Joanna Barnard
Joanna Barnard is represented by Juliet Mushens
Joanna Barnard is an English Literature graduate and works as a counsellor and Writing for Wellbeing practitioner.
Her debut novel, Precocious, won the Bath Novel Award in 2014 and was published by Ebury Press in 2015. When unhappily married Fiona meets Mr Morgan, her former English teacher, she is drawn into an affair with him. But what really happened between them when she was 14? And can her memories of the relationship really be trusted?
Joanna’s second novel, Hush Little Baby, was published by Ebury Press in 2017. When baby Oliver's arm is broken and nobody can, or will, say how it happened, it becomes obvious that everyone in the family is keeping secrets.
A Northerner exiled in Surrey for several years, Joanna still occasionally feels homesick for flat vowels and proper hills.
Praise for Precocious:
‘What a fabulous debut! ... a writer of great talent, she tackles a difficult and complex subject with such sensitivity and skill’ — Louise Douglas
‘Unsettling and compelling…’ — Woman And Home
‘a memorable, powerful and fascinating read. Joanna Barnard has skilfully, subtly and with great compassion written a gripping and provocative tale that deserves to be read’ — LoveReading
Praise for Hush Little Baby:
‘Beautifully written, clever and compelling with characters that leapt off the page. It kept me guessing all the way through ... and I never expected that ending! Excellent.’ — Claire Douglas
‘Hush Little Baby by Joanna Barnard delves deep into an emotional scenario that feels powerfully true to life. Sharply observed, authentic and moving, it gripped me until the final devastating twist.’ — Samantha King, Author of The Choice
‘Raw, emotional and honest, this is a gripping read which tackles many taboos about parenthood’ — Claire Allan
Rights sold:
Precocious: Ebury (UK), Proszynski (Poland), De Agostini (Italy)
Hush Little Baby: Ebury (UK)