writers and young people alike. She has been lucky enough to have her work supported by grants from the Royal Literary Fund, the Society of Authors, and Arts Council England.

Zoë lives on the blustery north east coast of England in a tiny house with various beloved cats and dogs, and an ever-expanding collection of books.