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

Rachel McCarron

Rachel McCarron writes LGBTQIA+ fiction set in the latter part of the twentieth century. In her day job, she is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner with a special interest in elderly medicine and palliative care. You can find her on Litopia @sedayne

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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

Songs for Beginners

Normal People meets Daisy Jones and the Six with an LGBTQIA+ twist

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 ”

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The Backstory

Although my own story isn’t like Hannah’s, I’ve drawn from memories of being a singer and musician in my youth. Songs for Beginners is a story for all those, like me, who have reached adulthood and still feel 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