This month our spotlight falls on Paula Sheridan, author of Finding Penrose — a historical novel that has been steadily drawing readers and even catching the eye of film producers. It's a deeply personal book, based on the true story of her "grandfather," Penrose Matsile, and his journey through 1920s Colonial Africa.
We interviewed Paula Sheridan, author of the incredible true story, Finding Penrose. Paula is giving away copies of her true story, so enrol to receive chance to win a copy.
Receive a copy of Finding Penrose
We caught up with Paula to talk about the story behind the story.
About the Book
On a desperate quest for his identity, Penrose confronts a dangerous world — and the question driving the whole novel is whether he'll reclaim his past before the shadows seal his fate.
Paula's writing tends to weave meticulous historical research together with high-stakes suspense, and her work has drawn comparisons to authors like Kate Mosse and Glenn Cooper.
Why this story
For Paula, this one is close to home. The main characters were members of her own family, which is exactly why she's so protective of how the story is told — she doesn't want the people at its heart turned into someone they weren't. More than anything, she'd love to connect directly with readers and build a community around Penrose's story, which she feels deserves a wider global audience.
Beyond the Book
Paula is also a champion of the wider writing community: she's the founder of the Page Turner Awards, an international contest that helps authors and screenwriters get their work in front of industry professionals, and she runs the Secret World Writing Retreat in the hills of Andalusia, Spain.
What Readers are Saying
The response has been warm. The Asian Review called it "an irresistible human song of a novel," and fellow readers have described it as moving, emotive, and a story that simply must be told.
Find Out More
Finding Penrose is available now on Amazon, and you can follow the book and the film project at findingpenrose.com.
Paula Sheridan Q&A
Welcome Paula!
Hello, Thanks for inviting me to chat with your reading community.
Firstly, you’re asking
1. Who am I and what do I do?
"I'm Paula Sheridan, an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady! When I'm not writing compelling stories or running my businesses, you'll find me cuddling my fur babies and dreaming up their next misadventure."
2. What is your latest book called?
"My latest book is called 'Finding Penrose,' and let me tell you, it's a real page-turner! It's the heartwarming true story of a man who spent his life searching for his identity, all while becoming the glue that held my family together."
3. You asked What inspired me to write it?
"Well, apart from the obvious fact that Penrose's story is simply too good not to share, I made him a promise decades ago that I'd write his tale. And you know what they say, a promise is a promise, even if it takes you forty years to keep it!"
4. What was your research process like?
"Research for this book was like going on a treasure hunt, except instead of finding gold, I uncovered priceless family memories and anecdotes. It involved lots of long chats with my mom, digging through old photos, and occasionally bribing relatives with baked goods for their stories."
5. What do you love about writing?
"What's not to love? Writing is my escape, my therapy, and my way of connecting with people worldwide. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to stay in my pajamas all day and call it 'work'!"
6. What is one piece of advice you would give to anybody else who wants to write a book?
"My advice? Don't let anyone or anything stop you from putting pen to paper. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself, believe in your story, and remember, even the greatest novels started with a single word."
With all the nonsense going on in the world today, this story looks like it needs to be read and I'm going to get a copy.
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