There's a face in my mirror; somehow, I know it's me.

Rachel McCarron

Writing, music, care of the elderly, and hula hooping. Find me on Litopia @sedayne

Secrets

1. I was born in Wales but moved to England before I was one year old, so I never mastered the accent.

2. I have seen every episode of Bojack Horseman at least six times. Nothing else has taught me as much about human nature.

3. I prefer A Moon Shaped Pool to OK Computer (shush - don't tell anyone).

Rachel McCarron is known inside the Colony as Sedayne

Portfolio

Through with Blue

The last time I saw Abbie...

This short story was published in Issue 5 of Thin Skin, a magazine showcasing older writers.

It’s free to read.

Feel free to share.

Thin Skin – Through with Blue by Rachel McCarron

“ Quirky & Poignant - Litopia Lab ”

The Backstory

This story was worked up in the Litopia Lab from draft to final version within a week. It's a real testament to the power of combined viewpoints and expertise. It's my story, but I couldn't have made it so good without Litopia. It's one of my favourite stories I've written, and the fact that it was accepted by Thin Skin, whose acceptance rate is only 2%, makes me love it all the more.

The Craft of Half-Remembering

What's the Word for Those Words?

My first short story, featuring characters from Songs for Beginners, is published in the the current issue of Mslexia (issue 107) along with an author interview. The story forms part of the Mslexia Showcase on the theme of Blue, judged by author Amy Key.

“ Rachel McCarron's 'The Craft of Half-Remembering' is a moving story of a woman with dementia grasping for what she knows. I loved this as it was so unusual to read an account of dementia written in the first person... It is a story that reaches towards blue. - Amy Key ”

Mslexia

The Backstory

This was my first ever submission of a short story, and I was amazed that it was chosen for Mslexia's Showcase. I wrote it specifically for the Showcase with the theme of Blue as a starting point. As usual, I started with the final scene and worked towards it. As usual, Neil Harper insisted on a guiding role. But this is Lillian Harper's story.

Songs for Beginners

Normal People meets Daisy Jones and the Six from an LGBTQIA+ perspective

North Wales, mid-1970s. Bewildered by feelings of attraction and loathing towards other girls, Hannah Thomas becomes one of the lads. Singing in a rock band, she discovers an intimate connection with guitarist, Neil Harper. But there is another side to Hannah’s sexuality that she longs to explore. From small town to big city, through loss and separation, Hannah finds sexual freedom. But at what cost?

“ A masterpiece in coming-of-age fiction, exploration of human character, sexuality, and relationship dynamics – Claire Gallagher ”

The Backstory

This is Hannah’s tale, not mine, but I’ve drawn from memories of being a singer and musician in my youth and the feelings of isolation that come with being of the ‘wrong’ class, gender and sexuality. Songs for Beginners is a story for everyone who has reached adulthood and still feels like an outsider. I suspect there are a lot of us. Read the first few chapters here. If you would like to read more, please get in touch.

More About Rachel McCarron

I like big books, and I cannot lie...

1. The Last Chairlift - John Irving

889 totally absorbing pages.

2. The Book of Form and Emptiness - Ruth Ozeki

560 pages of a beautifully moving story.

3. Lessons - Ian McEwan

A mere 496 pages, my favourite by a favourite author.

Children's novels I keep on reading

1. Fire & Hemlock - Diana Wynne Jones

The most re-read book over my lifetime. If anything has shaped me, it's this.

2. Charlotte Sometimes - Penelope Farmer