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My Writing Journey by Mollie Sykes

It is my great pleasure to welcome fellow author Mollie Sykes to the blog today. Mollie has published several books and contributed to various anthologies. She was recently signed by SpellBound Books Ltd for her novel due out later this year. Here she explains how she accomplished this.


Thanks for having me here today, Val. It's ironic, but when I was in school, I always said, ‘I don’t care what I do after school, as long as it’s got nothing to do with English!’

My writing journey started at 17, it came with the realisation I have scotopic sensitivity, or visual stress. After being given overlays, I could suddenly read, and in that one year (2018) I read over 200 books, mostly fantasy fiction. It was only while reading that my passion for writing fantasy fiction came to life. I’d constantly be thinking, but what if. So, I picked up a pen and started writing.


In 2020, I signed up to University centre Grimsby to attend their professional and creative writing degree, wanting to improve my writing and learn how I could get my works out there. During this time, I learnt I was also dyslexic. Having support for a learning difficulty for the first time in my life was amazing. Naturally my passion grew ever deeper. I even wrote a game.


During my time at University, I was encouraged by a friend to attend a local writing group. I took the plunge and went. It was the best decision, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

My debut novel was my final major project at Uni and was titled ‘Suck it, Sister.’ The story is Fantasy fiction and follows the path of Freyja, a young divorcee, as she discovers the secrets of her hometown.


Originally it was self-published, but in 2024, I attended a writers' retreat where I met the lovely Spellbound Books ladies, Sumaira Wilson and Nikki East. They ran a course on publishing with an option to pitch to the publisher. Despite having spoken to the ladies the previous night, I found I was unable to get in front of everyone to tell them about my novel. This is when my author friend and biggest supporter, Gemma Owen-Kendall stepped in. She pitched my novel for me and Spellbound Books took it on. I’ll forever be grateful that Gemma helped me.


It was during this time I also met Val Penny, she was incredibly welcoming and friendly. She even managed the impossible task of helping me from my bubble of social anxiety, to have many conversations with her. Conversations that have further fueled my love and passion of the written word.

At the beginning of 2025 I published Redemption Academy, which is the first book I ever wrote and holds a special place in my heart. This is the first book in the fantasy series The Triplets, and follows the journey of Ivy, a young woman who is accused of a crime she can’t remember. The story is about her journey of self-discovery as well as her road to finding her family. Although a heads up, it gets steamy and is a why choose novel, meaning she doesn’t choose between her love interests.


I’m so grateful for the help and support of fellow Authors, friends and family.  I’d like to take a moment to thank Val Penny again for inviting me to her blog today and also for inviting me to attend Authors in Wonderland with her later in the year. Authors in Wonderland taking place at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham on 26 July 2025. In aid of the National Autistic Society.

The Links


Find Redemption Academy at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DW4HX2K4




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