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

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 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

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