Lucy Hounsom Explained

Birth Name:Lucy Claire Hounsom
Birth Date:April 1986
Pseudonym:Lucy Holland
Lucy Hounsom
Occupation:Author
Alma Mater:Royal Holloway, University of London

Lucy Claire Hounsom (born April 1986) is a British author of fantasy and myth, who also writes under the name Lucy Holland.[1] She is best known for her 2021 novel, Sistersong. She also co-hosts British Fantasy Award-winning[2] feminist podcast Breaking the Glass Slipper.[3]

Biography

Hounsom grew up in the Thames Valley[4] of Berkshire and attended Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead.[5] Though she initially trained as an actress and dancer, Hounsom wrote stories from an early age, and named Alan Garner, Tolkien, Terry Pratchett and David Eddings as her influences. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London.[6] She then pursued a Master of Arts (MA) under Andrew Motion.[7]

Hounsom worked as a bookseller for Waterstones for twelve years before becoming a full-time author. Her debut novel Starborn was published by Tor after having been discovered by an intern on an agent's slush pile.[8] It was followed by two further novels, Heartland and Firestorm, completing the Worldmaker Trilogy.

Under the pen name Lucy Holland, she went on in 2021 to write Sistersong, a novel loosely based on the child ballad Twa Sisters,[9] which was followed in 2024 by Song of the Huntress.

In 2009, Hounsom moved to Sidmouth, Devon with her parents.[4] Her younger sister, also a novelist, writes under the name Laura Madeleine.[10]

Themes

Hounsom's writing covers themes such as gender roles,[11] reimagining myths,[12] and the different concepts of heroism,[13] as well as "the search for identity, and our lost connection with nature."[14]

Reception

Starborn was shortlisted in the 2016 Gemmell Awards for Best Fantasy Debut. The Independent listed it among the best fantasy debuts of 2015.[15] Sistersong was a finalist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award[16] and the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2022.[17] The AU Review describes it as: "authentic and well researched... the writing is as strong and beautiful as you could hope for, and the folkloric end result is fantastic."[18]

Bibliography

The Worldmaker Trilogy

Standalones

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lucy Holland . 2024-10-05 . Worlds Without End . en.
  2. Web site: sfadb : British Fantasy Awards All Nominees . 2024-10-05 . www.sfadb.com.
  3. Web site: Hounsom . Lucy . 2024-03-28 . Yes, we're also authors – with Lucy and Charlotte Breaking the Glass Slipper . 2024-10-03 . en-GB.
  4. Web site: 2021-04-05 . Sibling rivalry, murder and transformation feature in Sidmouth author's latest book . 2024-10-05 . Sidmouth Herald . en.
  5. Web site: Alumni. Redroofs School for the Performing Arts. 11 October 2024.
  6. Web site: 2020-06-01 . About Lucy Hounsom . 2024-10-05 . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Lucy Hounsom . 2024-10-05 . Worlds Without End . en.
  8. Web site: 2015-04-27 . Author Interview: Lucy Hounsom . 2024-10-02 . Book Club Forum . en-US.
  9. Web site: Schwizer . Fabienne . 2021-01-02 . REVIEW: Sistersong by Lucy Holland . 2024-10-06 . Grimdark Magazine . en-AU.
  10. Web site: 2015-05-29 . Event: Winstone's Sidmouth . 2024-10-05 . Laura Madeleine . en.
  11. News: Hughes . Sarah . 2015-04-12 . Feeding the Hunger – female writers are storming the male citadels of sci-fi . 2024-10-09 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  12. Web site: 2021-05-17 . Interviewing Lucy Hounsom — Runalong The Shelves . 2024-10-03 . Run Along the Shelves . en-US.
  13. Web site: Yon . Mark . 2015-03-07 . Interview: Lucy Hounsom – SFFWorld . 2024-10-03 . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2021-04-05 . Sibling rivalry, murder and transformation feature in Sidmouth author's latest book . 2024-10-09 . Sidmouth Herald . en.
  15. News: Barnett . David . 2015 . Female SFF Writers you should read now . The Independent.
  16. Web site: locusmag . 2022-08-01 . 2022 Glass Bell Award Shortlist . 2024-10-07 . Locus Online . en-US.
  17. Web site: Lucy Holland . 2024-10-07 . Redruth Book Feast . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Sloan . Jodie . 2021-08-11 . Book Review: Lucy Holland's Sistersong is a compelling folkoric fantasy, perfect for fans of Circe . 2024-10-07 . The AU Review . en-AU.

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