I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer. I’ve also long been haunted by the sea, even before I knew the full story of my grandad who inspired How to be Brave, the novel that finally got me my book deal. I live with my husband on the outskirts of Hull – the UK’s 2017 City of Culture – where from my bedroom window I can almost see the waters of the River Humber, an estuary that inspired The Mountain in my Shoe. My children have grown up and left home, so I fill that void with writing. It’s filled many voids over the years.
I remember sitting as a child in my father’s lap while he tried to show me guitar chords. He was a musician. But my small fingers couldn’t do it. I was three. His music sheets fascinated me though – such strange language that translated into music.
My mother taught languages, French and English; I probably inherited her fluency with words. I knew from being small that I wanted to write, to make magic as I felt it was.
I love all forms of writing. My short stories have won the Glass Woman Prize, the Eric Hoffer Award for Prose, and the Aesthetica Creative Works competition, as well as shortlisting twice for the Bridport Prize and being published in a variety of UK magazines. My first play, Afloat, was performed at Hull Truck Theatre. My Hull Daily Mail colmuns garnered love/hate criticism.
My debut novel, How to be Brave, was released in 2015. It got to No 4 in the Amazon UK chart, and was a Guardian Readers’ Pick.
My second novel, The Mountain in my Shoe, was released in 2016 and was inspired by my time with children in care. It explores what family truly means, and how far we’ll go for those we love. It longlisted for the Guardian Not The Booker Prize.
Maria in the Moon was released in 2017, and was a Must Read in Prima, Red, and the Sunday Mirror, as well as being widely reviewed by the press. It was compared to the early works of Maggie O’Farrell.
The Lion Tamer Who Lost was released in 2018, and described by the Daily Express as ‘captivating and engrossing’ and by Good Housekeeping as ‘heartbreaking and uplifting.’ It was a Love Reading Star Book, longlisted for the Polari Prize 2019, and shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year 2019.
My fifth novel, Call Me Star Girl, was released in April 2019, and is quite a departure for me, in that it’s a psychological thriller. It won Best magazine’s Book of the year and longlisted for the Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize.
I Am Dust came out during the lockdown of 2020 and was a Crime Monthly magazine pick. I also wrote my memoir, Daffodils/Eighteen Seconds, during the 2020 lockdown, and End of Story, a dystopian look at a future world where books are banned, which got me my agent Emily Glenister. This Is How We Are Human came out in 2021 and was a Clare Mackintosh August Book of the Month pick. Nothing Else came out in 2022, and End of Story (Hodder) arrived March 2023, via my pen name Louise Swanson, and was a Magic FM Book Pick, a Sophie Hannah Dream Author Book Club pick, and reviewed favourably in SFX magazine, Best, Woman’s Own and Heat. This was followed by my memoir Eighteen Seconds (Mardle) in April 2023.
Louise Beech/Louise Swanson 
Just found you, and your blog. Inspirational. I too have been writing for what seems a lifetime, always pushing stories in drawers, never taking the plunge so never getting a rejection. I too have written on scraps of paper since childhood, making up stories and plays for my toys to enact. I think it’s about time I took myself and my writing seriously. A huge thank you.
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I am so so happy to hear this, Dee! Wonderful. Writing is pure joy and always there. Lots of love and luck with it all! x x x
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Hi Louise
Great blog, great website. I have bought both your books and they’re on my kindle to read. I’m working on my second book to send to the publisher on Monday so limited time for reading, as I’m also a full time English teacher in a secondary school. Who is your agent, by the way? I’m always interested in who represents who.
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Hey Rose,
Thank you so much! I hear you on the time to read, so totally understand. I have soooo many books that I long to read and less time now than ever. I will look up your first one. Good luck with book two! I don’t have an agent. Just little old me. Who is yours?
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Hello, Louise. I came across your article in the Bloomin’ Brilliant Books blog today and figured this was probably the best way to communicate with you. I have never written to an author before but why not? I wanted to let you know that I just finished The Mountain in My Shoe on holiday and loved every word. I devoured it as slowly as I could to best savor it. I have just ordered How to Be Brave and look forward to Maria in the Moon. I’m a picky reader with a 500+ TBR wishlist–and while I enjoy many literary genres and most of what I read, every once in a while I find a stunning novel that lingers in my head. Thanks to the Guardian’s Not the Booker for introducing me to your works. And thanks to you for the pleasure I had and will have in reading your books. Cheers.
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Hello there! Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to write to me! I am HONOURED to please such a ‘picky’ reader. (I’m picky too, for the record!) Thank YOU for the pleasure you’ve given me by telling me. Have a wonderful Sunday, and do keep me updated on what you think of the others.
Louise xxx
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Hi Louise, I came to your library talk in Willerby last year when you talked about your writing journey. I do a blog for the Romantic Novelists Association (hints & tips for new writers) and I wondered if I could interview you, specifically about the importance of persistence? Your story was just so inspiring and I really think it applies to any genre.
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Hi Jenni! Of course. That would be wonderful. My new novel (out in paperback next month) is a romantic novel anyway! Here is my email, feel free to drop me a line, and ask away. Louise@joelou.karoo.co.uk
Louise x
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Hi, I recently discovered a not so distant uncle called Ben Beech who moved to Africa and was associated with Lions, he would have been from the West Country born in the 19 noughties. Could this be the man you have written about? I have a photograph of him if you are interested. Reading your book at the moment as is the cousin of the Ben who loved lions that she talks about.
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Hi Nick! Ah, no Ben is entirely fictional (his surname is Roberts in the book) but what a fascinating coincidence, esp since these are a theme in the story! Really hope you’re enjoying. Louise x
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Morning! Thought it about time to catch-up on the few books of yours I’ve stupidly let pass me by! Decided I’d begin by having a nosey on here, and was giddy beyond words, to see a photo of a clearly elated me, attending one of your book signings! Ah Louise, you truly are one of the loveliest, genuine and most caring people I have the pleasure of knowing – and aside from your brilliant writing, you take time to meet, greet and spend time with your many fans, always with a smile and never cross when a phone’s held at arm’s length as a blinding flash explodes in your face as fans sardine you into shot….oh yes, I’ve witnessed it!! And so Lady Beech (too soon?), I shall make it my mission, to update the ‘Beech’ residence, currently vacant on my bookshelf, and get my missing three ordered forthwith!! Feel free to edit if I’ve gone on a bit….xx
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Ah Babs!!! You’re lovely. Thanks for taking the time to come to my humble little website! I need to find time to write more for it. And I DO love meeting people (you!) and chatting books, and signing them. Always. Have the loveliest day! xxx
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Is the English used in your novels use contemporary everyday english? I want to improve my English and this is why I ask.
THANKS
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Yes, it is!
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