Lucy Holland is the bestselling author of Sistersong, a reimagining of the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters’, encompassing fantasy, historical fiction and themes of gender identity. The book was a finalist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2022. Song of the Huntress, her second historical fantasy novel, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2024. As Lucy Hounsom, she wrote the Worldmaker Trilogy. Her debut, Starborn, was shortlisted in the 2016 Gemmell Awards for Best Fantasy Debut. She worked twelve years in corporate account sales for Waterstones Booksellers before becoming a full-time author. Lucy co-hosts the intersectional feminist podcast ‘Breaking the Glass Slipper’, which combines her passion for elevating the voices of women and marginalised creators with a love of speculative fiction. The podcast won Best Audio in the 2019 British Fantasy Awards.
She holds a BA (Hons) in English & Creative Writing from the University of London and completed the MA in Creative Writing under Sir Andrew Motion in 2010. During her childhood, she worked as a professional actor on stage and screen, which provided a strong foundation in public speaking. Lucy has given talks, participated in panels and hosted workshops at various events and venues, including the Science Museum London, the British Library, MCM ComicCon, Barcelona Festival 42, Cymera Festival and Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, on topics ranging from myth, folklore and fantasy worldbuilding to public speaking for authors. She has given readings and discussed her work at the universities of Exeter, Bath Spa, and Royal Holloway. In June 2024, she was selected by UNESCO Cities of Literature as one of the ILX10: rising stars of UK Writing.
Lucy lives in Devon with a black cat and a bedroom full of books. The history and landscape of the UK’s West Country is very much a part of her writing.
Recent Publications
- Song of the Huntress - Pan Macmillan, 2024
- Sistersong - Pan Macmillan, 2021
- Starborn - Pan Macmillan, 23/04/15
- Heartland - Pan Macmillan, 24/08/17
- Firestorm - Pan Macmillan, 14/12/17
Awards and residencies
- Awarded a 3 week residential exchange in Barcelona, funded by UNESCO Cities of Literature Exeter & Barcelona - May-June 2023
- Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award - Finalist for Sistersong, 2022
- British Fantasy Award for Best Novel - Finalist, 2022
- Best Audio - British Fantasy Award - Breaking the Glass Slipper podcast - exploring women's stories in sci-fi, fantasy & horror writing, October 2019
Current Events and Projects
- One of UNESCO City of Literature's ILX10: Rising Stars of UK Writing - June 2024
