WRITER
STORYTELLER
TEACHER
Julie Hartley
Welcome to my website! I’m a novelist, poet, creative writing teacher, editor, retreat leader and parrot owner. Here, you’ll find details of my books, including my two historical novels, set in England during World War 2 and released by Bookouture. You’ll also find information on this website about my annual creative writing retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica, and my creative writing classes for adults and teens. Check out my blog, too, for writing prompts and techniques, tales of travel and musings on a creative life. Oh – and there are a few stories about the parrot, too.
The Promise She Made is Out Now!
It’s September 1940, and with the Blitz underway 18-year-old Ruby is determined to protect her little sister from the bombs – after all, she promised as much to their mother, just before she died. So, Ruby books passage for them both on the SS City of Benares, to safety in Canada. However, her plan backfires when the Nazis torpedo the ship as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean. Ruby is injured, and eight-year-old Eliza is reported ‘lost at sea’.
Back in England, Ruby sets about rebuilding her life, determined to plough all her energy into the defeat of Nazi Germany. She trains as a spy and prepares to parachute into Occupied France. But then, she stumbles on a letter that changes everything. It seems her sister may not be dead, after all.
The Promise She Made is available on Kindle and in paperback through most online stores or by following this link: https://geni.us/ThePromiseSheMade
Creative Writing: How to Get Started
You don’t have to dream of publication to enjoy creative writing. The writing process has something to offer everyone, and carries enormous benefits even if you never share anything you write. Remember what it felt like, as a small child, [...]
Reader Questions Answered!
Now that three weeks have passed since the publication date of my first novel, Her Secret Soldier, I’ve had time to collect a few reader-questions. I thought it would be fun (and useful) to respond to those questions here. Why did [...]
Her Secret Soldier: More Reviews!
More reviews for Her Secret Soldier are in! Here’s some of what reviewers have to say on Amazon. Reviews from Amazon Canada "A page turner! Couldn’t stop reading! Julie Hartley writes wonderful prose and a can’t-miss-plot!" "Refreshingly unique [...]